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

which crept along the top OF the drop curtain.
She called the attention of other members OF
the party to the blaze. and they all watched 1t.
Miss Plamondon said: II could see little girls
and boys in the orchestra chairs pointing up
ward to the slowly moving line Of flame One
of the stage hands. wearing overaIls. 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 keSp their seats
the danger would be averted. The curtain. how
ever. still burned. pieces OF the smouldeFins
cloth falling into the orchestra pit. An effort
was made by the stage hands to arrange the
curtain that the blazing fragments would not
drop into the Dit.
II looked over the faces OF the audience and
remarked how many children were present I
could see their faces filed with interest and
ing curtain Just then the people In the balcony
arose to their feet and crowded forward to OBJ
tain better view Of the fire. Eddie Foy
rushed to the centre Of the stage again and
waved his arms in a 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 children arose to
their feet. filed with uncomfortable terror.
I'm another instant there was roar made by
two thousand people SIS they rushed madly
from the danger.
DOUBT ABOUT CAUSE OF FIRE.
It was declared tonight by the management
of the theatre that the fire was not caused by
the grounding Of an electric wire or by any de-
feet in the equipment of the theatre II started.
they claim. by the bursting OF calcium light
apparatus, The eoncussion was so great that
1t blew out one of the skyIights over the stage
erd auditorium.
This statement of the theatre management was
contradcted by many people who were in the
theatre. and who declared that before the ex-
streak creeping along the wall near the upper
part of the drop curtain.
CHORUS GIRLS OVERCOME ON STAGE.
con the stage the chorus girls. who had
aroused my admiration because of their exhibit
ton OF presence OF mind. turned to fee but
many of them were overcome before they could
take step. Several of them fell TO the floor.
and saw the men In the cast and the stage
hands carry them of the stage Miss Elsie FL
more was the first 10 leave our box The up
on the railing was then on fire. and
burning curtain from our clothing in order to
prevent them catching fire."
Then there came a great roar and a great
draught OF air. and the flames shot out over
the parauette OF the theatre until # seemed
to me as though they must reach the very
front walls of the building. There were but
few men in the audience but 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 tram
pied underfoot. and none OF them arose again
In the balcony the scene was beyond my power
to describe. There was big black crush Of hu-
man beings. each one apparently fighting every
body 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
choked, and those in the rear rushed with all
the strength they possessed upon those who
were nearer the doorway.
1T was almost incredible. the speed with
which the flames ran through the scenery; and.
although 1t was but a second after Miss Eimors
jumped over the railing OF our box to the aisle
IN 'front.' the stage was mass OF fame. As I
started I'D the aisle man rushed into me and
Knocked me down. was so terror stricken
that gave way and sank into one of the or.
chestra chairs. and after that I hardly remer-
where men were kicking against the
doors and shattering the glass and panels in
their attempt to afford a larger space for the
exit OF the people. Many fell as they reached
the doors, where few steps more would have
carried them to fresh air and safety. AS look
at It now 1 must have been walking on pros
trate bodies as struggled through the opening.
All Of our party escaped in about the sauna
manner as did. 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 buv
wraps TO cover them"
ORDER MIGHT HAVE SAVED THEM.
William R Heyer. an usher in the first bal
cony, said tonight: My balcony was crowded,
and there were number of people standing
when the fire broke out It all came so sudden
that barely had time to open the fire exits be-