The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-12-28
A PANIC In A THEATER.
TEN LIVES THE COST OF A SENSE
LESS CRY OF FIRE.

The Check-Taker Killed in Trying To
Stop Rush Down a Stairway-Nine
Children Crushed to Death at Bend
on the Gallery Stairs-Acts of Hero
ism.
LONDON. Dec. ga theater at Gates.
head, County Durham. was last night the
scene of frightful panic, in which. ac-
cording to reports received here, at least
ten persons. including nine children. were
killed outright and many injured. The
sight OF a blaze caused by a man in the
audience dropping lighted match on the
sawdust covered floor, caused some one IN
start cry OF Fire" and terrible panic
at once ensued. There was immediately
a wild rush for the doors, which, owing to
the savage crush and struggle, quickly be-
cane SO blocked that only few succeeded
at once in getting out. There was an espe-
cially violent rush for the staircase leading
from the gallery. The passage giving
access to this staircase became blocked
almost at once with persons who we're
striving their utmost &c escape, while
the staircase itself was filed with
struggling mass of humanity from the
check taker was killed In the midst of bis
heroic efforts to save the lives of Others. In
trying to restrain the crowd in its mad
career. he was thrown to the floor and
crushed to death beneath the feet Of the
panlc-striczen people.
TAKING OUT THE BODIES.
When the panic had subsided so that an
examination of the premises could be made
hNdfaa ~ r.fV,n ,las
been literally crushed out, were found living
on she staircase or near the door leediug TO
It, A constable who came to assist in the
work OF rescue, on dragging out boy who
was wedged among the struggling people
discovered that the lad was bis own son.
The boy, although living when rescued.
was terribly injured and died on the waV
to his home. The performance which was
SO terribly interrupted was the second one
OF Saturday attraction, being the panto-
mime Aladdin" The theater was literally
crammed with people. At 1890 o'clock a
shout Of "Firep created fearful scene.
The whole audience rose to their feet en-
masse and there was dire confusion.
In the midst of which were heard the
shrleks or women, many of whom tainted
APPEALS OF THE LESSEE VAIN.
The lessee of the house then displayed most
credttAble presence of mind. He stepped on
Seeching them to remain seated and soiemnly |
assured them that there was no real danger |
II they would do so. At that iuncture |
many others of the men present also |
showed that they retained their pres
ence ofsmindsby forcibly striving to restrain |
the mad rush OF the crowd for the i
doors, but their brave efforts proved Of no |
avail. The occupants OF the pit, and, in |
deed. all the spectators whose seats were in |
the better part OF the house, succeeded III |
escaping safely to the street. 1t was a sud |
den bend in the gallery staircase which |
caused the fearful jam in the exit. People |
who had fallen and were lying in heaps |
here screaming and groaning were trampled |
upon. AT last so many Of the struggling |
people had fallen that all passage for exit |
was effectually blocked by the mass of |
writhing human beings, and those still re-
naming on their feet were forced TO seek |
other means Of escape.
ACTS OF HERoIsM.
The occasion was more doubly memoir
able by several acts of heroism One man |
who had occupied a gallery seat jumped |
from the gallery ratings to the balcony
below and slid thence to the stage, all the |
time holding to a child by his teeth. Other
men rescued several women by similar
means. Meanwhile the fire was easily |
quenched. The police sought medical aid |
and assisted in extricating the victims from
the staircase, matter of utmost difficulty.
One child after calling out piteously
Save me-" ''Save me-" died before it |
could be reached. The corpses were laid in
an adjoining building and the injured were
taken to hospitals and other institutions |
The news of the catastrophe spread rapidly |
and soon thousands of frantic people were
rushing to the scene to ascertain the fate of
relatives or friends. Within few hours
all of the dead were identified. All
ba Of no
names of the dead are Casley. Robson,
two; Gregg, Garlon, Watson Bainbridge,
Murray, Waddington and Forster. The last
named was the check taker. The audience
numbered 300 persons. The company
members escaped in their costumes, and
when they returned they found that their
dressing rooms had been robbed of their
ordinary clothing. The lessee of the theater
announces that he will give tho proceeds of
the performance 10 the bereaved and will
close the theater pending az inquiry.
HOW THE PANIC STARTED.
LONDON, Dec. %, 1 A. MA statement is
made chat during the performance two
youths seated in the balcony insisted on
smoking They were warned to desss sew
eral times. They finally desisted but relit
their pipes soon afterward. The smoke of
tnelr pipes was seen issuing from she BAL
cony, and woman, becoming frightened
az the sight, screamed "Firep A man sit
ting near her Immediately gagged her with
his hand, but the mischief was done. The
gallery was occupied by 500 spec
tators, mostly boys Check Taker
Forster rushed to open the door. which had
been fastened. The struggle which ensued
was awful. Men thrust aside weaker lads.
who were trampled to death. Two men
were badly injured by jumping from WIN
dows. The lessee of the theater says that
tue alarm OF fire originated from the act of
boy IN dropping lighted match into
crevice filed with waste paper aud other
rubbish in his search for lost penny He
also says that two pals Of water sufficed to
Quench the fire