The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1883-01-20

Thursday night horrible accident took
place AZ tho Grand Opcra-HouSc, Milwau-
kec, during the performance OF The Lights
o. Iondon.n A special says: The orches-
ira had lust finished the intcrlude between
the first and second acts, the scene was set
Cor the second act, and the siagc-manager
was waiting a few minutes Tor the calcium
Nrbt 10 be arranged, when an awful eNplo-
sion took place. The lights on the stage
wore nut ont. the scenery was blown into
\, frocments. and the utmost terror prevailed
Il. .,,ono Tho members Of the company, who
r. - nro an ready fer their parts. In few
"a e,utcs the Cas-iets on the stage were
,nted. and the full nature and results Of
4 ~, accident learned. One Of the cylinders
K,I The calcium-light apparatus had eX-
b ,loded. and i've men lay bleeding on the
Stage. Doct r. were summoned, aud an
& investigation showed the following results +:
Albert Seymour. stage employe, struck
by piece Of broken cylinder; died before
midnight.
Robert FarinCtOn, manager OF the cal
cium-light apparatus, left knee and LETT
hin shattered; not expected to live.
Gustav Stuoben, stage-hand. right LEG
and right side torn in pieces; not expected
10 live.
Richard Reed. stage-hard, knee injured.
James Foster. assistant manager of cal
eium light. leg injured; condition regard
ed rs dangerous.
GOODNESS OF THE AUDIENCE.
When the explosion occurred the audi
cnco. which was very large. displayed the
utmost GOODNESS. A few were disposed 20
rush from The house. but a number OF lead
ING citizens rose in their places and cau-
Il III ., lr.gr, cool ars1 ,NraNgnt a
papie. Their counsel prevailed, and there
was not the slightest appearance OF panic.
Manager Collier and others went to the front
of the stage and called for the audience TO
remain seated. Clauder, the leader OF the
orchestra, struck up lively air, and the
musicians played with MI possible energy,
thus aiding in preventing a stampede.
As soon as the Gas on the stage was lighted
Charles Williams, Golfers stage-carpcn-
yer, seized the remaining cylinder
OF the calcium-lIght apparatus, bore it TO
the front of the curtain with the burning
gas still escaping, placed il in front OF the
audience. and cOolly sat down upon it 10
impresS upon the audience the fact that
there was no danger 10 the front OF the
house. Mean time the fire-aarm had been
sounded. The entire city is in a state OF
Nervousness resulting from the Ncwhall
House fire, and as soon as it was known
that the alarm came from the Grand Opera
House thousands upon thousands Of pco-
ple rushed 10 that building, and the Wild
est excitement prevailed. 1t was reported
that the house was abaze inside, and this
report increased The ala'm. As soon rs Il
became apparent that the play could not 90
on the audience was dismissed.
THE CAUSE OF THE ACCIDENT.
Most Of those present were ignorant Of
the terrible work on the stage, and as they
PASSED ont into the street stated to the
crowd outside that nobody was hurt. so
that the excitement was soon quelled. The
accident was caused by the careleSsness
and ignorance Of the man managing the
apparatus. Most OF Golfers scenery and
that belonging to the house is completely
spoiled. The force Of the explosion is
shown by the fact that jOiSt, two by ten
inches, was riddlcd to kindling wood.
Several people were thrown clear across
the stage. and one Of the injured men was
blown into the flies. No member OF the
company was injured.