The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1901-10-24
ONE OF THESE MAY DIE
Flash Of Flames From the Polyscope
at Temple Theatre Causes
the Panic. ).
COOLER HEADS TRY TO STOP THE RUSH
A Crash Of Music From the Orchestra and Be-
ginning Of Dance on tie Stage Aid
in Putting a Stop to
the Panic.
(By the Associated Press.)


Louisville, KY, Oct. 22.-Hundreds of
people attempted to rush out Of the
Temple Theatre this afternoon because
the cry OF fire was raised, when little
flame was seen about the polyscope ma
chine.
In the scramble scores of people were
knocked down and thirteen were hurt,
while it is feared that one will not sur
vive his injuries.
Those seriously injured were:
FRANK MCDONALD. head injured,
may die.
MRS. LEONORA ROTH. two ribs
broken and right eye injured; condi-
ton serious.
MRS. CHARLES GROSS, head cut
and otherwise injured. condition Sc
rious.
OMAR PULLIAM, colored, right an
kle broken in jumping from balcony
l.. FINE, operator of polyscope, face
and head bruised.
FRANK LATCH, head cut and back
injured.
MRS. OPAL JENNINGS, head bruis-
ed.
MRS. GEORGE SCHMITT, head cut
FOur-y ear-old daughter Of Mrs Geo.
Schnitt, back injured
MRS. MARY WELSH, leg and arm
bruised.
MRS. MARY HUBER back hurt.
MRS. MARY PUNK, head hurt.
Infant niece of Mrs. Mary Punk
back hurt.
1t was about $3.50 o'clock, just after
the first act Of 'Tennessee's Partner, y
and while the polyscope was being pre-
pared for it's exhibition that the little
flash of flame came that caused the
panic. Many women and children made
rush for the door, The panic seized
the gallery and in moment the occu-
pants were plunging down the stairway
in heap or were taking the swifter
method of climbing down into the audi
forum proper. In their haste, many
fell, landing on those beneath Several
were badly hurt in this way.
Meanwhile, those who had regained
their presence of mind endeavored to
stop the mad rush. The ushers and
theatre attaches acted with great cool
ness. The orchestra played and Chas. T.
Rates, member of the stock company
danced. This was effective in quieting
those nearest the stage. The great
crush occurred where the stairs come
down from the gallery. Here the crowd
met and We're packed into a space not
large enough for half of them, and all
were trying with desperation born of
fear to reach the street.
The weaker were soon knocked down
and tramplnd under foot. Those who
realized the state of affairs were trying
their best tt check the rush, but the
crowd weent pell nell through the
doors and literally rolled down the long
flight of stairs.
As soon as the rush was over the care
of the injured began A big room was
converted into Temporary hospital
The greatest haste was made in remov-
ing the injured from the building in or
der to prevent a panic whan the aud
fence was dismissed. Every patrol
wagon and ambulance in the city was
soon engaged in conveying the more Sc
riously injured to the hospitals. or their
homes. The members of the stock
company showed the greatest presenre
of mind and the play was finished with
out hitch.
Thirty policemen promptly prevented
disorder after the panic.
Clarence Meffet an atttache of the
theatre, closed the wide exit doors as
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 as the doors were closed Mrs. 0.
w. Blunt pitched her four year old
child through the exit to a policeman.
He caught it in his arms, but it slipped
to the floor. sustaining, however, no in
juries except slight bruises.
There was no damage from fire. 1t is
said the cause Of the flame was the
blowing out of fuse on the polyscope.