Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-05-31
A FATAL FESTIVAL.
Tremendous Crush in a Scramble After
Free Food and Drink.
MANY PEOPLE ThAhPLED oN'
. Number of Them kllieG--Others
Seriously Injured-FirSt untoward
Event of the Coronation FcsiiNi-
ties at Moscow.
ties at Moscow.

MOSCOW, May SO.-The popular fete OF
the coronation ceremonies, at which be-
tween 10000 and 10000 people were fed
and INDUCED in all sorts Of merrymakinS,
was held to-day on the Hodinsky Pam
onnosite the PetronslSy Palace, and was
the scene OF the first fatalities that have
marked the coronation festivities. This
free feast, which has always been the
nonular feature OF coronat!ons, has
hitherto been the occasion Of great deal
of crowding and goOd-natured fighting
for pIaces on the part Of the hundreds OF
thousands OF guests Of the city, but no
such gathering was ever witnessed on
the Hodirsky Plain as that Of to-day.
The crowds. which began coming long be-
for, daylight. finally became so dense and
81 eager TO obtain access 10 the free food
and beer. and the free amusements that
they would not be controlled. Men,
women and children were thrown down
and trampled upon. and were either badly
injured or killed, while others had their
lives crushed out Of them by the fearful
nressure OF the vast crowd. The police
and military finally succeeded in scatter
toe, the multitude so that there was 10
fuTtber DANCER. when IL was found that
a number OF persons had been killed.
The feast was held In the presence OF
the car and d distinguished company or
guests. who occupied a large paVNon
especially erected and elaborate!y deco
rated for the occasion. The great H0dln-
sky Plain, wherein Napoleon massed his
troops before marching into the city or
Moscow. Is fanked on the sides by tho
exbibftion buildings and the Moscow race
course. ana extends indefinitely into the
country. Upon il. besides the multitude
Of neople who enjoyed the hospitality Of
the city in eating. drinking, and INDUCING
in all sorts OF games and Witnessing
various performances, were encamped
vast army Of soldiers, consisting OF
e,ehty-three battalions Of infantry, thirty
squadrons OF cavalry. seven sotnias Of
Cossacks. and fourteen batteries OF artl-
lery. which the Emperor viii view on
June eth, the last day Of the festivities.
The part OF the plain devoted 10 the
festivities was directly In front Of the
palace. This wide grass-coyered space
was enclosed with Venitidn masts. hung
with bunting. flags, and shields. bearing
the arms OF the various cities and pro-
tables. open-air theatres. merry-go-
rounds. circuses, etc. almost innumera-
BILE. Surrounding these were hundreds OF
wooden booths filed with food such as
bread. cakes, sausages, meat-pies, caylare,
etc and in each booth was an immense
cask OF malt liquor or mead. the food AMI
drink being free to all who chose TO come
and pa-take OF II.
Throughout the night there was a con-
slant stream OF people making their way
10 the plain In order 10 be IN the fore
front when the food and presents should
be ready for distribution. and so dense
a mass OF humanity as had gathered
there. even I'm the early hours OF the
morning. was never before witnessed in
Russia.
While the crush was most intense, and
the curses, shrieks. and bowls OF pain
were at their height. an unknown woman
in the crowd became a mother. and she
ard her infant were trampled 10 death.