The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1892-05-04
THg pEvIL.s AucrIoN. INoEEp.

THE DEVILS AUCTION. INDEED.
A Philadelphia Theatre and the
"Times" OF that City De-
stroyed BY Fire.
PHILADELPHIA, April 2S.-The most sen
satioual FIRE TIA. has visited this city in
years broke out shortly before O'Clock last
night on the stage OF the Grand Central The
atre, and before it was under control nearly
$looo, ,oo0 worth Of property was destroyed,
including the massive eight story annex
building Of the Tines newspaper.
PHILaDELrHIA. A pril 2s.-Ths destruc-
iion Of the Grand Central Theatre by fire
last night proves 10 have been far more ter
rible in its results than was anticipated.
SIX members % the Devils Auction
Company lie dead beneath the fallen walls
Of the building, and nearly three score peo-
pie are in The hospital suffering from
burns.
Ofthe men and boys ia the hospital seven
are in such a seriors condition that their
recovery IS doubtful. All were members of
the audience. Besides those who were 50
seriously hurt as to remain in the hospital
fully 50 are being treated for minor injur-
les.
The Times staff was called together at
noon to-day IN the former quarters of the
paper at the southwest corner of Eighth and
Chestnut streets, where its business Office
has remained. Proprietor Frank McLaugh-
lin announced to his employees that the
publication Of the Tfnes would be continued
as usual, and al took up the daily routine
Of their work. The portions Of the building
occupied by the tenants were cleared for the
c0mpositors, editors and reporters. Two
presses were secured for temporary use, and
viii be Immediately placed in the basement
Of the old building.
The losses, as near as can be estimated, are
as follows; Central Theatre building ss2,-
0o0. insurance $4,000, costumes and scenery
in Devils Auction, $4,000, insurance s., =
900 Twelve Temptations" $4,000, in
suranoe $500; Sea King, $4,000, no
Insurance. The Tines estimates its loss a.
about $4,000. exclusive OF the files, which
cannot be replaced, and Colonel McClure's
library.
The building. s0xi2o feet and eight stor-
les high, was estimated at $4,000. TIE
whole isinsured at about two-thirds its val
ne. The four lower floors OF the building
were occupied by Kosenko d Hs,eringtOn,
manufacturers Of metal work, whose loss
viii probably reach sl0)0ll Hamilton
& Diesinger's loss is 5000 on ock, half
insured aud on bailliug $4,000. Other
losses bring up the total 70 about 00,OOo.
STORY OF THE FIRE.
Just before S O'Clock, while the stage
hands were lowering from the h;es part
of the setting for the first scene, it became
entangled in the border lights In an in
slant the himsy canvas was a mass Of
flames. Tongues Of fire shot up to the rooi
and blazing scenery fell to the stage. In q
short time the entire rear portion Of the the
atre was mass Of fire.
The production rec uires the services Of a
large number OF female choris.ers and ballet
dancers. These stood in the wings and
about the stage in scanty attire, waiting for
the performances to begin. They were
thrown into a panic and rushed about
scarcely knowing which way to turn 70
avoid the quick-spreading flames. All were
/ it is believed, gotten safely out. The audi.
ence had Just settled down in their seats
awaiting the beginning Of the performance
/ when they were startled by the fash that
came when the scenery caught, which could
/ be plainly seen through the lowered car-
tain. The next minute bright white fam,
shot through the curtain.
Everybody started for the exits Tht
weaker ones were born down and crushed
under foot. one man, maddened or brutal
lied by excitement, drew pocket knife, anC
with its barred blade cut bis way through th,
mass ofpe3ple. Halfa dozen or more peO-
| pie were found at the hospital who had fall
en- victims 70 bis frenzy. None OF theii
wounds, however, were Of a more thar
painful character. This man was one Of the
first to reach the sidewalk.
Men and boys fell on the stairways lead
ing from the galleries, and were bruised and
scratched under those following them. Il
al ffty-two persons We're cared for at the
two hospitals near the theatre. Everybody
was outside the burning structure with
in two minutes from the time the fire start
ed
The widest excitement prevailed on the
streets. Ballet girls in gauze and tight:
rushed bareheaded around, almost all o
them in a hysierical condition. The fire
spread with remarkable rapidity. and by the
/ time tie fire department reached the scene
the whole building vas a mass Of flames.
Looming away up above the rear of the
theatre was the Tasls annex building, occu-
! pied on the seventh hoor by the editorial
force and on the eighth by the composing
and stereoiyping forces. The city depart
ment Of the Tines was in the rear Of the
building the windows of It's rooms overlook
ing the rear oftLe theatre.
one Of the reporters saw from the wind
ow the flames shoot through the roof Of the
theatre. His CRY Of alarm warned every
body in tie room. Assistant City Editor
Wilson gTab5ed up his assignment book and
started for the elevator. folloved by all OF
the editors and reporters. Nobody thought
Of stopping 10 secure clothing or other prop
erty, the main idea being TO get TO the street,
seven stories below, as quick Is possible.
Everybody g5t oat safely. The scenes in
the composing room, whore about seventy
five people were a. work, were Of the same
character. Printers rushed from their cases,
not stopping to gather up any Of their be
longinss.
The wind was blowing IN 4 direction to
carry the flames from the theatre to the
newspaper building, aad in a few minutes
the latter structure was on fire, By $50
the entire interior had been gaHed.
They Died Fighting.
CnEYESNE WYo, April 29.-IHf5rmation
has jgst been received Of the killing Of two
l...r,a-afp io-s. flfares Cot c,a,.e- s,,a