The Savannah morning news., 1903-12-31

II could see little girls and boys in
the orchestra chairs pointing upward
One of the stage hands, wearing over
alls, appeared before the footlights and
requested the audience to keep their
seats, as there was no danger. Eddie
Foy then hurried to the front of the
stage and commanded the people to
remain calm, saying that if they
would keep their seats the danger
would be averted.
1.-The curtain, however, still burned,
pieces of the smouldering cloth fall
ing into the orchestra pit. An effort
was made by the stage hands to ar
range the curtain so that the blazing
fragments would not drop into the pit.
I looked over the faces of the audi
ence and remarked how many children
were present. I could see their faces
| filled with interest and their eyes wide
open as they watched the burning cur
tain.
Then Came Cry of "Fire."
Just then the people in the balcony
rose to their feet and crowded forward
to obtain better view of the fire.
Eddie Foy rushed to the center of the
stage again and waved his arms in
gesture, meaning for the people to be
seated
"At that instant a woman in the
rear of the place screamed fire" and
the entire audience of women and chill
dren rose to their feet, filled with I'M
comfortable terror. In another instant
there was a confused roar made by
thousand people as they rushed mad
ly from the impending danger.
ION the stage the chorus girls, who
had aroused my admiration because
of their exhibition of presence of
mind, turned to flee, but many of them
were overcome before they could take
a step. Several of them fell to the
floor, and saw the men in the cast
and the stage hands carry them off
the stage.
Miss Elsie Elmore was the first
to leave our box. The upholstering
on the railing was then on fire, and
we were compelled to brush fragments
of the burning curtain from our cloth
ing in order to prevent them catch
ing fire. Then there came a great
roar and a great draft of air, and
the flames shot out over the par
ouette of the theater until it seemed
to reach the very front walls of the
building.
There were but few men
in the audience, but I saw
several of them pulling and
pushing women and children aside
as they fought like maniacs to reach
the exits. I saw a number of little
children trampled under foot and none
of them arose again.
an the balcony the scene was be-
yond my power to describe. There
was a big, black crush of human be-
ings, each one apparently fighting
every one else. The balcony was so
steep that many fell before they had
left the first four rows of seats. The
exits to the fire escapes were closed,
and those in the rear rushed with all
the strength they possessed upon those
who were nearer to the doorway.
How the Party Escaped.
at was almost Incredible. the speed
with which the flames ran through the
scenery, and although 1 was but
second after Miss Gilmore in jumping
over the railing of our box to the aisle
in front, the stage was a mass of
flames. AS 1 started up the aisle a
man rushed into me. and knocked me
down. 1 was so Reconstruction that 1
grew weak. and sank into one of the
orchestra chairs, and after that hard
w remember anything. In some way I
reached the main entrance, where men
were kicking against the doors and
SCATTERING the glass; and panels in
their attempts to afford a larger space
for the exit of the people.
Many fell as they reached
the doors. where a few steps more
would have carried them to
fresh air and safety. AS 1 look at it
now I must have been walking on
PROSTATE bodies as l struggled through
the opening. All Of our party, in about
the same manner as did. escaped. but
all of them suffered so terribly In the
matter Of clothing that the first thing
they did was TO rush to the stores TO
buy wraps to cover them"
one OF the most thrilling escapes
was that Of Miss Mile Overlook Of
virginia. young gin who was visit
ing friends IN the city. Miss over
locks companion. Remington Thomas,
made an heroic effort 10 escape with
her but after carrying her 10 fhe
door, where b. placed Der "a her feet,