New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-12-27
THE NEWS OF BROOKLYN.
THE BURNING OF a95 PERSONS IN OLD BROOKLYN
THEATRE RECALLED BY ACADEMY FIRE
Sketch of Judge r. j. Wn appointed Organize Chden Court
Christmas Exercises a Boys High School,
GOSSIP OF THE BOROUGH.

Members Of the New-England Society Of Brook
Ign. which held its annual dinner at the Union
League Club last week. congratulated themselves
the fact that their records. extending over q
period OF more than twenty years, were not de-
stroyed in the Academy OF Music fire. For years
the association has had its headquarters in the
Art Association rooms. adjoining and connected
with the Academy Of Music, and its records are
stored there. BY what seems 10 have been extra
ordinary work. the flames were kept away from
the Art Association rooms and nothing there was
much scorched by the heat Last year
the dinner OF the society was held at Plymouth,
Mass. II had been intended 10 run a special train
from Brooklyn to carry a large part Of the New
England Society, but that pretentious plan
ing to 60 were able 10 DO So The society is repre-
se5teo az Py9g5h BY 3eaHtfaI memGral cut
the old church in the Massachusetts, village.
Since the recent burning OF the Academy OF
Music and the general expression OF opinion that
appalling loss of life would have occurred If
the fire had started when the building filled
with people public thought has REQUIRED to the
Brooklyn Theatre disaster. December the
twenty-seventh anniversary of that catastrophe.
WHICH ranks not only as The largest in the history
lies of the country The nresent generation knows
little about the details and much that is told about
fore. TO recall of the facts.
The Brooklyn Theatre stood at WESTINGHOUSE
and Johnson-st.. the site now occupied by a news
paper building The night Of December 3 1916 was
fair. and the house crowded TO see Two
Orphans. one of the popular successes of the day.
In the boathouse of the flies blew against
a gas jet and the entire stage was at once I'm
flames. The people poured out Of the burning
building When the hrernen arrived the entire
structure was wrapped in flames and the gallery
had just fallen. There the slightest init
nation expressed that everybody had not got out
OF the building safely II more than two hours
before some OF the hremen reported TO Fire Chief
Thomas T. Nevins that the ruins were filed with
bodies. He knew that not soul buried there
could be alive, and at gave the strictest
orders that not word should he said about the
ghastly discovery. Thus il was that 4 sugges-
non on OF me awful tragedy appeared in the papers
15-oltii6- -i4sl -NFN4i4s sitSi"aIQ explained
an early announcement would have caused ire
ments had been made for taking out and caring
ior The bodies As II was. the work greatly
hampered 10y the frenzied relatives and friends of
me missing, who, after the news became known,
IS told that several persons never left the scene
ior Two days, except 10 get bite 10 in a near
oy restaurant
As nearly could be told. the remains of 2s5
victims taken from the ruins OF this num-
Der only Isi identified and cared for by
friends One hundred and one bodies approximate
~, were buried together in grave arranged for by
the city on Battle Hill. the main entrance 10
Greenwood Cemetery. More than five thousand
persons followed the victims 10 their last resting
place. The procession included all the city officials
and the military organizations. The collins were
placed IN a double around a common centre
where a monument has been raised. An appropria-
non IS made each year BY the city for the care O
thls small CITY OF the dead" OF those whose
booles were Identified were two members Of the
cast-Claude Burroughs and II S Murdoch 4
citizens committee OF go was organized for the
relief OF the dependent orphans and relatives Of
uted.
Judge Robert J. Wikin. who several months ago
was added 10 tie Court OF Special Sessions for the
purpose OF orgcrizing special chidren's court is
an ardent devotee OF canoeing, and has been large
~ connected with the advance in the interest in
that sport IN 1880 he with Arthur B-entano of
New-York. organized the Knickerbocker Canoe
Club, and was its first commodore. In 1885 he or
ganized the Brooklyn Canoe Club. In 1887 he was
commodore Of the American Canoe Association
Judge .Wilkin Is also a member OF the Crescent
Athletic Club. and other athletic and social or
CARNATIONS. He has been interested in rescue work
since he seventeen years old. when In 1871 he
entered the Office o. the New-Yorl1 Society for the
Prevention Of Cruelty 10 Children When the
Brooklyn Society for the Prevention Of Cruelty to
charge OF the organization, and remained it's
superintendent Until his appointment as a judge
In 1883 he admitted to the bar and after that
had charge Of all the society's legal business.
Judge Nlkn was Instrumental in the establish
lnent OF the Brooklyn Disciplinary Training School
Tor Boys IN 1871 Now from the bench OF the Chill
oren's Court he Is sun caring for the interests Of
Ign. Probably similar court ever had an in
clfnbent so lifted for his duties by experience
chnation and symDathies.