The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-01-14

HENRY GRINDER.
BLANCHE AND MABEL KOCHEL.
ELLEN GOTTSCHALL
MABEL GIRAFFE
CHILDREN.
JOHN GRAVES.
CHARLES MOYER AND DAUGH-
TER.
DANIEL KRAUSE.
NORRIS ANDERSON AND TWO
CHILDREN.
JAMES ANDERSON, WIFE AND
TWO CHILDREN.
CHARLES MAURER.
STELLA KUTLP.
CARRIE WEAND-
FLORENCE WEAND.
EDNA BOYER.
KELLEY BOYER.
MAMIE tolls
MRS. MAGGIE LETEVERE.
MRS. MARY LEINBACH.
LAURA GRIM.
MRS ADAM MOYER.
DAVID GABLE.
FRANKLIN LE1DY.
ANNA LEIDY.
ESTHER CULLEN
LOTTIE BOWMAN.
ELLA JOHNSON.
ANNA ZEIGLER.
JOHN FRITZ.
CORA FRITZ.
MRS. JOHN GLAZE
MRS. RUEBEN HOFFMAN AND
DAUGHTER.
MRS. JOHNSON.
Somebody Yelled, "Ffre!"
1t is estimated that there were
400 persons in the play house when
the explosion of the gas tank oc-
CURED. The tank was being used in
connection with pictures. An amateur
performance of Scottish Reforma-
ton" for the benefit of ST. Johns
Lutheran Sunday school was being
produced. Instantly after the ex-
fire" and in almost less time than it
takes to tell it the center Of the opera
house was a blazing furnace. The
rapidity with which the flames spread
was caused by the upSetting of the
coal oil lamps used as the footlights
by some of the persons on the stage
who endeavored to allay the fright of
the children and quiet the audience.
But even the men seemed to lose all
control of themselves and fought with
the women and children, who composed
the greater part of the audience to
gain the street In this manner many
women and children who might other
wise have escaped the flames, We're
forced back and trampled upon. Par
ticularly was this case of those who
were caught on the stairways. The
weaker ones were brushed aside and
Scores of persons on the second floor
seeing the awful jam on the stafrways
risked their lives by jumping from the
windows. In this way several were so
badly injured that they died before
reaching any of the numerous tenn
porary hospitals.
There is scarcely a house in the
little town that has not been afflicted
by last nights visitation of fire. Rue
ben W. Slower, one of those who es-
capped the flames in speaking of the
fire today. said:
One Who Escaped Talks.
when the explosion occurred there
was at least 80 boys and girls on the
stage while many more were behind
the scenes. Without warning there
a terrific explosion which seemed
to shake the entire building. I'm
mediately there was wild rush for
the exits. The people on the stage
jumped over the footlights into the
audience. Everybody seemed to have
lost control Of himself. The flames
first consumed the scenery and then
and tho suffocating smoke dropped
men, women and children in its path
The flames did the rest. 1t was pitt
full sight and I will carry the recollec-
ton as long as live. Once the
crowd began to fight it's way to the
I
saved all the lives. but had the men
| not lost control of themselves, the loss
| of life would have been very small
The fire was not brought under con-
| troll until early this morning after as
| sistance had arrived from Reading
and Pottstown. Physicians and nurses
We're also sent to Boyertown from
| Reading and aided materially in
alternating the sufferings of the in
! jured who had leaped from the win
| lows to escape the flames.
| Early today about so members of
the state constabulary which is sta
| toned In this district came over from
| Reading on a special train.
| The work of removing the bodies
| from the debris will be unusually
/ tedious and hazardous. when the
rush was at its height the floor gave
way precipitating many persons to
| the basement and the bodies of these
| Will be buried beneath the charred
| timbers and tons of brick from the
| ruined walls. In addition to the
! opera house and Farmers National
bank. Erhans hardware house and the
| dwellings of George Rain, Harry
! Pennypatfker and Alfred Zashard
were burned.
The monetary loss will amount to
| $4,000.
| How It All Happened
For several months the Sunday