The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1901-07-02
PANIC in A TENT.
Big Audience in Summer Thea
ter Badly Frightened.
Heavy Wind Blew Down Canvas
and People Stampeded.

A panic was caused among the pat
rons OF the Crawford summer theater
at Fourth avenue and Quincy street
Monday evening when the large canvas
sidewalks and roof of the pavilion be-
gan Tapping in the wind which rose 10
almost a gale. and the framework and
canvas walls OF the stage and dressing
rooms We're blown away
What gave promise of being an aus
picious opening for the summer thea
ter was thus rudely delayed. Owing to
the fact that the work in the pavilion
had not been completed until late the
doors were not opened until about
o'clock and in a few minutes after
ward, the tent was nearly filed.
The crowd kept fling in after the
hour set for the beginning of the per-
Torrance. and partly On this account
and partly that there was much Work
10 do behind the scenes the curtain was
not rung up promptly on time.
At about $3.50 the wind began to rise
and the side walls which had been flap
ping idly in the little breeze stirring
began to wildly fan the air and beat
against the tent poles. The air was
filed with dust and particles of sand
and cinders. It seemed there was a
draft of air through the pavilion and
through the stage and the drop curtain
was drawn back and forth in the cur
rents of air and nearly demolished the
footldghts.
People became frightened, thinking
that a cyclone was about to descend
upon them and made for the exits. "A
few had presence of mind enough to
call out that there was no danger; the
wind died down and it was thought
that the blow was over. People sat
down again TO enjoy the show but be-
fore the curtain was rung up another
and flercer blast of wind ripped away
the canvas around the stage and dress
ing rooms; found its way in under the
stage and lifted the boards and blew
the frame work around the stage away
The roof of the pavilion was flying
in the wind and the centerpoles We're
swaying to and fro. The scene was
enough to brighten almost every one
and with one accord the whole audi
ence rose to leave the tent AS the
people got to their feet another gust
of wind stronger than either before
made the timbers crack and creak.
Just at this juncture the single arc
light which supplied the light for the
interior of the tent was turned off tc
prevent any one being injured by a live
wire should the light fall The audience
found themselves in intense darkness
which added to the confusion. May
started on stampede for the exits,
screaming and yelling for friends or
children from whom they had become
separated. 1t is miraculous that many
were not trampled under foot and in
Jured in the wild race for the doors
Today repairs have been going on at
the summer theater and Manager o. II.
Crawford says that the stage has been
entirely rebuilt and strengthened TO
withstand any wind that may be blown
up in Kansas.
Pass out checks We're given to as
many as went out the main entrance
of the pavilion last night and they will
be honored tonight. Those who went
out under the sidewalks of the tent and
have not secured return tickets may
get them at Rowley & Shows drug
store.
The opening bill, 'The Count of Monte
Crlsto which was to have been put
on last night will be given tonight.