Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1882-11-01
ENTREE.
tbbey's Park Theater Destroyed
by Fire, and the Jersey LiIy's
Debut Postponed One Week.
speoinl % the Csurisr.Journnl.


NEW YORK, October 30.-The Park
Theater, Broadway and Twenty second
streets, was totally destroyed by fire
this evening. The fire originated at
FIVE o'clock from the explosion Of a
calcium tank on the stage. The stage
hands attempted to extinguish the
FIRE, and fully fifteen minutes delay
resulted before an alarm was given.
VThe theater building was owned by
Joseph Agate, of Yonkers, and leased
by manager Henry 4. Abbey. The
house opened in April, 1874, with
Charles Fechter in Loves Penance.'
This FIRE is particularly unfortunate,
as Mrs. Langtry was to make her
debut tonight at the Park Theater
The first night Of her course is post
poned, and w. j. Florence having
kindly offered to cancel his engage
ment at the Grand 0perahouse, Mrs
Langtry will make her debut there
next Monday in IAN Unequal Match
Mr.. Abbey places his losses, in
cluding scenery, furnishings and
the ~oanceling Of the engagement,
at 100000. Mr.. Agate's loss on the
building is $4,000; fully insured. The
adjoining building, occupied as a drug
store, fancy goods establishment, ETC..
was damaged about $4,000. Mr..
Abbey is in receipt Of numerous
kilograms Of sympathy, one from John
T. Raymond, now in Detroit, being
particularly expressive. Henry Clark,
a stage hand, was seyeraly burned
about the head, handsand body. VIM.
Doran, scene painter, jumped from
the third story and sustained injuries
probably fatal. Thomas r.. Weston
was also injured. Several members OIL
the company lost their wardrobes
Fortunately Mrs. Laogtry's had moi
yet been sent down 10 the theater.
The seats in the house for the nights
performance sold for $1,000.
THE REGULAR PRESS REPORT.
NEW York, October 30.-Abbey'l
Park Theater, Broadway and Twenty
second street, burned this evening
four hours before Mrs. Langtry wai
to make her debut before an Ameri
can audience. The building, with all
its contents, was destroyed. Los
estimated at $250,OO0. Scores OF EN-
ployes on the stage at the time Of thu
FIRE escaped, with the exception 0
Henry Clark and William X. Doran
who we're driven to the upper window
by the FIRE, and, in jumping out, werl
badly injured.
THE ORIGIN OF THE FIRE
is obscure. 1t started 10 a prosceniun
box behind a private box, apparent.
in the partition wall, perhaps caused
by the bursting Of a gas pipe. TIL,
rumor that the scene painter had up
set a lamp was not authenticated. TIL
FIRE swept on rapidly, and was beyon,
. control when holp arrived. Mucl
delay was caused by the failure Of tn.
automatic alarms on the stage t
work, and likewise Of the FIRE extin
0uishers. Ten minutes elapsed be
fore the arrival of the 6remen, an,
then the flames we're bursting througI
the roof, and the building wa
doomed.
, THE L1LY's DISAPPOINTMENT.
From the balcony Of the Albemarit
Hotel, two blocks away, Mrs. Langtr
and Mrs. LaBouchere viewed tn
oonhagration. Mrs. Llngtry ha.
, just finished packing her wardrobe i
} which she was to appear in the ever
ing, and was in the very act Of send
ing it to the theater when the fir
broke out.
ABBEY's LOSS.
Abbey's loss is 100000. He i'm
m~ediately made arrangements to opeI
Monday night next in the Grand 0p
erahouse, with Mrs. Langtry in "A
Unequal Match"
THE THEATER
was small and deliberately decorated
The main entrance was on Broadway
, through a three story building, i
which we're stores and Offices, and or
the third floor the property room