The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-12-31
Observation-Disclosures
PANIC ATTHE MALE ORPHAN asylum
A Lot Of Cotton Batting Caught Firc and
there Came Near Being Serious Con'a-
Cration-Dr. Kerr and Mr. Davis Hurt.

The annual celebration OF Christmas WIS
held yesterday afternoon at the Male Orphan
Asylum. The entertainment started under
the most favorable auspices. but came very
near ending in one of the ssddest catastrophes.
invitations had been issued by Mrs.Joseph
r. Gill. the efficient superintendent to quite
Il large number OF friends Of tho institution,
and by o'clock the lower floor Of the build
ing was crowded with visitors. Among them
were some Of tho best-known citizens
of Richmond. DR.. ". W. Parker
the president. was on hand. and
ably assisted Mrs Gill in receiving the
guests and making them fee at home. Among
the other members of the board or directors
present were Messrs. James ". Gordon -.
@. Davis. 4. j. Todd and Il. J.. Richardson
the latter accompanied by Mrs Richardson.
The friends of the asylum were further repre-
sented by Mayor Ellyson. MAJOR ana 1irs.
james r. Capers. Mr. and Mrs Elicit Cap
tain Thomas Cunningham and Miss Cunning
ham Mrs. iummle Cunningham. Lev. III Il.
Z. Kerr. Rev Or. George Cooper, Kew. ut:
w. ". l.audrum. Rev. Dr. j. V. Bledsoe and
Others.
The spacious reception room Was filed 10 its
utmost capacity with visitors. among them
very large number Of ladies and children, ana
when the entertainment opened soon after
o'clock several hundred spectators watched
the proceedings with intense interest.
large Chrstmas-tree. hansOmelY deco
rated with numerous toys filled the southeast
corner Of the room. Underneath It and along
the entire sOutheriy wall sheets OF cotton bat
ting had been spread IN imitation OF some
winter scene. As soon as Mrs. Gili took her
seat at the organ the orphan boys. some nifty
in number. filed into the room and grouped
themselves between the Christrnas-tree and
Tho plotferr9 which raos lrpuDlpt by IpY.
Drs. Kerr, bledsoe and Cooper
PANIC.
The performance began with an opening
chorus by the orphan boys whereupOn Rev.
Dr. Kerr offered prayer. Miss Lille 1ranern
played q solo on the violin. which was iOl-
lowed up by the boys. who sang The Christ
mas Bells" by MIR. James A. Gentry Inc
interest grew more intense when the arrival
OF Santa Claus was announced. The latter
promptly made his appearance and delivered
neat speech o. his juvenile hearers lie
closed his remarks by requesting the boys %
kueel down and say the Lords Prayer They
responded. and while the audience was listen
ing with undivided attention. one of the at
taches Of the institution struck q match % set
some red light on IRE. by some unfortunate
accident. before touching the red light he set
fire TO the cotton hat.ng, and within few
seconds the whole wall appeared abiaze.
The spectators AZ first supposed that the
fire was part Of the programme. but as soon
as they saw the tree elye.Oped III flames they
became frantic and mad.y rushed for tho
door and windows. Several ladies' succeeded
in making their way through the windows
before Mr. Richardson and others succeeded
in closing the blinds ia order TO keep out the
draft All the gentlemen present did their
utmost 70 pacify the ladies and children and
as fast as possible the room was cleared.
Ia the meantime the flames played havoc
D. Al
they would within a few minutes ignite the
ceiling and break through 10 the upper story.
There were about a dozen lighted lamps IA
the room and matters appeared very serious
at that time Mr.. ID. q. Davis. recognizing
the danger OK the situation. tackled the big
tree regardless oi the risk he WAS running for
his own lie. lie succeeded IN pulling down
the tree and a few minutes later some gentle
men brought in a tuO OF water and the fire
was soon eXtingushcd. The tree IN its fall
however struck Dr. Kerr and Mr. Davis. and
both gentlemen suffered some painful injuries
on the head Nj Davis head was for several
moments completely covered with sparks
and he received q bad wound on the back Of his
head he was 20 once taken 10 charge by Dr.
Parker and properly cared FOR lr Kerr
complained OK some pains on his head caused
by burns. but was able 10 ride home without
any assistance. Dr. Cooper had his hair
slightly singed and Major Capers was SOME
what burnt on his hands
Several ladies' tainted. but within q little
while uuiet was restored and everybody ex-
pressed his qualification that greater danger
had been averted. number of the visitors
preferred 10 return home. while the maiOritr
OF them followed the invitation of Mrs. Gill
and repaired TO the dining room on the floor,
where an elegant Christmas dinner was
served.
After the repast the presents that had not
been destroyed bv the fire were distributed.
and Others.