Asheville daily citizen. [volume] (Asheville, N.C.) 1890-1900, 1891-04-28
IN PERIL AT THE GRAND.
A STAMPEDE AT THE OPERA
HOUSE LAST NIGHT.

Some One Hearing a Comm OtiOn
Yelled "Fire" and Came Near
Precipitating "A I.anic-ManaXer
Bald dwin's Presence of Mind.
There was an act at the Grand opera
house last night that was not down on
Manager Baldwin's bill, and one that
came very near resulting insevcral casu-
alties.
1t was caused by the presence of the
idiot who attends every performance,
and sits with his mouth half open all the
time to yell Fire" at seconds notice.
The Baldwin comedy company began a
weeks engagement at the Grand last
night. The play was "Linwood," a mil
itary comedy drama in four acts.
The house was filed comfortably, and
at least one half of the audience in the
parquet and dress circle was made up OF
ladies and children.
The play had gone through two acts
and the cast were nearing the close of the
third act, when commotion was noticed
in the upper gallery.
lntantly every eye was turned in that
direction. endeavoring to see the cause OF
the disturbance.
Play and actors were ignored for a
moment. Everybody wanted to know
what was the matter.
Then the idiot came in for his share of
the work.
He cried, "Fire. Fire!" at the top OF
his voice.
The cry was instantly taken up over
the house by women and men.
| Everybody sprang from their seats,
and the more excitable ones made wild
rush for the exits. Everything was con.
fusion and the hearts of stout men stood
still at the thought of the crush which
seemed inevitable.
Just at this juncture, Manager Walter
S. Baldwin, who was behind the scenes
at the time, appeared on the stage and
in voice that sounded loud above the
commotion, commanded the audience to
keep their seats.
That was the kew note, and men who
had been motionless took up the words
and begged all to be seated.
This had the desired effect. And had
it been delayed a minute the crush at the
exits must have caused serious injury to
dozens of people.
About one-third of the audience had
gotten out, and when quiet was restored
most of them returned to their seats.
Then Manager Baldwin came down into
the parquet and made a speech, reassur-
ing all present, stating that the panic
had been caused by fight in the upper
gallery, and that the officers had arrested
the man who was responsible. He also told
the occupants of the gallery that they
would be compelled to behave or leave,
that he was giving as good show as
was in his power, and he would have
orderly conduct. If they couldn't behave
he didn't want their money, and they
would be put out.
Manager Baldwin was loudly ap.
plauded at the close of his speech, and
the play was concluded without inter
ruption.
Wesley Derwin, waiter at Battery
Park, was before Justice Israel this morn
ing on charge of assault and resisting
an officer. Derwin is the man whose ar
rest started the stampede. He attempted
to l;et into the gallery BY telling the door
keeper that he had been in before and had
neglected to take a pass check when he
went out. When an entrance was re
fused him he became insolent, according
to the evidence, and was elected. Der
wins bond was fixed at 500 for his ap
pearance at the next term of the crimi
nal court.