The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-11-26

pointed committee. composed of DR.,
Adams, W. Hay. Mr.. Ralston and Mr.. F.
Gamble. to collect and deposit the re-
mains of the victims in urns for com
mon burial. All stores were shut for
forty eight hours.
The Council also adopted an ordi-
nance that there should be no thcatri-
cal performance In the city for four
months. upon penalty Of fine Of 1886
per hour. tt g
a mass-meeting was held on tho
same day at the Capitol. The Mayor
presided. Committees We're appointed
from each of the three wards-Jefrcr-
SON. Madison and Monroc-to get the b
names of the dead by canvass of
every house. SO that the roll might be
preserved for postcrity. January was
set apart as day of fasting and hu-
initiation. Sermons were preached a
that time by Rev John Buchanan and
Rev. John D. Blair, respectively the
Episcopal and Presbyterian minister's
OF Richmond. All citizens wore crane
for q month.
To Prepare Memorial.
Judge John Marshall was made
chairman OF committee to decide
upon a memorial. and associated with
him were Thomas Taylor, Joseph
Marx. William Fenwick and BENJAMIN
Hatcher.
committee was also selected to In
quire o5the cause OF the fire, which {
reported on the negligence In con-
struction of the theatre.
Part of the site of tho structure was 8
Immediately bought by the city, and
plans were made for the funeral. Many
corpses were unidentified. because OF
their consumption In the flames, and
by common consent 1t was agreed that
every body should BIO buried in tho
theatre lot sf Il
The funeral procession was had on
Sunday, December 30. The procession
began "at Mr.. Edward Trent's, on
Main Street. where the remains of tho
unfortunate Mrs. Patterson lay" Tho I
corpse came first then the clergy. tho
mourners. the executive council OF
Virginia. the directors OF the Bank
of Virginia, the judiciary OF the city
and State, the members OF the Legis-
lature the Court of Hastings, tho
Common Council, citizens on foot and
horseback Collecting other, corpses on
z the way, the procession moved up
Capitol Hill. where all the remains 4
were placed in two large mahogany
boxes, in which were inclosed the
ashes and relics of the deceased. Tho
two boxes We're placed In one grave,
in the centre of the spot where was
the pit OF the theatre. The service 4
for the dead was read by Mr.. Buch-
anan.
In othre cities the keenest Interest \
was felt and sympathy shown. Con- X
gross adjourned on receipt OF the !
news. Dancing and theatrical per-
formances were suspended In other
cities Of the state: all over tho coun- 4
try municipal bodies passed resolu-
lions of coincidence. Governor Smiths
memory was honored by public SER
vices. i..embers of the State govern
ment wearing Grape for thirty days.
Sunday sermons were preached. n
notably by Rev. Samuel Miller in tho E
First Presbyterian Church of New
York, and Rev. George Richards in
the Universalist Church of Philadel-t
pha, on the lishtmindedness of the
age, referring especially to the friv-
oloousness of theatre going. N
Church Placed on Site.
From many sources came the money
with which Monumental Church was
built Filled with sorrow and with
desire to preserve the spot for re.
ligious purposes. the citizens and off,
cial bodies generally contributed to q
the erection OF the structure. Tho
hallowed associations OF the Begin
nings are always with it The monu-
mcnt In the portico reminds every
worshipper of the event of q century
agonc.
But the City Council of Richmond
was the first donor. and occupies tho
place at the head OF subscribers. on
February II. 1872. it was determined
to buy the entire site of tho theatre
out OF public funds, ana .ater the City
Chamberlain paid out $4,000 for this 4
purpose. 1t is recorded that 1t Is the
wish 'of this body. representing thu
people OF Richmond. that the spot
shall be devoted TO keeping In mind
the names aid memories OF tie dead
and to divine worship. forever and y.
forever.