Perth Amboy evening news., 1906-04-21
OPERA SINGERS SUFFER
World Famous Stars in Midst of
Frisco Ruins.

Iona Prieta mountain has buried nlne
men alive in their cabins at the Hinck-
ley Greek mill of the Iona Prieta
Lumber company. The slide buried the
saving mill and the cabins in 100 feet
or earth. Another fatal landslide oc-
Cured at Deer Greek mill. John Han
nah and James Franklin were caught
in their cabins and killed.
OF the large New York opera COM
pany who were victims of the earth
quake and fire in San Francisco but
very few saved anything except what
they had stood in. Several of those
stopping In the Oaks hotel were awak-
ened by plaster from the ceiling falling
on their beds and had barely time to
fee from their lives. One singer was
seen standing in the street barefoot
and clad only in his underwear, but
clutching Il favorite violin which he
had carried with him in his flight.
The first impulse Of many was to
rush for their trains, which. however.
happened to be across the bay. Rossl,
a favorite basso, though almost in
tears. was heard trying his voice ON a
corner near the Palace hotel.
AS an indication of the optimism of
Mr.. Goerlitz, general manager of the
company, it may be stated that until
the Grand Opera House was actually
reached by the flames he had hoped to
give the proposed matinee performance
of The Marriage of Figaro" He and
a few others thought the playhouse
was %freproof. and not ten minutes be-
fore the building Wen up in smoke
some of the musicians were dissuaded
from trying to save their instruments.
Alfred Hertz, the well known Wag-
merriam conductor. was one of those
quartered at the Chutes. He was Civ
en- u place to sleep near the Zoo. He
said.
ITO my dying day I will never forget
my experience when l was awakened
by the roaring of lions. knew not but
that | vas in a jungle or den of wild
beasts"
Mr.. Campanari, the baritone. resem-
bled an immigrant when he boarded
the overland train. He carried his kit
tied in a gay colored blanket on his
shoulder, but was in good spirits.
1T is such a change" was all he
said.
Another n of the party wore the
flowing garb of an Arab chief. and all
were more or less picturesquely cos
tuned. 1t was at this period that a
charming contralto had been compel
led to don some very necessary articles
which had originally been designed for
a gentleman.
NJ. Parvis, NJ. Dufriche, the baritone
and stage manager, and Nine. Du-
friche, the harpist, narrowly escaped
death When the Oaks collapsed. Nine.
Dufriche lost her precious Arard harp
in the fire at the opera house.
Paroli, one of the tenors, was miss
ing, but no anxiety is felt regarding
his fate. He was seen after the earth
quake, and it was supposed he became
confused and failed to find his train.
The courage displayed by some of
the artists. notably Miss Walker and
Miss Bessie Abbott. helped largely to
quiet the fears OF their comrades, and
their kindness to the chorus was highly
appreciated.
After the earthquake Nine. Eames
and Nine. Sembrich found refuge at
the home of DR.. Harry Tevis, but this
later was burned. and they We're then
cared for by other friends.
Miss Fremstad, who had apartments
at the st. Dunstan. was fortunate to
escape with her life. the building being
badly shattered by the earthquake. The
guests at the Palace hotel, among them
being Miss Walker and Miss Abbott.
who We're on the top floor when the
great shock occurred, took it for grant
ed that death was inevitable.
Speaking of the disaster. SignOr Ca
russo, the world famous tenor. said:
1T instantly recalled the horrors in
my native Naples, of which | have
reading. | have no doubt that
the earthquake here has soine relation
to the eruption of Nesuvius."
Miss Walker said
I'VE are too happy TO have saved Our
lives to think of our dresses"
DIPPED spoke in the same strain,
though he lost costumes valued at $15,-
900.
Disaster In Philippines.