The daily gazette., 1882-10-31

New YORK, Oct. 30-This evening,
shortly before the customary hour for the
assembling OF the employees concerned in
the nights performance, Abbey's Park
Theatre (where Mrs. Langtry, the Jersey
Lily" was TO make her debut to-nigbt) was
discovered TO be on fire. The building with
all its contents was destroyed, the loss being
estimated at $685. Henry Clark and
William L. Doran, stage hands, were driven
to the upper windows by the fire, and in
jumping out were injured. The origin of
the fire is uncertain. It started in the pros
ccnium box, behind private box, appar-
entity in the partition wall, perhaps caused
by the bursting Of gas pipe. The fire
spread rapidly, and was beyond control
when help arrived. Much delay was caused
by the failure of the automatic alarms on
the stage to work, and likewise of the Bah
cock fire exinguishcrs. Ten minutes
elapsed before the arrival of the iiremen,
and then the hames were breaking through
the roof and the building was doomed.
From the balcony ofthe Albemarle Hotel,
two blocks away, Mrs. Langtry and Mrs.
Labouchere viewed the confagration with
gratitude for their narrow escape from u
terrible fate. Mrs. Langtry had just finished
packing her wardrobe in which she was to
appear in the evening, and was ON the point
OF sending it to the theatre, when the fire
broke out.
Mr.. Abbey Immediately made arrange
ments to open next Monday night in the
Grand Opera House with Mrs. Langtry in
Gan Unequal Match.''
The theatre was small hut elaborately dec
GRATED. The main entrance was on Broad
way, through a three-story building, in
which were stores and offices, and on the
third floor was the property room. This
was an old building. The theatre itself was
built in 1874. II extended from Twenty
second street half way to Twenty-iirst street
Oh Broadway, the stage entrance being Oh
Twenty y-second street. 1t had been newly
frescoed and upholstered in preparation for
Mrs. Langtry's debut. The scenery for the
play was costly and elaborate, especially
that for the second act, being painted ON
satin and hand-embroidered 1t was all de-
stroyed. There had been no rehearsal to-
day, but merely scene setting for Mrs.
Langtry. The fire spread so rapidly that
valuable paintings could not be removed
from the office.
Mr.. Abbey estimates his loss at over $780,
900, and his insurance is Sl05,00O. The
building belonged to the McComb estate.
Mr.. Abbey was on his way to the theatre
when the fire broke out, and he at once
hastened to inform Mrs. Langtry of his mis-
fortune. She is now suffering from nerv-
business and disappointment.
Mr.. jefferson was to follow Mr.. Florence
at the Grand Opera House on Saturday
week next, but Mr.. Abbey thought that,
under the circumstances, he would cancel
his dates. Mr.. Florence had another week
to run from Saturday next, but surrendered
his right. In regard to tickets sold every
thing will be made satisfactory.
The losses are estimated as follows G.
H. George, mural decorator, who occupied
a store under the theatre, $4,000 Parsons
s. Scarlett, occupying the second floor,
tailors, $4,000 l.. II. Goldsmith, fruit
dealer, $4,000 Samuel Dunbar, druggist,
$4,000 building, 0,000.
Shortly before II O'Clock tonight John
Lee, stage carpenter at the theatre, was
reported missing and it is thought he
perished in the flames.