Durango semi-weekly herald., 1904-01-04

trinkcts and scraps Of garments are
not left to give clue to their identity.
In some Instances heaps OF charred
flesh and bones was gathered In blank
cts. that being all that was left to tell
the dreadful story.
| Arrangements are being made with
theaters throughout the country to
give benefits for the victims Of the dis
astcr. The catastrophe is the worst
Of any play house fire In the history Of
the world. Not since the fire IN
the Brooklyn theater Dec. }, 1876, has
yesterdays disaster. Then some 265
Of the audience perishcd in the flames,
while in the great Chicago fire OF 1871,
when over 1000 acres were completely
devastated. only 200 iiveo were lost.
The latest authentic list Of the dead
now is 564. missing, 314, injured, Is7.
All night long the crowds came and
went around the morgues where the
bodies Of the victims were known to
be lying. Fathers, brothers, mothers
and sweethearts haunted the doors i'm
ploring for an opportunity to ascertain
whether some loved one were not
within. When the first streak Of day
light appeared on the snowy streets,
the crowd increased in numbers until
the streets were black With cIamorina
people, who for hours Fa5sed UP and
down the long row Of eorpses search.
Ing for the faces Of their missing.
No one is admitted to the ruins Of
the thcater today, excepting police.
men and firemen and close guard Is
being maintained. It is altogether
likely that the theater cannot be
thoroughly cleared for some time, al.
though the work is proceeding with
feverish rapidity. Vast quantities OF
jewels, furs and costly wearing appar.
eI are scattered about the floor Of the
demolished structure, and several wa
gon loads Of costly furs have been TAX
en- to police headquarters, awaiting
Identification.
| Several cases were noted where
whole families attended the theater
and have been lost. Clinton G. Meek
er, young clerk, returning home
found his entire family, consisting OF
his wife, two sons and two daughters,
| had gone to the theater, expecting to
| meet him after the performance. At
noon the bodies Of the entire family
mad been Identified by Mr.. Meeker.
CHICAGO, Dec. 31.--At ! p. m. the
police gave out a revised estimate
placing the number Of dead at ooI;
missing, 200; injured, 400. The news.
papers give 564 as the lowest and SIS
as the hioest number Of dead.
Mayor Harrison 10 receiving teIe-
grams Of sympathy from all parts Of
the world.
| President Roosevelt wired: ain
common with the people throughout
the land, extend to the people Of Chi
cago deepest sympathy In the terrible
catastrophe which has befallen them"
Lord Mayor Richie Of London, cab.
led Mayor Harrison today as follows:
"The citizens Of London offer their
deep sympathy and sincere coincidence
with the American people in the awful
loss Of life in the fire at Chicago"
The board Of trade adjourned at
noon as an expression Of sympathy.
Never in the history Of Chicago has
as much grief been pressed into so
short space Of time.
The faeaoe Of the lroquis theater to.
day presents its usual appea 'ance.
The marble columns and sculptured
figures Of Tragedy and Comedy were
not even biackened by the smoke.
Piles Of clothing. little girls hats,
ribbons, seaiskins, skirts, gloves, pock.
etbooks, watches, jeweIry, overshoes
ETC.. are piled In the corridors in huge
piles.
CHICAGO, Dec. 31.--On the adjoln
ing block to the iroQuis theater is the
big Garris theater which was filled to
overfiowing with people witnessing the
production Of the "Pit," with Wilton
Laokaye, a. the star. When the man
agement Of the Garris heard the news
Of the awful fire, he Immediately lock
cd all the doors In order to preven,
word Of the disaster entering their
house and causing a panic.
Laekaye was called before the cur
tain, and in an impromptu speech he
kept the audience in rosrs Of IaughteI
until arrangements we're made fol
opening all the exits and properly tax
/ Ing care Of the people.
Al the doors Of the Garris there
were heartrendino scenes, friends ane
relatives hugsng and kissing thei'
, frlends a. they left the theater
/, screaming with delight that they hae
not gone To the lroquis-
: Minute examinations are being made
n todsy In the rseords Of tho city build