New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-12-31

rushed for a ladder. in an effort 10 save as
many as possible. No laflder available
and the only method Of assistance that could
be devised was hurriedly to lash some
planks together and throw them across TO the
affrignted women on the platforms. with IN
structtons to place the end firmly on the iron
framework Before this could be done a fearful
loss of time ensued: the women were being
pushed every instant into the alley, and by the
time the bridge was constructed few remained
to take advantage of IT, However, about two
dozen. it is believed, made their way across
this narrow causeway. The members Of the
theatrical company. being on the first foor.
had comparatively little dificulty in reaching
the street, although their situation was for
moment highly critical. because Of the speed
with which the flames swept through the mass
of scenery in the flies and on the stage
Eddie" Foy, the principal comedian in the
play, was one Of the last to escape. by getting
out through a rear door. after assisting the
women members OF the company to safety. He
went into the Sherman House in his stage cos
tune and with his face covered with grease
paint. in order to secure surgical attendance for
some burns which he had sustained In de-
scribing the beginning of the fire Foy attrto-
uted the extent Of the catastrophe 70 the fall
ure of the freproot curtain to work properly.
Because of this. he said. the flames readily OBJ
tained access to the main part of the theatre.
and were by the draught. carrying with it gas
as we'll as fire. swept up to the two balconies.
where the loss of life was greatest.
ASBESTOS CURTAIN FAILED To WORK
''The fire began in the middle of the second
act" said Mr.. Foy. "An electric wire broke. was
grounded. and from this the flames were started
in the rear of the stage. The stage is unusually
wide. and there was so great draught the flames
spread rapidly. They soon had attacked all the
scenery in the rear of the house. I never be-
lIeved it possible for fire TO spread so quickly.
When 1t first started I went to the footIights.
and. to prevent alarming the audience. said
that there was slight blaze. and that it would
be better for all to leave quietly. Then stepped
back and called for the asbestos curtain to be
lowered
This. when about half way down. refused to
go further. and thus an additional draft was
created This swept the flames out into the au-
ditorium. and I knew that the theatre was
doomed. 1 hurried back to the stage and aided
in getting the women members of the company
into the alley. Some of them We're in their dress
ing rooms. and were almost overcome by smoke
before they could get down to the stage and TO
the doors.
The simple fact that the curtain did not de-
scend entirely was what saved the lives OF the
company. although IL caused such a horrible
catastrophe in the front OF the house After the
curtain had refused TO descend there came the
explosion of the gas tanks. and with the curtain
down all the fire and gas would have been con-
fined between the rear wall OF the theatre and
the hreproof curtain in front Under these
circumstances 1t would not have been possible
for single member OF the company to escape
alive. unless he or she had been standing i'm
mediately in front OF the door leading into the