Waterbury evening Democrat., 1895-03-01

Torchbearer. and In n Moment He Was
Wrapped In FIames-Dresses of Two Ae-
tresses Caught Fire Also.
NEW YORK, March 1.-The large audi
ence which filled the Columbus theater
in West One Hundred and Twenty-flfth
street last night was startled by an awful
spectacle not down on the BILL and which,
but for the presence of mind and prompt
action of u policeman, might have ended
the evening of enjoyment with disaster.
They saw the clothes of an actor ON the
stage catch fire and burn furiously, in q
second enveloping the unfortunate man In
flames; but, Gained by the assurances Of
one cool head. they sat quietly through
the rest of the performance and did not
know when they left the theater that they
had witnessed tragedy.
The play was the melodran,a "On the
Mississippi" Tho second act-first scene
lis laid in New Orleans just at the time
of the Mardi Gras festivities. 1t Is a
front" scene showing square and
streets Of the city. and the drop CURTAIN
leaves only few feet Of space behind the
footlights for eight performers, who march
in with q great deal of noise and clamor
representing the MRrIii Gras profession
They arc all negroes grotesquely costumed
TO represent clowns, kings, Asiatics and
cannibals.
Two men carrying lighted fiAmbeaux
precede the group, and burlesque band
comprising a bass drum and kazoos, fol-
lows. Behind the torchbearers and In
front Of the big drum Henry d. Arnold
marched last night dressed as a Zulu
chief. His costume consisted of brown
tights, with long silk frinSes along the
sides, and a buShy belt and collar Of the
same stuff.
Torch Touched His Clothes
The performer walked across the mar
row space, halted. danced and sang to the
great amusement of the audience, and
turned to march off when the man carry
ing the big drum stumbled and bumped
into Arnold, throwing him against one OF
the torchbearers. The torch slipped from
the hand Of tho carrier and fell upon Ar
nold's shoulder.
The blaze touched the silk fringe 1t
ignited, and the next instant the flames
spread all over Arnold's clothing. Before
any help could reach him the man was
pillow of fire, whirling and tottering in
front of the startled audience.
A woman screamed. and the fright was
communicated through the entire house
The first cry of fire was caught up by 9TH
their seats and started up the aisle Sew
eral more soon followed, and it seemed as
though the whole audience was on the
point Of rushing for the doors, when Po-
nceman J. A. Smith Of the East One Hun
dred and Twenty-sixth Street station
rushed down the center aisle shouting.
Keep your seatsi''
Reaching the stage he turned to the au.
dience, and in e calm voice said: ladies
and gentlemen, don't be alarmed This
is all in the play"
His words acted like a charm. \ broad
smile overspread the faces Of those who
had started to leave their seats. and think
ing they had been deceived by a realistic
stage trick they shecpishly resumed their
places.
Two Actresses on Fire Also.
Meanwhile what was taking place on
the stage was equally assuring Arnold's
companions at the sight OF flames ran into
the wings, and the blazing man followed
them. Once behind the scenes, the two
hremen stationed ON tho stage threw him
to the floor and smothered the fire with
blankets.
But the flames were not easily extin-
guished The silk fringe burned like dried
grass, and before it could be extinguished
the blaze communicated to the dresses of
MISS Gan FORREST and Nina Hayward,
who stood in the wings. Their companions,
however. pulled of the burning skirts be-
fore their wearers were injured.
The play proceeded smoothly to the end,
and as the curtain descended on the last
act the audience slowly sauntered out
without knowing that they had seen O
man burning to death before their eyes
and having almost forgotten the unusual
incident.
Behind the scenes, however, the Tragedy
had beOn enacted. A hurry call was sent
In for the Harlem hospital ambulance, but
while It WAS coming poor Arnold rolled
about In agony on the floor apparently
experiencing no relief from the application
that was Administered by his friends His
whole body was horribly burned from
head to foot, and his grnans were heart
rendinI. Arnold was carried out and
hastily driven to the hospital There af
er n careful examination. the doctors said
he would probably not survive Arnold Is
so years old aud lives in Washington.
FarraEher "sests" Powers.
CLEVELAND, March IA very clever
scientific glove contest was given Mt the
Cleveland Athletlc el1h l,ctSvcen Jeff Pow
apl n iD.Sal fayafs4a anil Mil.