The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-03-08
FRANCAIS BURNS.
Famous ParisTheater DESTROYED
by Fire.

Paris, March 8, 1850 p. m.-The famous
Theater Francois has been destroyed
by fire.
The Theater Francois or Comedie
Francois was situated on the Place du
Theater-Francais, near the Palais
Royal, and occupied the highest rank
among the theaters of France. 1t was
built in 1882, but was much altered in
later years, the facades being modern.
The Doric vestibule contained a.
statue of Talma the tragedian, by Da-
vid Dangers, and figures of Tragedy
and Comedy by Duret, bearing respec-
lively the features of the celebrated
actress Mile Rachael and Mile Mars.
The foyer du public was adorned with
a statue of VoItaire, by Houdin; a
chimney piece with a relief represent
ing comedians crowning the figure of
Moliere, by LIE Quesne. Busts and
scenes from the writings of celebrated
French dramatists and new ceiling
painting, by Du Bufe, the younger, OF
Truth enlightening the world At the
end of the corridor leading out of the
foyer was statue of George Sand, by
Clesinger. The ceiling of the interiors
represented France distributing laurels
to her three great dramatists, Molieres
Corneille and Racine.
The fire broke out at about noon,
but was not discovered immediately
with the result that the theater was
burning furiously before the fire bril-
gade got to work. Even then the ap-
pliances were quite inadequate to cope
with the confiagration and by 1:3O p. m
the interior of the building was roar
ing furnace The dense column OF
smoke rising from the fire attracted
crowds from all parts of Paris, es-
pecially when the news spread that it
was the Theater Francois that was on
fire, it being regarded as a national in
stitution.
The theater stands almost isolated.
with a square in front and the gardens
of the Palais Royal behind Both OF
these spaces were thronged with peo-
pie.
The theater which is the home of tna
COmedie Francois was only reopened a
fortnight ago after having been reno
waited for the exposition throngs ex-
pected to visit Paris during the year,
with. Dumas, fills. drama. diane de
Lys' for with a special set of scenery
and costumes had been provided. 1t is
fortunate the fire broke out so early as
hour later the building would have
been filed with a matinee audience and
a disaster would probably have result
ed. Thus far only a few personal in
juries have been reported and they ara
mostly slight with the exceptions Of a.
woman who was frightfully burned
about the face and who may die as q.
result of her injuries. The theater con-
tanned many fine pieces of sculpture
representing celebrated dramatists and
also some beautiful mural paintings
which doubtless were ruined
A rehearsal of the comedy "Bajasett,'' -
which was billed for the matinee was
held this morning and had just con-
cluded when the fire broke out.
Indeed, two of the actresses, Mms-
DudIay and Henriot, were still on the
stage when an electric wire fused and
whole stage was soon in flames. The
actresses barely had time to escape.
Nine. Dudlay had to be rescued in cos
tune and let down from window.
Mime. Henriot fed in terror and it was
rumored she was overcome by the
flames and perished, but according to
later adcives she succeeded in escaD-
ing. In the meanwhile her mother ar
rived, heard the report of the actress
death and nearly went crazy outside the
theater until reassured by NJ. Julian
CIaretier, the novelist, who is the di-
rector of the Theater Francois, and
who superintended the lowering of the
works of art from the windows. Most
of the statues and paintings are now
saved.
NJ. Sardou. the playwright, arrived on
the scene at about 1 O'Clock, and burst
into tears when he saw the building was
doomed. A part of the dome collapsed
at 2:30 p. m.
The charred corpse of a woman was
found in the ruins. 1t was identified
as that of Mademoiselle Henriot who
was a promising young actress. The
face was so burned that it was difficult
to identity it, but NJ. Coquelin and other
societaries of the Coincide Francais
who have seen the body at the morgue
declare positively that it is that of Nile.
Henriot.