The San Francisco call., 1903-12-31
Survivors and Rescuers Describe the
Catastrophe and Scenes in
House of Death.
Wilma of Fate That Dooms Audience
Saves the Lives of Those
on the Stage.

CHICAGO, Dec. 80. - The
members OF the MIR. Bluebeard'
theatrical company, being on the
first floor of the Iroquois Theater,
had little difficulty in reaching the
street. although their situation
was Tor a 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, principal comedian
in the play. was one Of the last to
escape. getting out through rear
door after assisting che women
members Of the company to safe
". He went into the Sherman
House in his stage costume and
with his face covered with grease
paint, in order to obtain surgical
attention for some burns.
F0Y DESCRIBES HORROR.
In describing the commence
ment OF the fire, Foy attributed
the catastrophe to ths failure of
the hreproof curtain to work
properly. Because Of this, he said,
the flames readily obtained access
10 the main part of the theater
and the draught. carrying with it
gas as well as fire, swept up to
tho two balconies, where the loss
OF life was greatest.
II he fire began in the middle OF
the second act, said 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 a draught that
the flames spread rapidly. They
soon attacked all the scenery in
the rear Of the house. l never be
lieved it possible for fire to spread
50 quickly.
When II started / went TO the
fOotlights, and, to prevent alarm
ing the audience, said that there
was a slight blaze, and that it
would be better for all to leave
quietly. Then I stepped back and
called for the asbestos curtain to
be lowered. This curtain, when
about halfway down, refused to
go farther and thus an additional
draught was created. This swept
the flames into the auditorium
and ] knew that the theater was
doomed.
AIDS WOMEN TO ESCAPE.
Il hurried back to the stage and
aided in getting the women mem
bers of the company into the al
ley Some OF them were in the
dressing rooms and we're almost
overcome by smoke when they
got down to the stage and to the
doors. The simple fact that the
curtain did not descend entirely
was what saved the lives Of the
company. although II caused such
q horrible catastrophe in the front
OF the house.
After the curtain had refused
TO descend there came the explo-
sion OF the gas tanks. With the
curtain down, all the fire and gas
would have been confined be-
tween the rear wall Of the theater
aud the hreproof curtain in front.
nder these circumstances it
would not have been possible for
a single member of the company
20 escape alive unless he or she
had been standing Immediately in
front Of the door leading into the
alley Asitwas the draught carried
all the gas and fire out beneath
the curtain and the company was
saved, although their salvation
meant the deaths Of so many poor
persons In front
MANAGER DAVIS STORY.
While The police and firemen were
carrying out the dead and injured. Will
j. Davis, one Of the proprietors OF the
theater. was indefatigable in his ef-
fCrts 20 alleviate suffering and TO as
sist in caring for the dead. He said:
There was no need, as far as ]
know. II single life being lost. There
were more than forty exits to the the
ater- The building is fireproof. and II
somebody had not screamed Fire. /
think that all. as far as those killed in
the panic are concerned. could have