New-York tribune., 1901-10-23
CRUSHED IN THEATRE PANIC
CRY OF FIRE CAUSES WILD SCRAM-
BILE IN LOUISVILLE-SCORES
SERIOUSLY HURT.

Louisville. KY. Oct. 22.-Hundreds of persons
attempted 70 rush out of the Temple Theatre
this afternoon because the cry of Fire." was
raised when little flame was seen about the
polyscope machine.
In The scramble scores OF them were knocked
down. and thirteen injured. three seriously.
OF the latter one may die. number of other
persons were bruised cut but their injuries
were slight The injured
MDoNALD. Frank. head injured: die.
ROTH Mrs. IeonOra two riNs broken and right eye in
GROSS Mrs. Charles head cut Internally injured.
condition serious.
PULLIAM, Omar eOored right ankle broken IN Jumping
FINE L. operator of poyscope face and head
LATCH. Frank. head cut and back injured
JENNINGS. Mrs Opal head bruised
sCfiNITT. Mrs. George head
WELSH. Mrs, Mary. leg and rm bruised.
HUBER Mrs. Mary back hurt
PUNK. Miss Mary hurt.
Fouryear-oid daughter Of Mrs George sehnitt
Infant niece Of Miss Mary PUNK back hurt
1t was about $3.50 O'clock Just after the first
act OF "Tennessee's Pardner" and while the
rolyscope was being prepared for its exhibition.
that the little flash Of fame came that caused
the panic Many women and children made a
rush for the door. A panic seized the gallery
! occupants. and in a moment they were plunging
down the stairway in heap. or were taking the
swifter method of climbing down into the audi
torium proper In their haste. many fell land
Ing on those underneath Several were badly
hurt in this way.
Meanwhile those who had retained their
presence OF mind endeavored TO stop the mad
rush. The ushers and theatre attaches acted
with great coolness. The orchestra played and
Charles T. Bates. a member OF the stock COM
pany. danced. This effective in quieting
those nearest the stage.
The great crush occurred where the stairs
come down from the gallery. Here the two
crowds met and were packed into space not
large enough for half Of them, and all were try
| ing with desperation born of fear to reach
the street.
| The weaker were soon knocked down and
| trampled under foot. Those who realized the
state of affairs were trying their best to check
the rush, but the crowd went on pen nell
through the doors. and literally rolled down the
| long flight OF stairs.
AS the rush over the care of the
! injured began. A big room was converted into
a temporary hospital. The greatest haste was
| made in removing the injured from the building
| in order to prevent panic when the audience
| was dismissed. Every patrol wagon and am
! bulance in the city soon engaged in con-
! veying the more seriously injured to the hos
| pitfalls or their homes. The members OF the stock
company showed the greatest presence of mind
| and the play finished without a hitch.
Thirty policemen prevented disorder after the
| panic.
Clarence Meffert, attache of the theatre
| closed the wide exit doors the rush began.
| He called number of men and by main force
| held the crowd back. But for this hundreds
might have been injured.
Just the doors were closed Mrs. O. w.
Blunt pitched her one old child through the
| exit to a policeman. He caught il in his arms.
| but it slipped to the floor sustaining. however.
| no injuries except slight bruises.
There was no damage from the fire 1t is said
| the cause of the flame was the blowing out of
| fuse the polyscope