Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1905-12-30
GREAT
THEATER
DISASTER
Second Anniversary Of the
Burning Of the IrOquOiS
Theater In Chicago

Chicago, Dec. 30.-Two years ago to.
day the Iroquois theater was destroyed
by FIRE and nearly six hundred lives,
mostly women and children, were lost
In the holocause. The day is observed
here generally and flags are at half.
mast everywhere. Many Of the churches
held special memorial services this
morning, and some Of the Protestant
churches viii hold special services this
evening. The gravys Of the hundred Of
victims Of the disaster in the various
cemeteries were decorated with wreaths
and other floral offerings. Tho graves
Of the unidentified victims were also
decorated.
The Gre at the troquois theatcr was
the most appalling disaster that ever
visited this city, and will long be ro.
memberod by hundreds Of families who
lost one or more Of their members In
tho catastrophe. The frc originated on
tho stage Of the theater during tho mat.
ineo performance o. December 30, 1908
at time whom every part Of tho houso
was crowded with tho usual holiday
crowds Of womon and children. The
theatcr was practically now, having
been opened only a few weeks previous
TO tho Gro. Tho attraction was "Bluo.
board.n which had been running there
since tho opening night ttis believed
that sparks from ono Of tho Vpot'lights
stationed on the sides Of the stage ig'
uitcd some Of the filmsy pieces Of seen.
cry IN tho wings, and In a few moments
tho blaze spread upwards toward tho
fies. Some Of the actors and employees
tried 10 beat out tho flames but did not
succeed, and tho signal was given 90
drop tho frcproof curtain. Owing 10 tho
fact that a rope, with which tho "aeriai
ballet" was manipulated, had been 90
fastened that IL obstruetod tho move.
ments Of tho curtain, the latter could
not bo lowered FOR some time. When
Il was finally released tho hFe had made
such progress on tho stage that the en-
ployes became panic'slrlfken and opened
tho large double door In tho rear of tho
stage and leading 20 the court behind
tho theateF through which the scenery
was brought into and out Of the theateF
The terrible draft caused the "hre
proof" curtain, a thin and himsy affair
10 bulge out Ia the house, aud In few
minutes Il tore and fell and immense
volumes OF smoke aud flames poured
into tho auditorium. AZ that time most
OF tho seats In the house had beea
emptied by the panie-strieken speeta'
tors, and they were erowding through
the few doors as fast as they could
when the smoke and flames poured into
the auditorium, sweeping the whole in
terror, hundreds were overcome. They
fen in heaps right az the exits and were
suffoeated by tho smoke aud heat
Those on top Of the pile were seOrehed
beyond recognition. The situation was
greatly aggravated by the fact that
the usheFs, thinking only Of their own
safety, had lied for their lives, without
stopping long enough to unlock and un
bolt the safety exits provided for on
every door. The spectators, finding the
safety exits bOlted and locked, were
compelled to make their exit through
tho main exits on the Randolph street
side. While crowded around these exits
during the jam they were oveFpowered
by the smoke and flames aud perished
Only few escaped over the ire escape
which they reached from the balcony
The fire was soon under control AT first
il was not thought the loss Of lives had
been great, and the fun extent Of the
disaster was not realized until the fire
men reached the upper floors Of the
house, where they found the dead piled
mp six or eight high, an headed for the
exits, and those on top terribly burned |
The scenes which followed beggar de.
seription. The police department took
charge Of the removal Of the hundreds |
of bodies, and they were taken to the
various morgues and undertaking estab-
lishments, where they were laid in rows
on the bare floors to await identifea-
tion. Many Of the bodies were 50 ter
ribly burned that recognition was i'm
possible. Many Of the bodies were not
identified until several months after the
catastrophe, and a large number of |