New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-12-12
THE PANIC IN JOHNSTOWN.
TEN PERSONS KILLED AND EIGHTY HURT.
DISASTER WITHOUT RATIONAL CAUsE-AL
MOST INSANE CONDUCT OF HUN
DREDS OF PEOPLE.

Johnstown, Penn, Dec. 1.-THE accident at
Parke's Opera House last night is an illustration
of the highly nervous condition of large num-
Der of the people of this unfortunate city. There
has been more or less disposition TO 60 TO the
theatre whenever there was q chance, in order
to try 10 forget the horrors of last spring Other
amusements have also been eagerly sought for
the same purpose. These were some of the rca-
sons for the large audience in the theatre last
night, even though the play was as worn out as
Uncle Toms Cabin"
There is no exaggeration in saying that there
had been an underlined but unmistalxable feeling
of foreboding of coming i'll, and this is what led
to the slaughter last night Those who first
started ont of the house went from curiosity, but
they did so excitedy, and the instant effect was
panic. The bell which struck the alarm of fire
was so close 10 the theatre that it seemed to be
sounding in the building itself, and never was
confusion more precipitate among frightened hu-
man beings Strong men sprang upon the backs
Of those in front of them without regard TO SEX
The ferocity of the struggle by some of the
foreign mill workmen was as revolving as it was
disastrous in its results. Blind fury and brute
strength were unclaimed together, and the result
is seen in the list of dead and injured. What
began as an attempt TO get TO the street changed
as If by magic into riot without reason.
poor, bruised, delicate woman said this afternoon
that she saw two men actually stop TO fight, when
both Of them had an opportunity to escape One
Of them exclaimed, with oath: It's my life
or yours" and he knocked his antagonist down
No more deaths have resulted the Lumber Of
dead. as before stated, being ten. The following
is list of dead and injured, so far as known:
DEAD.
BLUGLER, Eddie age nine, Conemaugh Borough.
BURNS, Mrs. Wesley, forty, Of Somerset County
BURNS Miss Clara age nineteen daughter Of Mrs Burns
came here five weeks ago from Bedford County.
FoLER Isaac age sxty,eight @ coal miner who worked
here but came from Pens Creek, this county
FRISCHORN, George, Of Baltimore.
HoRNER George. age eleven jumped from TIE top gsl:
cy thirty feet down TO the parquette, and broke MS
MILLER John. colorcd Of cha.nbersourg. Penn: came
here after the flood He was waiter In restaurant
NESToR. Mrs John w. age twenty-five of this city.
SLONAKER. George age twenty-three teamster.
SERIOUSLY INJURED.
BLAho2KSBTTRNI TI, Stewart 0WEN' 00WWEENNs' Ans,rs AA6sFt
GLAUSEN James. STAUFIFER , Edward
RNGEH. RNG H. cIsrehce. iEq woRTHfNGToN. Richard
The total number Of those injured more or
less seriously is eighty.
The building in which the theatre was situated
the relics of the food that was left standing, while
other and mIch stronger structures near it were
destroyed Hendersons Morgue, where the dead
were laid was visited by thousands of people
to-day The funerals of the victims will take
place on Friday The theatre will not be re-
opened. The city officials severely criticised
for permitting the use of the building as theatre
as it is claimed that it was known to be unsafe.
There were 500 people in the house when the
panic occurred. Two hundred and forty of these
occupied chairs in the parqpette Possibly 200
more were in the circle and asles in the rear of the
parquette In the first gallery all the seats were
occupied and the aisles packed. In the second OF
top gallery, all the benches were occupied and
many were standing The cause of death IL
every instance the crushing at the doorway
leading TO the street While those within were
making frantic efforts 10 get ont, crowd OF
people without pressed up against the entrance
In order TO drive them away IL found necessary
10 turn a stream Of water upon them from fire
hose. The cause of the fire alarm was smoke
issuing from the chimney of kitchen in the rear
of the house of DR.. A. n. Wakefield, several blocks
away from the theatre.