Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1883-01-26
ANOTHER HORROR.


a Calc1um-Light Explosion 1t the Grand
Opera House In Milwaukee-Fiye Per
sons Seriously. and Three Of Them Fa.
tally Injured.
MILWAUKEE. January IL
A horrible accident took place at the Grand
Opera House tonight during the performances
Of the lights o. London" The orchestrs bed
just finished the interlude between the nrsI
and second acts. and the stage-manager waa
waiting for few minutes for the calcium
lights to be arranged. when an awful explosion
took place. The lights on the stage were put
out the scenery was blown into fragments,
and the utmost terror prevailed among the
members Of the company. who were all ready
for their work in the second act In = few
minutes the gas-jets on the stage were lighted,
and the full nature and result OF the accident
learned One OF the cylinders OF tho calcium
lights apparatus had exploded, and hvo men
were lying on the stage.
Doctors were summoned, and an fnvestiga-
ton showed the following casualties:
Albert Seymour, stage empioye, head hurt
BY . piece of the broken cylinder, died before
midnight.
Robert Farrington. manager of tho calcium
iisht apparatus. left knee and left hip shat
tered; died shortly Alter midnight
0ustaso otVuDo1s sta1c manu. ri8nt tc8 SUI
right side torn In pieces; Lct expected to live.
Richard Reed. stage hand. kaec injured.
James Foster, assistant manager of calcium
light, leg injured; condition regarded - dan
gerous.
Whom tho explosion occurred tho auaicnce.
which was very large, displayed the utmost
coolness. A few were disposed to rush from
the house. but . number Of lead ng citizens
rose In their places and cautioned the others to
keep cool and prevent panic. Their counsel
prevailed, and there was not the slightest ap-
pearance Of panic. Manager Collier and 9th
ers went to the front OF the stage and called
for the audience to remain seated. Oaudex.
leader OF tie orchestra struck mp lively air,
and the musicians played with all possible
energy, thus aiding In preventing stampede.
As soon-as tho gas on the stage wAs lighted,
Charles Williams, Golfers stags-carpe11ers
scizod tho remaining cylinder OF the oa1c1nln
light apparatus, bore II % ~ froueo{ 49,
n fn front - =
upon u. 70 iszp.s-~s
that there was no danger 70 tss fsoss 2. =,
house. #
Meantime the hre alarm had been sounded.
The entire city T. in stats OF uneasiness, 10
fuiting from the Ncwhal-House fire. As soon
- II was known that the alarm came from the
Grand Opera-House Thousands upon thou.
sands OF people rushed to the building, and
the widest excitement prevailed II was 10
ported that the house was on fro inside. and
this report decreased the alarm and excite
mcnt. As soon as It became apparent thai
the play could not go on tho audience was dis
missed. Most Of those present were ignorant
Of the terrible work on the stare. and, as they
passed out into the street. stated 10 tho crowc
49,
element Was soon quelled.
The accident was caused by the careless
ignorance OF the man managing tine apparatus
Most OF Golfers scenery and that belonging te
the house Is completely spoiled. The force OF
the oxplosion Is st.own by the fact that joist,
two by ton inches, was riddled TO xindling
wood. Several people were thrown clear
across the stska and one of ths injured was
thrown into the flies. No members OF the com
pany were injured.
The story Of tbs cause Of the explos on ID
thus told: One of the cylinders had been leak.
Ing. and was taken away for repairs. On re-
0lllng to cylinders Farrinston. for some rcs
con, concluded to put the oxygen gas In the
cy1indcr which had bcen used for hydrogen,
and vice versA tits stated. however, that he
either forgot or was unmindful tho fact that
thcre stili rcmainnd quantity of hydrogen
ia the cylinder into which hc had put the oxy.
ecn. The result Of this mixture was that
when tho light was applied tho explosion 90
curred. The cylinder was mado of malleable
iron, about thrcesixteenths Of an inch in
thickness, and appeared 10 possess great
strugth. The fragments were sent In all d.
rsctions, Kidding the scenery, the floor and
the waiAa
eomo Of the escapes were miraculous. One