Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1894-04-10

MILWAUKEE, Wis, April o.-The
Davidson Theatre, the finest play house
In Milwaukee and one OF the hand
soonest theatres in the country. was de-
stroyed by fire, which broke out be-
tween 4 and o'clock this morHing.
The valuable scenery carried by the
Liliputians, whose ten days engage
ment at the theatre was TO close on
Wednesday. is all gone. Manager
Rosenfeld, OF the company, says IL was
worth $4,000.
Shortly after S o'clock, when the fire
was seemingly under control, the roof
on which score or more OF the brave
fremen stood as they fought the flames,
went down, aud the brave men were
carried with IL TO the floor OF the audi
torium below.
Some were extrlcated from tho fur
mace OF flames in which the whole in
terror was now enveloped by their brave
and more fortunate comrades
WHO RIsKED THEIR IIvEs
to drag out the PROSTATE forms OF the
dead and Injured men.
Six or eight men were soon brought
and those who are able TO speak said
there must be ten more In the rnins
where death awaited them. For these
poor fellows there was no chance.
The burning roof had fallen on them
and they were roasted tn death IL they
had not beon killed in that terrible
plunge from the roof. cry OF horror
/ went up from the frenen who saw the
awful catastrophe.
The members OF the insurance patrol
were covering up the seats In the par
! Quette Of the theatre when suddenly
| light was seen through the roof. The
men In the theatre ran back just In
| time and the next moment the roof fell
In to the parquette. Several OF the
| men In the theatre were caught by the
falling timoers. The scene that follow
ed is never to be forgotten by those who
witnessed IL. For a moment allLeas.
dark, then suddenly
TREMENDOUS SHEET or FLAME
shot up and with IL came the cries off
the firemen who had fallen through the
roof 10 the theatre below. One man
was heard to cry: my God, help me,
AN roasting 10 DEATH"
The water was turned on and several
OF the iiremen who had fallen nearest
the front door OF the lobby were drag
| ged from the burning debris aud carried
out more or less injured. The Interior
OF the auditorium. soon became seeth-
| ing mass OF flames. which the hremen
valnly endeavored to subdDe 10 order 10
save their doomed comrades.
The first fatality OF the hre happened
before the more awful tragedy on tho
roof. Ollie Refs, a fireman, lost his life
while trying TO reach tha roof OF the
theatre before the roof fell. Ho had
put up a ladder from the northern wing
OF the hotel building which Is two sto-
ries lower than the theatre proper.
| when the ladder swayed and be fell
with IL TO the roof OF the wIbg. He was
carried away aud died In the arms OF
his comrades.
ASSISTANT CHIEF DEyER,
who was among those on the roof when
the crash came, said: 1.-The members
OF engine companies Nos. ), 4, ana ~
were on the roof, where the main por-
ton OF the fire was raging. without
moments warning the roof gave way
and down IL went with all OF the
men. Third Assistant Chief August
Jansen was among those who wcnt
down with the crash. He managed 70
catch a FIRE escape just as the roof was
swaylne and held on. We have tried
ALI wa can 10 rescue the men but cannot
reach them. Assistant Chief Jansen 10
among those who are missing"
l.. j. RoderlguezI. OF the Academy OF
| Music. said: ",lhe loss 70 Manager
Lud wig Rossnfeld. OF the Lilliputans,
will be between $50, 600 and $4,000.
THE DAVIDSON THEATEE
opeued In September. 1891, by the Emma
Jocb Opera Company. Manager Shsr-
man Brown said: "Ths original cost 70
| John and Alexander Davidson was ss-
tween $3.50, 900 and 100000. The loss'
OF course, is mainly on the Interior. Inc
walls will stand when all else u gone.
| There 10 no way 70 estimate above ns'f
OF the original investment IL VIII pe
at least a year. Of course, before We can
reopen. have no doubt the theatfo
will be rebuilt.
The following Is revised and cor
rect list OF the dead:
| Third Assistant Chief. August Janf-
sen. No. 265 Eighth street, Frank Nc
Gprk. Lieutenant Truck Company NO
4 and Acting Captain No. IA. sg7 PARK
street; Fred Kroesschmuer. PIpemsn
| Chemical Company No. 2; Captain
Archie Campbell, OF the Fire Boat
Foley, 72 Twebty-seventh street: Ailie
Ries, Company No. 3, killed oy falling
adder: James G. Freeman. Llenienans
Company No. 4; Frank "inns.
Chemical No. 4, found In balcony OF
theatre; Thomas Morgan, Essine Con.
pany No. /; John Farrell. Chemical