National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1882-02-25
AN EXCITED MILITARY BODY.
An Accident iu "The smusEicrs which
Might Have Proved Quite Serious.

Might Have Proved 0uitc Sert0ua.
The members of the National Rifles Corps are
very much excited over an occurrence which
might have resulted in serious II not fatal inju-
rcs to several of the redcoats The matter has
been kept quiet in order that full investigation
ascertained whether the thing was accidental or
was malicious act. It will be remembered by
those who witnessed the first presentation OF the
opera, "The Smugglcrs," at Lincoln Hall Friday
night, that when the file of soldiers, composed of
members of the corps, entered the stage they came
in over the elevated portion, which was erected In
the rear to represent the rocks clustered about the
smuggers' retreat. This elevation is about six
feet in height, and the passage-way was formed
by n two-inch board laid upon wooden horses,
which rested upon the
Floor OF THE STAGE PRorER
All the stage carpentcrng was done by Mr. Snutor.
the OF the stage carpenter ut FOrds, and his
experience In the business was regarded as
guarantee ofthe security Of the temporary staging
At the rehearsals aud during the first evenings
performance everything passed of smoothly. The
file of soldiers passed over the staging aud II was
used means of egress by other members of
e ScS "na Ss end from Us sG
Of the first evenings performance that the file of
soldiers occupied too much time in coming upon
the stage over the rocks, as they did not have
chance to complete the wheel In front before the
music began for their song. By hurrying good
deal they managed to accomplish IT, however, but
so II was arranged that tho file of soldiers should
CoME IN THROUGH THE WINGS,
while two sentlncls occupied the rocks This change
was made Just before the afternoon matinee on the
next day, aud II was not generally known even
to the members Of the company. There was large
audience at the matinee, and the opera went along
smoothly until the time for the entry OF the sol
ders. The file came in through the wings, in
accordance with the new arrangement, and had
marched to tho front At this juncture Mr.. Bar
row. one of the sentinels stepped on the staging
ron mi n
his foot on the board when 1t flew and he was
SENT sPRAwLIN0 DOWN BELOW.
At the same time cord which was fastened to
the board TO hold portion Of the scenery IN place
parted and that came tumbling down. Mr.. Bar
row, who had re eived o severe blow in the groin
from slancheOn and several bruises, quickly
scrambled to his feet and, replacing the board on
its supports, shouldered his. musket and went
ahead The noise of the falling timbers and Mr.
Barrow's emphatic "ouch" were heard by the
barrow recovered himself so quickly that the &c.
cdcnt was not generally noticed by the audience.
There was of course considerable excitement be-
hind the scenes, and Colonel Seligson, the stnge
manager, at Once hurried TO the spot TO ascertain
the cause. The stage carpenter at once declared
Ing, and that 1t had been arranged to
dINIs THR RIPLRs TUMBLE
as they filed on the stage. All sorts of rumors
were atoat and IL was slated that the cord had
been cut and one of the horses removed. The
opinion among the members of the Corps was very
general that IL was dasiardy attempt on the part
Of their enemies to make their part in the per-
fornance q failure. There was great deal ofex-
cited talk, and the feeling has by no means died
away. Colonel Burnside, who was in front Of the
stage and saw the accident, has been investigating
the matter, In conjunction with others. He told n
reporter of THE REPUBLICAN, yesterday that he had
been unable 10 hnd any II ason for supposing that
Il was due TO any other cause than an accident
He accepts Colonel Seligsons explanation, which
is that when the ladies stood on the staging TO sing
the "wine chorus" the rocking motion of their
bodies
MOVED THE BOARD OUT OF PLACE.
The only person that passed over II afler the
ladies leil was Mr.. John Pugh; but 1t is thought
that he stepped so lightly that the board was not
disturbed. The heavy martial tread OF Mr.. Bar
row, who came next, sprnng the trap. Colonel
Burnside says that he would be very unwilling To
believe that such thing was intentional, aud
stated that the cord had been cut, but an examina-
ton points To the conclusion that the cord was
broken by the sudden strain. In regard 10 the re-
moyal OF one of the wooden horses, 1t Is said that
stage carpenter while adherlug TO his belief that
the staging had been tainpered with, has produced
10 evidence in confirmation. The jaiIitOr says
that no one had access to the stage OK
cept the regular members OF the company
Colonel Scigson and Dr. Bond, who were behind
the scenes ut the time think that the disaster was
accidental and that the board was jostled out OF
place by the swayiug motion Of the chorus. The
fortunate change III the programme by which the
file of soldiers came In through the wings instead
more general character. The soldiers marched
so closely together that in all probability the en-
tire iile would have been plunged beneath the
stage. The Investigation Into the causes has re-
present the caso rests there. This matter still con-
tinucs tho principal topic Of conversation in the
gun room of the Rides armory.
-N--------