Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1904-01-07
WHAT'S GOING ON.
FIVE MINUTES WITH THE BIG
NEWS OF THE WORLD.
The Chicago Theatre Horror.


The whole world has been stricken will
horror the past week by terrible catas
trophe at Chicago by which nearly 60
lives-the exact number will never b,
known-were lost within a period of ter
minutes. The scene OF the calamity was
the recently completed Iro1uois theatre
one OF the finest playhouses in the coun-
try. II was supposed TO be absolutely
| hreproof and equipped with every appli-
ance for Safeguarding human life. 1t was
at an afternoon matinee Of the musical
extravaganza, "Mr. Bluebeard,p Wednes-
| day, Dec. 30, which popular production
had attracted an audience that tested the
seating capacity of the theatre, which was
about 1000. Women and children COM
posed by far the greater part OF the
audience. No warning Of trouble came.
In the midst of a scene, while a dou BILE
octette were on the stage singing, spark
! from some electrical apparatus used in
Illuminating the stage flew into the light,
papery scenery over the stage and in an
instant communicated to the whole mass.
An attempt was made TO lower the asbes-
tos curtain at the front OF the stage de-
signed TO prevent a draft and to protect
the audience, but il caught when part way
down on reflector and hung there de-
spite frantic efforts 10 lower il. The stage
doors in rear and the public exits in front
were opened by those to reach them first
and fierce draft swept an immense vol
ume OF flames out from the stage, tapping
the faces and forms Of those in the front
rows and in the upper balconies, who had
been stunned TO immoyableness by the
suddenness OF the event Some effort was
made by theatre attaches to keep the
crowd in their seats, but as they saw the
flames approaching the people rushed in a
dreadful panic back toward the exits. II
was scarcely possible for those in 'front.'
a he fssaFfa 4 Eaaf
whole crowd became a confused, strug-
Cling mass. The exits did not open in all
directions promptly and before each the
people iammed into small compass and
speedily became a writhing mass OF dying
and seriously injured. The flames con-
tinued long enough to scorch and burn
many, and others were smothered by the
fumes from the smoking cushions Mean
while the 200 or more participants in the
play were trying their best to escape from
the rear II required strenuous work to
prevent serious calamity among them, but
they finally made their way out without
loss OF life, though scantily clad for the
bitter cold. Fire and police aid soon ar
rived, but there was little to do save to /
remove the hundreds Of broken and |
eharred bodies that lay in huge piles |
inside and about the theatre doors. Near /
By stores and restaurants had to be con- 1
verted into morgues, and here agonized !
relatives sought their dead. About 900 \
have been identified. New Years in Chi /
cago was day OF gloom, instead of the 1
usual day OF merry making. Hundreds OF /
funerals and professions of mourners were 1
taking place all over the city. Condo /
lences have been rendered by the president /
and by many distinguished foreigners.
Theatre companies are holding benefits
Tor the sufferers. The task OF placing the
,esponsibIlity for the disaster has Deen
AIKEN up and many arrests OF those con-
lected with the theatre have been made.
/ is said that the theatre itself was inn
designed and faultily supplied
With life protection. Mayor Harrison has
'losed many OF the Chicago theatres until
hey are better equipped. In other cities
'areful inspection is being made of public
,layhouses. The catastrophe has pro-
iuced deep impression. In loss of life II
urpasses anything of the kind this coun
ry has ever experienced. and only the
Ring theatre disaster in Vienna some years
go, in which 500 perished, exceeds it in
he worlds record OF such fatalities.