davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1904-01-09

persons In rided iron oven was when
the house was darkened for the moon.
light song
Whether the next fiery link was the
spot light or the group of calcium
mlmicing the moonbeams, doesn't mat.
ter. Anyway, caused by one or the 9th.
er, wisp OF flame appeared in the
files overhead, Many persons in reading
the stories thought OF the files as the
wings The fire did not begin on the
stage. but over the stage.
1t should be remembered that the
scenery IN modern theaters Is let down
and hauled up, and high above the
stage floor is the rigging loft where
painted landscapes and streets and
canvas walls and curtains and sauzes
await their cue
For a few heart beats only few
OF the people on the stage saw the
wisp Of flame, The audience observed
some OF them falter In the song and the
eyolutions and look up 10 the moon.
They were looking anxiously for the
stage hands in the flies TO smother the
fire, But, like a mIschleyious devil, the
yellow wlsp eluded the perhaps tream-
Ing hands of the man closest to Il,
Doubles every old player III the cast
mad seen such aocidents-most OF them
never known TO the audience. For
priceless moments the people on the
stage tried to go on the flame escaped
from the man in the flies overhead.
who gave II up; and IN those seconds
was the time when two or three fire.
men running line of hose across the
stage would have drowned the flames.
Panic there might have been, but II
would not have been scampering in a
white and gold oven.
Many have wondered how the $50
people on the. stage could every one
escape, while GOO Of the audience per-
ished when 1t was the stage that was
burning, The reason was that the fire
was overhead. The proscenium wall of
the lroquois was 100 feet high
At this point the chief actor in the
tragedy was that fend all theatrical
men fear above anything else, the fiend
panic, The one thought of every brave
man connected with Mr.. Bluebeard"
or the Iroquois theater was to stop the
panic, In their desperate zeal to pre-
vent stampede they formed another
link In the red chain Of death for hun.
dreds
Was not the house flreproof? Wasn't
1t perfectly safe If the people would not
squeeze and tramplc each other to
death? The ushers believed that the
fire would be extInguished, At least
only the rigging loft-really separate
building-would burn.
There We're plenty OF bold fellows on
the stage TO run a line OF hose-but
Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1904-01-09
THINKS THE KAISER IN ERROR
Prof. Cunning, of Columbia. Would
Not Call Either the Victor.

This is a matter" said Professor
W. 4. Cunning, of the department of
history of Columbia university, CON
cernlng which there Is still differ
ence Of opinion. When the kaiser says,
however, that the Prussians saved the
British from destruction at Waterloo
he is inaccurate In his statement.
ut must be borne In mind that the
chief responsibility lay with yelling.
Ton. lie accepted battle only after the
assurance had been gwen TO him by
Butcher that the Prussians would sup
port him. He might otherwise have re.
treated and avoided an engagement un.
MI he was reinforced. The credit for
the outcome OF the battle belongs no
more to Butcher alone than 1t does to
wellington alone. They We're allies.
Their cause was common one and the
battle was fought ON a definite plan
upon which they had agreed.
That the arrival OF Butcher was
opporWne no one will deny, but to say
the Butcher saved Wellington from de-
structlon is extravagant and inaccu.
rate. The battle hung upon the fact
that Wellington knew that the Prus-
SLAMS were moving to his aid which
Napoleon did not know. Napoleon, had
he the knowledge Of the same facts
that Wellington had, might have had
Grouchy within striking distance. As
II was, Grouchy with $4,000 French
troops was going away from Butcher
when he should have prevented the
PrussIans from ever getting to Wa
terl0O,
only two days before the battle the
French had defeated the forces of
Butcher and Lingy with great loss, and
Napoleon did not think the Prussians
would be able 10 recover from their de-
feat In time to reinforce the British.
The action Of the PrussIans was part
Of the game as mapped out by Yelling
ton It is difficult for any man to say
as to what would have been the out
come Of the battle had II not been for
the arrival Of Butcher. The British
had Just repulsed the Imperial Guard,
and although the English were IN poor
condition. It is not at all likely that
The French would have been able TO
have destroyed them had Butcher failed
them In his reports Wellington never
sought In any way to belittle the time
" aid which the Prussians gave"
Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1904-01-09
BLUCHER'S GUNS HEARD.
Prof Sloane Thinks Wellington
Was Given Great Aid.

one OF the foremost authorities on ths
Napoelonlc period is Professor William
n, Sloane, the head OF the department.
OF history In Columbia university. Tho
professor Ia at present In Paris on a
leave OF absence. That he had thor.
oughly considered the question as to
whom the credit for the victory Of Wa,
terloo was due appears IN Book " of
his history, entitled Napoleon Bona
parIe."
Though the dramatic stories OF the
dukes mortal terror" writes the pro-
lessor, rest on small foundation, there
is no doubt that he felt great relief
when the Prusslans entered the combat.
for Immediately he turned his attention
not 10 rest, but TO the reforming of
his line. Though Wellingtons task OF
standing firm until Bluchers arrival
was accomplished and though pertains
his soldiers heard the distant firing Of
the Prusslan guns, yet nothing could be
seen across the long interval, the noise
attracted little attention and neither he
nor they could know what was yet be-
fore them"
Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1904-01-09

due that amount Of desert soil. One
OF these men Is a Chicago manufacture
er who Is deeply interested in the colo
nization problem, He declares that
20 acres are quite sufficient for a good
home IN that locality. He insists that
alfalfa and cows are the surest money
makers for the settler Of small means.
Each acre of alfalfa will support one
COW, One good man viii take care az
20 cows. Hence, the 20-acre farm Is
the thing.
The Chicago man has faith enough in
his idea 10 advance money to numerous
settlers 80 that they may get start.
They will repay him In labor applied TO
other lands which he will later sub
divide and sell 10 other small settlers.
Creameries will be necessary TO take
the product Of these small farms. The
Chicago man will build the creameries
as fast as required.
II Is a most interesting experiment
both In its economic and Its sociological
aspects, II will be interesting to COM
Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1904-01-09

pare the prosperity Of these small farm
ers with that OF their nclghbors who
are trying to till from IS 70 80 times as
much land, and It will be interesting
again TO see how these settlers are able
to succeed with borrowed capital to be
repaid by devotIng part Of their time
to the cultivation Of other land. Per-
haps the experiment will furnish a good
deal Of light for the problem Of making
homes for poor men in the desert
The Chicago capitalist makes no pre-.
tence to philanthropy It is purely a
business proposition with him. He
thinks the enterprise offers good SO.
curlty aud promises to return reason.
able profit.
But In the meantime, the nation s
squandering It's land by permitting II
To- be taken up In big blocks by those
who viii later sell out TO actual home.
makers or TO syndlCates which are
making great stock ranches And so II
VIII be until the present land laws are
repealed IN favor Of a true homestead
Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1904-01-09

there was no hose. There were plenty
OF eager hands to turn on q sprinkler
apparatus To deluge the scenery-but
there was no sprinkler.
only the theater fireman tried 10 hit
the burning spot with hand gren-
AIDE, some lost their heads. some didn't,
but those who didn't were filed with
the mistaken zeal of holding the au.
dlence to prevent panic.
The man who ran TO give fire alarm
turned In Still" for the lroquols. not
realizing that II was too late for even
a general alarm to break the chain Of
disaster.
But the ingrained training Of the
theatrical men TO avoid panic, TO avoid
the alarm of fire engines laundering to
the door; to avoid the fright OF firemen
rushing across the stage, undoubtedly
held back that fire alarm.
The lack Of anything on the stage TO
reach the fire was circumstance that
could not be overcome. Eddie Foy
called for the fire curtain. All they
could do was to LET down the asbestos
shield and flee for their lives.
But, alas! that not one OF the cleo
triclans had the inspiration to open the
closed switches and give the audience
the boon Of friendly electric lights.
The fire curtain jammed; the play
ers and the stage stan gave way TO
their next natural impulse of saving
the women and children on the stage.
The audience had been the first
thought Of every brave man behind the
footllghts, but the fire curtain was
hopelessly stuck.
The fact that every woman and ev-
cry child-many Of them In the dress
ing rooms unconscious OF danger
many Of them In the lofty rooms from
which they could escape only by the
nolseless stage eleVator---the fact that
an got out proves that there was no
iack Of gallant fellows behind the foot
lights.
The lad who brought the women
down in the elevator from the fifth and
seventh tier Of dressing rooms, they
said, was white as n sheet and trem-
bIing-he was pltifully scared-but the
lad went after them A scared boy
who can do that is a hero!
II somebody had only thought to turn
on the lights in the house,
Meantime the great audience which
had been held In check by the appeals
from the stage started for the doors
where 1t saw the daylight in the grand
foyer, Not only We're many persons
thinking of the proyerbial warning 10
keep cool and avoid a panic. but the
fact that the flames licked the proscen-
lum arch, high up, treasured them. IL
Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1904-01-09
FIGURES IN HIS ARGUMENT.
MI Ropes Discusses the Relative
Strength of Contrasting Armies.

Mr. Ropes, who went 70 original
sources for his information and devoted
years or study 10 the Napoleonlc wars.
placed the number Of Wellington's
troops at GL66l, Of which there were H..
.Zg Hanoyerlans. The French had H..
i91 men.
Wellington felt" declared Mr.. Ropes,
mat ne could rely on Butchers prom.
lSe' ana ne took his chance that Bluch.
Ut nOuld De able TO fulfil that promise.
what would have succeeded the re-
purse or the Imperial Guard (French)
hau the Prusslans not interposed no
one OF course can tell, while the i'm
Wehs1 success which the English had
ootained IN routing the Imperial Guard
was instantly improved by Wellington
IN ordering his remaining untouched
cavalry orlgades, those OF Vivian and
Nandeleur, To charge"
Mt Hopes in his History of the Wa.
terloo campaign called attention TO
passages IN the memoirs of Baron Muf.
Hlhs RUSSIAN officer attached 10 thu
s'dH or wellington, who took a promi.
helit part IN the battle OF Waterloo.
In edVke,' said the baron. when
ms practlsed eye perceived that the
rTeHoh army was no longer dangerous.
was equally aware that with his infen,
Try 70 diminished he could achieve Moth
ing more of Importance but II he stood
sun ana resigned the pursuit to the
frussian army alone II might appear III
the eyes OF Europe as II the English
army mad defended themselves brayely
indeed, but that the Prusslans alone de-
cided and won the battle"
Mr. Ropes, In discussing the question
as 10 whom the credit for the victory
was due, said that he agreed with Ken
nedy' who said that the Iron Duke ac-
cepted the gage Of battle only on the
promise that he would be supported by
Butcher.
Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1904-01-09

was like the man I'm hotel who feels
relieved when he sees that fire IL on
the floor above him, not below him.
The lroquois had many exits. But
some Of them were draped with cur,
tains for beauty's sake. IN the gloom
that was horribly streaked with the
yellow of the flame that seemed TO
stoOp under the arch and look at ts
victims, the emergency exits became a
mOCkery.
The efforts Of the theatcr attaches
to stop panic We're heroic but foolish,
like the Roman sentinel who stood his
post at PompeiI while Vesuyius en-
quilted him, Some Of them refused TO
open the emergency exits. They knew
that. IN case OF fire on the stage, q
strong draught would be the death OF
all. They held the doors and said
Wait until the fire curtain is sent
down."
At this moment OF the tragedy Of
death-Chain Of circumstances, perhaps
ten minutes had elapsed from the time
the wisp of flame escaped from the men
In the flies over the stage.
The people were excited and strug-
Cling, but the madness of fear had not
yet fallen upon them. In the doors TO
the big white foyer the ushers and one
or two policemen fought savagely with
the crowd TO hold II back The entire
row of swinging doors was not opened.
Now comes the worst OF II all The
balcony and gallery rails were not fifty
feet from the burning stage, Those who,
previous to this time, had hurried down
the nine-foot stairs to the foyer had
escaped But the largest number, re.
memberlng the injunction against pan.
ic and waiting for the lights to be
turned up remained In their seats.
The flames, sucked by draught--
some say from the open doors, some
say the ventilators In the dome--now
leaped from under the partly lowered
fire curtain upon the women and the
children In the balcony and the gallery.
Instantly the madness was on them
and the first rush In the gloom and the
smoke-yellow glare Of the fire was the
inevitable catastrophe OF the human
cataract on the stairs In few Sec
onds the main exits Of both the balcony
and the gallery were piled rIgh with
unfortunates whose bodies Adde two
living ana dying DHrTlCadeS from which
those still behind recoiled,
Explosions possibly the falling OF
the mass Of burning scenery to tho
stage-shot out what seemed an ava
lanche OF flame, Bistered by the muir
derous heat and burned by sparks,
those who were cut on by the human
barrlcade sought other exits. They
hunted for the doors that led to the fire
Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1904-01-09

escapes. Six ;hree-fOot doors were
there opening upon six three-fOot gig
gag iron stairs, on the outside OF the
building,
These doors were hasped, or they
opened inwards-Just what the clrcum-
stances We're is not Clear-and for
horrid while women and children were
piled up In suifocating mass At least
one OF the doors was opened by men
from the outside who mounted the fire
escapes.
The rush Of the released Victims hurl-
ed some Of them from the landings,
Others fell In a stream from the un-
finished ends Of the Horoscopes,
The explosions of gas or the thun.
derlng fall OF the mass OF scenery drove
those who remained In the theater be-
side themselves. With the fire reaching
for them. those who were still trying to
get out through the ground floor emer-
gency exits rushed so madly as to
wedge the doors.
Persons who were outside saw people
wedged lmmoyably in the doors like the
stones Of an arch, They got out by
spurts as fast as the outsiders pulled
human Keystone out OF the jam. That
was In the parquet.
II that happened at the emergency
exits on the street level II was UNI
speakably worse IN the three-foot flre
escapes Of the balcony and gallery,
where thew were licked by the final
gust OF flame.
BY this time some hremen had ac-
tually battled their way through the
mad mob at the main entrance fleeing
with the fire at its heels. As the last
OF the audience In the parquet shot out
the firemen went In. In the light of
the flames that rose from the stage and
lowered over upon the gallery and bal
cony the firemen saw the shriyeled re-
mains OF that grand audience imprlson-
ed between the barricade OF dead ut
the main exits and the barrier Of bod
les at the fire escapes. The firemen
heard their cries for help, Some were
jumping Into the parquet
The fremen dropped the hose which
they were about 20 direct on the stage
and managed-God only knows how
they manageable run two or three lad
ders to the gallery and balcony and
take down a few blistered Victims of
mans carelessness about man,
But even while the smoke-stranglod
hremen In the deserted parquet were
lighting to run more ladders 20 the i'm.
prlsond victims. their cries ceased and
only the thump Of the fire engines and
the shouts OF the crowd In the street
and the hiss Of water and flames on the
stage were heard.-Paul Thleman in
Denver Post.
Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1904-01-09
WELLINGTON WAS GENEROUS.
Prof. Van Dyke Says Prussian Ser.
vices We're Very Great.

Professor Paul Van Dyke, head Of the
history department In Princeton uni.
versity, expressed himself In regard to
the statement Of Emperor William that
Butcher and the Prussians saved the
English army from defeat at the bat
tie Of Waterloo by saying;
There II a natural tendency on the
part OF German and English historians
TO emphasize the geryices Of their own
armies In the final defeat Of Napoleon.
| would not criticise very much the re-
marks Of Emperor William at the Han.
over banquet, because 1t Is true that II
Butcher and the Prussan had not come
to the English army's assistance Water
loo would not have been at least the
sweeping victory that II was.
Whether the English army would
have been destroyed had this assistance
not been forthcoming is hypothetical
history. The genius Of the battle was
unquestionably the Duke of Wellington.
but the great service OF the Prussians
ought not to be underestlmated. 1t was
not overlooked by generous minded
Engllshmen. and least Of all by the
Duke Of Wellington.
"The emperor of the German nation
Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1904-01-09
HISTORIANS FAIL TO AGREE THAT THE PRSSANS SAVED WATERLOO

correctly placed credit for the victory
OF Waterloo, said:
Kaiser Wilhelm Is perfectly correct
sc tar as he goes, but he does not 20
far enough In his remarks.
me fury In Great Britain Is ab-
surd, Anybody who Is familiar with
the historical documents knows that n
was equally q Prusslan and English
victory that Wellington's allied army
won at Waterloo. | did not suppose
mat anybody who Is familiar with the
subject did not admit that There is
no question whatever in my mind,
Emperor Napoleon fought the bat
lie with his right hand tied behind
him. lie had TO fight in an abnormal
way. He had to send 1900 OF mis- best
troops against the Prussians-that
tells the whole story. If he had waited
I'VE hours Wellington could not have
stood up under the attack
Perhaps Emperor Wilhelm meant 10
cover the ground when he speaks OF the
rescue OF the English army from de-
structlon at Waterloo. Without that
help the English army would have been
undoubtedly destroyed. About 50 600
Prusslans were on the field before the
battle was over. They lost half as
many men as the English lost. although
they did not open fire until half past
four O'clock Wellington. In a high
state Of excitement, was sending mes
sages hlther and yon for help. Although
ne was a cool general he had no
chance whatever and he made STUPID
mistakes He let many OF his troops
stand there because he thought Ma
poleon was going to attack him on the
right.
III Wellington had done his duty two
days before the battle took place the
battle Of Waterloo would not have been
fought. Wellington did not do as he had
agreed with Butcher They had agreed
to co-operate-if one was attacked the
other was to 90 TO his help. If such
plan had been carried out at Lgny
Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1904-01-09
TIE Iroquois' Fiery Chain Of Death.

study OF the Iroquois theater disaster
Is necessary to understand how It hap.
pened.
After comparing the statements OF
survivors who were on the stage and in
various parts Of the house, and OF per-
SONS who were at the doors on the out.
side at the time and Of fremen who
entered the building while II was burn.
ing, the circumstances are found to be
these
The matinee of "Mr. Bluebeard" was
a scene with which theater goers are
familiar and which adds TO the enjoy
ment Of a show, namely, a house sold
out and with standing room only.
The splendid Iroquois was jammed to
the doors. The back Of the main or
ground floor. was filled with men stand.
Ing The places OF vantage in the bal
cony called in the east the dress cir.
cle') were also crowded with persons
standing The gallery was packed.
h' p'dNHlk 'hlliNlbl VI tnt IOUltSt
temple OF Thespis In Chicago was 100 in
the parquet, whit "A box seats, 465 in
the balcony, with l6 box seats, and AS
in the gallery-all told, loo. But fully
Zoo persons had passed the doors.
About 800 men, 900 women and 900 chill
dren were enjoying the beautiful scene.
In the Pale Moonlight at 3;12 o'clock.
All theater goers have been in such
lI1ianNao nd
sclously cheek by jowl with death In its
most CHASTITY form.
When civic societies and social 0rga.
nizations give entertainments and when
grand bazars and balls are held for
which persons not In the theatrical
business are responsible 1t Is usual to
unload the burden OF risk on the fire
department. Everybody has seen the
fire company In the side street on oc-
casions when thousands OF women and
children were out
But theatrical men are used TO the
risk which alarms others when they
realize what crush they will have and
sends them to the fire department for
relief from anxiety.
AS this study Of the Chicago disaster
Will presently disclose, fire company
at the stage entrance would have re.
duced the death list TO those trampled
In the always possible panic,
OF course, a request from theatrical
manager. whose house Ia crowded with
children, for fire company and pla,
toon Of police, would be regarded az in.
finitely cheeky,
The first link In the chain OF clrcum.
stance that imprisoned several hundred
Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1904-01-09

no Waterloo would have had 10 be
fought
But English historians shuttle out
OF that. There Is much TO be said i'm
such controversial matter as this. and
one must be careful to have proof for
statements.
III was "A very curious document with
which Wellington made his report to
Parliament after the battle. He fought
the battle like a good soldier that he
was. but he made his report like a poll
tlcian and diplomat But the Germans
always have taken the view that Wei
lington would have been defeated IL
Blucher had not helped him. We'll
llngton's army was not concentrated.
hut was strung out 80 miles. What
could not Napoleon have done n the
PIuss!ans and allies had not got To-
gether in sufficient numbers TO stand
for batte?"
Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1904-01-09
Commenting on Emperor Williams Claim Of Supreme Credit for
BIlecher American Professors Generally Admit Laters
Timely Aid, but Award Palm 10 Wellington

yH%HAT TO the Hanoyeian lie the kaiser
the Hanoyerians and army from de-
stucon at Waterloo has reused
enperorH words have been Herald
wrath Of history the grand
again marshaled The battle
IA pins blue and pins suffering maps
saved the English" exclaim professors history Ab
students OF the an
there Who while admitting Wellington
the the credit Napoleon should
equally divided as the British promise
that Butcher should to his aid
address, which declare discussion which
left fopdv
relations 49, at Hanover
the celebration Of the hundredh organization
commanded
struck commemoraton speech was mado
at a banquet
thanks said bone
follow example To the
oft
sausrc the British ''''