New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-08-22
DARKNESS DRIVES OUT SHOPPERS
FAILURE OF LIGHTS IN WEST ONE-HUN-
DRED-AND-TWENTY-F CAUSES
WILD SCRAMBLE OF CUSTOMERS
AND LOSS FOR MERCHANTS.

Harlem shoppers on the south side of West one
hundred nd wenty ffth-st, between Seventh ana
Eighth ayes. one OF the biggest shopping districts
of this city and especially busy Saturday nights.
were thrown into a state OF sem-panic last night
by the failure of the and incandescent lights
in the stores.
All the stores that side Of the street were
-aydcd al the time. about $3.50 o'clock, and the
, men. who constituted the great majority of the
shoppers screamed and out Of the stores as
fast as they could. followed by men and children
Harlem's Biggest shopping district is here There
are many large stores. and the proprieiors prepare
for busy night on Saturday Many have TO en-
poy extra clerks. and the nights business often
makes up the greater part of the weeks receipts.
Every store has some persons in it. and the ma
jority Of them were crowded when the lights went
out The people or the street, which was crowded,
were surprised at the sudden darkness. bat they
were much more surprised the rush of men,
women and children from the interiors of thc store
Women. screaming. talking. sasping and hurrying'
trying to hurry came out OF the stores on that
block. and men and children followed them all in
ha.f-ierrorZ"d state.
Inside the stores all confusion struggling
of people in every store. The store Of
l.. NJ. Blumstein. drygoods merchant. at Nos 25G
and 25s. was crowded at $3.50 o'clock. and his
arc and l25 incandcscen, lights were burning
brightly Suddenly the place thrown into
deep darkness. Not lamp Of any kind left
house women and they threw themS, Ives IN
body toward the entrances. There We're pushing
tanning. shouting. ana In one or TWO cases. where
the men We're cursine The few who had um-
breids left them behind. and there were several
basketsful of packages and small articles left on
the counters. TWO or three women forgot their
children. but they recovered them iatcr Mr.
Blumstcin and all Of his clicks shouted d. loudly
as they could that there was danger. but they
could not restrain the rush for the doors and in
few minutes the store was emnted q ali except
the clerks and the managers III gas lets Were
lighted in few minutes. but they mace only
The 4 irora Hotel which furnishes music AZ
Every light In the place Went out. and every
man in the plaoe went OUT, too. The proprietor ana
ten attendants afie~ hfteer minutes search, got
two small lam Is. which they placed on the counter
and lighted. Half an hour laier there were oniy
six persons in the place and they could hardly be
counted by the dismal lights on the bar
The long soda water counter At Engelhachs con
fectionery store at No. 300 was well flied last
night when the lights in the store went oui in' r."
screams. a clash Of glasses. rush Tor M
door. and IN a minute the store was empCvd.
In every store the block there were the arle
conditions. As soon as the nGhts went cnt' Gus
toners began a scramble Tor the door
All Of that section Of the city is supplied b. the
Mount Morris Electric Light Company. AT the plant
Of the company al Eighth-ave and one hundred
nd-twent nd-st at 10 O clock last night was
said that they had had a burn out" THAT was all
the information that could be gained from Two or
gineers in charge. Mr.. Blumston went around TO
find out. but the two men refused TO give him any
information.
The lights were cut from $50 O'Clock until nearly Il.
This was TOO late for the merchants along that block
and all were in state Of indignation at the electric
Nght company They say the ia lure Of the lights
has caused them great loss IN money ana trade