New-York tribune., 1905-01-08

Standing clcse together they shut out from tbs
view Of most of the audience the scene OF
suffering behind them. They continued with
their chorus until the curtain could be lowered
at a signal from Herr Conried.
AUDIENCE RISE IN ALARM.
Many in the audience saw men and women
struggling frantically on the stage. with beams
and timbers pressing down heavily upon the
bodies OF several Men and women in the or
chestra and balconies rose to their feet in
horror and alarm. simultaneously the well
trained ushers. who had been put through a fire
drill only a few hours before last nights per-
formance. sprang TO all the exits, throwing the
doors wide open and turning up the lights. In
the mean time Herr Conried had jumped from
the box he occupied to the stage. and in voice
he strove to make calm addressed the fright
ened audience.
Ladies and gentlemen" he said Thank
God none of US ere seriously injured. Some OF
US are more frightened than hurt If you will
bear with We'll go with the play In a
little while"
Herr Conried's cool speech had the desired
effect. The audience without exception re-
sumed their seats. and ten minutes afterward
the curtain was rung up and the opera resumed.
The audience evidently did not realize the seri-
Gus extent Of the accident
While the uninjured members Of the company
were singing courageously before the footIights.
an exciting scene was witnessed both behind the
sceres and outside the Opera House The instant
the curtain was lowered after the accident stage
| hands and the uninjured members of the cast
| tenderly dragged the wounded men and women
! from the debris and bore them from the stage
Ambulances had been summoned that Of Belle
vue Hospital being the first to arrive Others
| from Bellevue and Roosevelt soon followed.
l 4R.,.
dressed. and those badly hurt were hurried away
TO the hospitals
Three physicians in the audience went behind
the scenes and gave first aid to the injured prior
/ to the arrival OF the ambuIances.
| The principals lent every assistance in their
| power TO the injured and were powerful in
straining the more excitable of the chorus
/ The majority of the chorus and stage hands
are Italians. and the excitement of the accdeIrr
! took possession of them all. causing them to
rush frantically around after their first brave
behavior. wrnging their hands and shrieking
/ Herr COnried did hts best 10 calm everybody
1 behind the scenes. as we'll as in front
In the mean time had spread
rumor outside that the ceiling of the Opera
/ House had fallen in burying the entire audience
As result crowd gathered outside the various
I entrances OF the Opera House. and the arrival
! OF the ambulances increased it's nEmbers. Sew
eral people. talking loudly tried to get into the
/ house Hearing the noise in the corridor. Herr
/ Conried rushed out and whispered to the police.
I For Gods sake keep those people out
/ there'n be a panic. Don't let this noise reach
/ the folks inside"
/ The police acted promptly. Praise must be
/ given to them. well TO the Opera House
/ stan, for the manner in which they controlled
\ the situation.
/ Some OF the relatives OF wounded men and
| women singers heard OF, the accident and hur-
ried around to the stage entrance, where their
/ fears were quieted by the management
/ Within an hour Of the accident the injured
/ Continued ninth page.