Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1882-10-31
NEW YORK THEATRE FIRE.

, Additional Details of the Destruct;o l.
Fears that One of the Employ Perished
in the Flames.
New YORK, Oct. 3O.-Abbey's Park thea
ter, Broadway and Twenty second street,
burned this evening four hours before Mrs.
Langtry was to make her debat before an
American audience. The building and all
thu contents were destroyed. Estimated
at $250,00O. Scores of employees were on
the stage at the time of the fire.
ALI escaped with the exception
of Henry Clark and VIM. F. Dorm, who
were driven to the upper windows by the
fire and in jumping out were badly in
jured. The origin of the fire is obscure.
the private box, apparently in
that the scene painter had
upset lamp was not substantiated.
The fire swept 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 fire extinguishers. Ten minutes
elapsed before the arrival of fremen, and
then the flames were bursting through
the roof and the building was
doomed. From the balcony of the
AIbemarle hotel, two blocks away,
Mrs. Langtry and Mrs. Labouchere viewed
the confagration. Mrs. Langtry had just
finished packing her wardrobe in which
she was to appear in the evening and was
in the very act of sending it to the theater,
when the fire broke out. Abbey's loss is
100000. He will Immediately make ar
engagements to open Monday night next in
the Grand Opera house, with Mrs. Langtr Y
in an Unequal Match"
ANOTHER ACCOUNT.
The theater was small and deliberately
decorated. The main entrance was on
Broadway through a three story building
in which were stores and Offices, and on the
third floor the property room. This was
an old building. The theater itself was
built in 1874. 1t extended from Twenty
second street half way to Twenty first
street on Broadway. The stage entrance
was on Twenty second street. It had been
newly frescoed and upholstered in prepar-
alton for Mrs. Langtry's debut. The seen
cry for the play was costly and elabor-
ate, especially that for the
second act, being painted
on satin and hand embroidery. It was all
destroyed. There had been no rehearsal
to-day but merely scene sitting for Mrs.
Lanytry. The fire signal boxes failed to
act when the attempt was made, and the
stage hose and several fire extinguishers,
the employers were unable to work. The
fire spread SO rapidly valuable paintings
could not be removed from the Office. Mr..
Hamilton Weaver, stage carpenter, says
the stage hose worked all right and the
stage was flooded but the fire had reached
the flies. Mr.. Abbey was found
at the Brunswick hotel. His loss he esti-
mated at over 100000, and insurance
$105,000. The building belonged to the
McCoHbe estate. He was on his way to
the theater when the fire broke out. and he
fastened to inform Mrs. Langtry of his
misfortune. She is now suffering from
nervousness and disappointment. He has
secured the Grand Opera house for Mon
day, when Mrs. Langtry will make
her debut. Jefferson was to follow
Florence at the Grand Opera house
Saturday week, but Abbey thought under
the circumstances that he would cancel his
date. Florence had another week to run
from Saturday next but surrendered his
rights. In regard to tickets sold every
thing will be made satisfactory. Other
losses are estimated as follows: G. 81
George, musical director, who occupied a
store under the theater, $4,000; Insured
for $4,000. Parsons & Scarlet, occupy
ing the ground floor, tailors, $4,000;
partly insured. The building suffered to
the extent of $4,000; insured.
Tonight, John Leo, stage carpenter al
the theater, was reported missing. 1t is
thought he persisted in the flames.
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. Oct. 3Q-At noon to