Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1882-10-31
BURNING OF A THEATRE

BURNING OF A THEATRE
Mrs. Langtry Watching the Destruction of
the Park Theatre ON the Eve OF
Her Opening Performance.
Tho preparations for the evening per.
in the Park theatre, where Mrs.
Langtry was to make her Ameri can bebut
we're about completed at half-past four
Monday afternoon, when some one cried
' Fire. and half dozen at the same
instant saw flames about the proscenium
partition Oh the right looking from the
audience.
The employees tried to put out the fire
They first attempted to use
the fire annihilators that were near at
hand, but the effort to reach them failed
utterly. Then an attempt was made to
get out the stage hose, but the flames
spread with frightfully suggestive rapidity.
Then the men rushed to the fire alarm,
which connects directly with the head
quarters Of the fire department. Mean
time the flames had spread like fire in
stubbles. Stage Carpenter Henry Clark
with intrepid bravery went up into the
flies to try and beat down the burning
scenes. He was enveloped in fire and,
finding his retreat cut off, got out on
the roof by one of the exits and
ran madly toward the edge in
plain sight of the ten thousand spectators
who had already gathered in the streets
and were multiplying to hundred thou
sand. The strong wind drove the flames
toward him until he was compelled to
drop from tho roof to the top of the vesti-
bule, which covers the Broadway entrance.
There he lay stunned, and it seemed as if
he must roll off into the street. He was,
however, soon assisted by some Of the
iiremen and by spectators. who reached
him from the iuw.ss stuvieS .! the building
and carried him without further injury to
tho street. He was dreadfully burned
on the face and hands and hal inhaled
smoke and fire. He was taken to tho
New York hospital His injuries were
fatal. William f. Doran, a
scenic artist, after aiding in the vain effort
to extinguish the fire, was driven to the
rear of the theatre ON Twenty second
street, where he went through a counter
part Of the fearful experience of Clark on
the Broadway side. Doran was compelled
to leap from an upper window. He
dropped on projecting cornice, breaking
his leg in tho fall. lie was taken to the
New York hospital, where it was found
that tho fracture of his leg was his only
injury.
These scenes excited the utmost conster-
nation among tho great crowds in tho
streets, among whom the widest reports
were spread.
At 4:5S the flames burst out of the roof
of the theatre, sending great showers of
sparks and flaming fragments Of canvass
sailing on the strong breeze westward.
Large quantities of these sparks fell on
the neighboring roofs and some of them
set fire to the building occupied
by Goupil & Co., picture deal
ers, at tho southwest corner of
Fifth avenue and Twenty-second street.
This fire was soon put out. The body of
the theatre was sheet of flame and sent
up great light that attracted attention
in all parts of tho city. Part of the walls
soon fell over ON the roof of tho corner
building, the top floor of which was used
as a store room and property room. The
flames worked their way to this room
from tho theatre and destroyed the entire
floor.
Mr.. Abbey first heard % his theatre
being on fire whilc on his way to the
building. He at once hurried to the Al
bermarle hotel, two blocks distant, where
Mrs. Langtry is staying, AID informed her
of tho unfortunate event. Although the
latter had been greatly pleased at tho
anticipation Of making her debut and was
very much shocked by this information, she
controlled her feelings well and went out on
a balcony of tho hotel to witness the cull-
fiagatiOn, remaining there for upward of
an hour. Mrs. Lanstry had just Gais he'd
packing her wardrobe for the evening s
performance of "An Unequal Match -
when informed of the disaster and barely
escaped losing her entiro wardrobe in the
flames. Tho wardrobe of the rest of tho
company, the elegant furniture which had
been specially made for this engagement
the costly scenery, some Of which was of
satin, hand painted and embroidered, was
all lost, as well as the ordinary parapher-
MALTA of the theatre and severa! valuable
oil paintings which were in the box Office,
and which could not be moved.
Tho spectators were ranged in 4 colossal
amphitheatrc. They were shown up in
tho glare as they stood in tho Cumberland
house, tho old st. German hotel, tho Now
York club and the Fifth Avenue hotel
Boys and men, with baskets and trays
filled with photographs of Mrs. Lanstry,
pushed their way through, crying their
wares. Tho sales of the pictures were so
rapid that even the dealers themselves
were surprised.
Various causes are given for the origin
,ff I'M N,,f 10 1xY r.
how tho blaze did start
The theatre was small, but elabOratcly
decorated, 1t was built in 1874. 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 en-
broidered. 1t was all destroyed. Some Of
Mrs. Langtry's costumes for the nights
play were destroyed, with the. e.costumes of
the company. Mr.. Abbey's loss he csti.
mates at over 500, 900, and his insurance
is $40, 500. The building belonged to the
McComb estate. Mr.. Abbey was on his
way to the theatre when the fire broke
out and he hastened to inform Mrs. Lang
try of his misfortune. She is now suffer
ing from nervousness and disappointment.
He has secured tae Grand opera house for
Monday, when Mrs. Langtry will make
her debut in "The Unequal Match" :"
Mr.. Jefferson was to follow Mr.. Florence
at the Grand opera house on Saturd ay
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 sur
rendered his rights. In regard to tickets
sold everything will be made satisfactory.
The losses are estimated as follows
c. II. George, mural decorator, who oc.