The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-01-15

control until early this morning, after as- sistance had arrived from Reading and 1 Pottstown."
 | Charles B. Spatz, editor of the local | daily paper, and a former member of the l legislature, escaped, but only to be in- | jured a few moments later He was fight ing the flames and was standing upon ladder when he slipped and fell. Three ribs were broken, and he was hurt about the head.
 Man Lost His Wife. One man who sat with his wife and young son in the seventh row, and who told of his experience today with his body swathed in bandages. said:
 Near end of the third act, pictures were being shown, when suddenly a loud noise was heaIo This caused the people in the rear of the house to surge toward the stage as if they wanted to find out the cause. In the rush a num- Der of lamps were upset and they ex- ploded, throwing the blazing oil in every direction and the entire hall was in blaze within a moment. This caused a terrible rush for the doors and during the next few minutes, people went crazy, knocking each other down and trampling each other under foot. It is a battle in which the strong only had chance to escape. I grabbed my small son, George and struggled to the window intending to
 
 so. Fortunately he landed on the fire escape and managed to climb down to safety. This I did not know, and 1 l imagined that he would be badly hurt in the fall to the street but l pre- l ferred this to having him burned to death I then tried to find my wife, but l this was impossible and I searched until the flames grew so hot that l was forced 1 to leave the building
 | The man was almost distracted as he told his story. He is the father of five 1 children, four of whom were left at 1 home last night.
 Special Trains Arrive. l The special trains from Reading brought l members of the state constabulary, surgeons, trained nurses and large supply of hospital stores and first aid to 1 the injured.
 The state constabulary immediately took charge and roped off the scene of horror Early this morning a gasoline tank ex- | ploded and blew down the standing walls and but for precaution of the guards l many others would have been killed. The building which was destroyed was large l brick structure three stories high. The l first floor was occupied by the Farmers 1 National bank and a hardware store. The l second and third floors were occupied by l the opera house and a lodge.
 The building also extended on Washing | l the rear of the bank were four large dwelling houses, which were part of the 1 building. These were burned. Survivors l and spectators unite in saying that the at l tending scenes were the most horrible | that can be imagined. People threw them selves from the balcony into the body of the theatre, hoping to find some means Of escape. Others jumped from the windows of the buildings and were either maimed or killed. Meanwhile the flames which had broken out on the stage were spread ing rapidly throughout the building, seem | ingly eager for their prey. Waiting In Vain. l Those who had fallen in the wild rush, and who were so badly maimed that they
 were beyond all power to struggle and
 fight, were waiting in anguish, their cries
 adding to the horror of the situation.
 They could do nothing but wait helpless ly for their fate-to be roasted to death
 in the roaring, raging furnace.
 There were many heroes in the awful
 catastrophe. Some are not alive to tell
 of their deeds. Fathers and mothers who
 might have saved themselves fingered tc
 get their children. perished in the flames
 Brothers, who might have gotten out r
 safety, hesitated to make sure that theii
 sisters were safe, and they, too, are mum.
 bered among the dead. Sweethearts, witt
 little thought for themselves bent all theil
 energy in an effort to rescue their com
 panlons and their lives were also added to the harvest of death.
 Many that had reached the outside fl
 safety dashed back into the burning build . Ing in a mad and fruitless desire tt . save.