Arizona republican., 1903-12-31
The Burning of ChiCagOs Newest Theatre the Iroquois at
 Matinee Yesterday Afternoon
THERE WERE OVER HALF A THOUSAND VICTIM
Country Story of Stampede, and
 Away of Thosew Trampled doverTh

Chicago, Dec. 30.-Five hundred and fifty people were killed in ten minutes this afternoon in the Iroquois theatre by fire, the newest, largest, and as far as human power could make 1t, safest theatre in Chicago. The count of the dead was practically complete at mid night, but it is not yet accurate and the exact number will not be known before some time tomorrow. Despite the utmost care, great confusion mark ed the removal of the bodies. In their haste, the police transported bodies to underta king rooms and in many ins.an- ces forgot to report the fact to their stations This is evidenced by the fact that in five different undertaking es tablishments bodies were received of which the police had no records what ever. Allowing for these discrepancies, the lists made by the police and the newspapers practically agree. The newspapers claim 5e0 dead; the police 536. A few of the victims were burned to death. many were suf- foeated by gas and scores were tramp led to death in the panic that followed the mad plunge of the frightened au- 1ience for the exits.
 It will be many hours before the number of the dead is accurately known and many days before all will be identified.
 THE BLOODY BLUEsEARO.
 There are dead lying by dozens in un- dertakinE rooms. in police stations and in hospitals. from which nearly every thing that could reveal their identity tn know them best is gone. Their clothing is torn to rags or burned tn cinders and their faces have been mashed into unrecognizable pulp by the heels of the crowd that trampled them Gi~vn as they fled for safety.
 The fire broke out during the second act of the play "Mr. Bluebeard.' which was the first dramatic production giv- in the theatre since its erection. The company. which was very large. es- caped to the street in safety. nearly all however being compelled to flee into the snowy streets with no clothes but their stage costumes. A few members of the company sustained minor iniUr- les hut none were seriously hurt
 STORIES OF THE ORIGIN.
 The accounts of the origin of the fire are conflicting and none certain. but the best reason given is that the electric wire near the lower part nf
 
 nud grounded. The fire spread rapidly toward the front of Nle stage, causing the members of the chorus. who were then engaged in performance. to flee to the wings with screams of terror The fire in itself uo to this time was not serious and could possibly have been checked had not the asbestos cUr- tain failed to work.
 As soon as the fire was discovered. Eddie Foy. the chief comedian of the company shouted to lower the cur tain and this was immediately done It descended about half way and then stuck. The fire was thus given prac- tically a flue through which a strong draft was setting. aided by the dOors, which had been thrown open in the front of the theatre. With a roar and a bound. the flames shot through the opening over the heads of tho people on inc first floor and, reaching clear up 10 those in the first balcony caught them and burned them to death where they sat. Following this rush of the flames there came an explosion which lifted the entire roof of the theatre from the walls, shatterinG the great skvlght into fragments.
 THE DEADLY ALARM.
 As soon as the flames first appeared beyond the curtain man in the rear of the hall shouted "Firei Fire" and the netire audience rose as one person and 'nade for the doors. It is believed that the explosion was caused by the flames coming in contact with the gas reser- voirs of the theatre. causing them to burst.