Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1905-01-12
THIRTY PEOPLE HURT
Accident at the Metropolitan Opera
House.
MUSIC WAS DROWNED BY SHRIEKS.
Panic In the Vast Audience Prevented by
Presence Of Mind Of the Chorus and
the Earnest Persuas o Of Heinrich Conried
Bridge Used In the First Act Of "Carmen''
C0llapses.

New York Especially BY the break
ing of a bridge over the stage in the
Metropolitan Opera House, at Fortieth
street and Broadway, during a perform
ance of Carmen" nine persons who
were beneath it were injured, few OF
them seriously.
Notwithstanding the fact that the
accident occurred in full view of an
audience that filled every scat IN the
vast auditorium, there was not the slight
est scmblance of a panic, and after a
few minutes delay the performance was
continued minus the bridge and the in
jurcd people.
Ambulances responded to hurry calls
from the New York, Bellevue and
Roosevelt hospitals and the I'M urcd were
taken 10 those institutions for treatment.
Frank Palmer, the stage carpenter,
was arrested, charged with negligence,
but at the request of the management
of the opera house he was permitted to
return to the theatcr until the conclu-
sion of the performance.
The accident occurred ten minutes
after the curtain had been rung up on
the opening act. The act was at that
time we'll filled with chorus girls and
several of the principals. Everything
was proceeding along smoothly, when
suddenly crcaking noise was heard,
instantly followed by a crash.
The bridge upon which were stand
ing seven men, participants in the scene,
had broken in the middle and the dis
jointed ends smashed into the chorus
on the stage below. piling III a heap
those on each side of them.
All was confusion on the stage; but
only for moment. The great asbestos
curtain was hurricdly rung down, shut
ting everything from the view OF the
audience Herr Conricd, the director OF
the Opera House, was in his box wit
Messing the performance. lie Jumped
on the stage in front of the hreproof
curtain, and moving over to the center
raised his hand in warning and shouted
MY friends, we have had an accident
here, but it is not serious. lew have
been injured, but none very badly. Per
hapS some OF them are more scared thail
hurt. The performance viii be resumed
in few minutes
Mr.. Conried's rcasSuring words were
hardly necessary, for, with the exception
OF a few nervous women, the audience
remained perfectly calm.
In fact, it appeared as though many
OF those who were present considered
the breaking of the bridge as an lnnova-
ton included in the presentation OF the
opera. A few minutes later the major
part of the male portion OF the aIdience
was gathered in the lobby discussing the
accident over cigars and cigarettes, whiie
the feminine portion was betting boxes
of candy with each other as to the length
of time that it would take to clear the
stage.
After delay of about half an hour
during which period the broken bridge,
was torn down and the injured carried
away, the curtain went up again and the
performance proceeded.
One OF the peCulldI FEATURES VI NV
accident was that the seven men on the
bridge when it collapsed were absolutely
unhurt, although somewhat shaken up
When seen shortly after the accident
Herr Conreid said;
81 have made hasty examination OF
the bridge, and, while my conclusions are
not definite, | am of the opinion that
there was a flaw in the iron bar that was
placed on the balloon of the bridge to
strengthen it In addition to the iron
bar there was thick scantling, but when
the bar gave way the scantling was not
strong enough apparently, to sustain the
weight of the bridge and those upon It,
The bridge was practically new and
thoroughly tested shortly before the per,
formance. This test consisted OF several
men jumping on it, 1t was all right
when the curtain went up and flaw IN
the supporting bar is the only reason |
can assign for it collapsing.