New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-06-03
CONEY ISLAND PLUNGED
INTO STYG|AN GLOOM
When ReveIry Is at Its Height
10000 Electric Lights
Beam Mo More.
GAS LAMPS TO THE RESCUE
Resort Absolutely Dark for IL
Minutes-Edison Plant Re-
ports omething Wrong
with the Gables.

With two hundred thousand persons
surging through her streets and places OF
amusement. Coney Island was plunged into
utter darkness last night, when all the
lights controlled by the Edison power
plant went out simultaneously. For
period of twelve minutes. beginning at 9S3
not a light could he had for love or riches
and it was not until the gas lamps. long
out Of use. were sworn into service that
persons could find their way about.
The only explanation vouchsafed by the
Edison people WAS the cnigmatical state
ment that something had gone wrong with
one of the cables"
Just when the fun was at its maddest
whirl: when girls were giGgling I'm the
mazes of the scenic rides; when "barkers
were shouting their hot dogs with hrazen
throats; when all Coney Island was giving
herself to the wild abandon Of the reNelry
of ioy-thc lights went OUT. some Sixty
thousand of them, ii is estimated. and IN
the ensuing moments Il great hush fell
over the entire resort. with lishts and brill
fancy went noise aud mirth. The place was
plunged into Styeian gloom. Coney island
had lost her jewels and gave way 10 her
grief.
Thirty thousand persons Were damned
within the confines OF Luna when darkness
descended. Everything was In full swing
at the moment. scenic railways. moving
pictures. chutes and trips to the moon
and then-ddrkness.
Fred Thompson. manager of the park.
assumed active command at once. Seeing
it was impossible to get light. he ordered
the four brass bands i'm the place 10 play
continuously. and a wild medley of popular
airs broke upon the gloom Of the surround
ings Soon the crowds. pedged together
and uneasy at first. appreciated the situa-
ton and began TO applaud with enthusiasm.
Some care-free couples even began 10 rock
and glide i'm the eVolutions of TN. turkey
trot" Thus did music hold sway at Luna.
Some Of the larger scenic railways along
surf avenue. being controlled as to motive
power and electric light by the same plant.
were doublv paralyzed. Cars filled with
laughing. shriekng men and women.
stopped suddenly in mid-air. or 50 It
seemed. and were marooned In . sea Of
blackness. Some Of the more eXcitable at
tempted 20 climb out Of the cars. sixty
feet above ground. but were restrained by
others.
In the restaurants there was considerable
confusion II was at FIRST believed that
some Of the striking walters had discon-
nected the wires. out OF revenge for their
fancied grievances IN some cases the
managers OF these places secuted about and
obtained candles but in tho majority -
eating places there were no candles 10 be
had and the guests did not know whether
they were eating soup or chops
In Henderson's restaurant. where a
vaudeville performance helps 70 ease the
passage Of the viands down the guests
threats. two comedians. Darby and Dale.
were I'm the middle Of a song. Hardly in
terrupting their performance. they ran to
the dressing rooms and got two candles.
These they placed. one at each end Of the
stage. and proceeded with their perform
ance. Their ingenuity was rewarded with
salvo Of applause.
Within few moments after tho lights
went out, thunder and lightning storin
made its appearance from over the ocean.
Tn vivid streaks of electricity uccom-
panied by the heavy caunonading OF Ne
thunder clouds. frightened many persons.
who predicted the end Of the world OF lesser
troubles.
Lieutenant Cowboys. Of the coney lsland
station. hustled all his reserves out Oh III
streets. and his men helped TO calm The
fears of the timid and escort them 10 the
culver and West End stations. whose lights
had not failed.
| ? ON Surf avenue and the BOwery. Wherc
some Of the rOuGher element were gath
| cred. there was lot OF disorder but this
was soon queled by the police. who KEPT
a sharp lookout for pickpockots anu
| Strong arm men.
At precisely 40 every light resumed It's
duty. and Coney Island was happy again.
| fIer diamonds had been restored. pI with
tho dance