The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1915-10-23
COOL HEADS IN THEATRE PANIC AVERT TRAGEDY Cry of Fire in New Fire proof Structure Stampedes
 Audience. THREE WOMEN ARE
 OVERCOME IN RUSH Smoke From Bonfire Nearby Stirs Patron to Give Cry
 of Warning.

The cry of "Ffre!" in the West End theatre, 8 new and freproof structure at 1241 State street, last night, precipitated a panic which re- suled in the fainting of three women. One was so seriously overcome from the crushing of 6 large part of the 1900 men, women and children pres ent at the time that she had to be re- moved to her home in an automobile by Manager Nelson c. Lund.
 That a loss of life did not result from the panic is today ascribed to the efficient management and the vo- cal powers of Henry J. Waters, deputy city auditor, residing at 1166 Fairfield avenue, who was attending the nov ing picture performance with his wife.
 MT Waters, occupying a seat in the front row of the gallery, seeing the danger below and about him, vocifer- ously appealed to the panic stricken audience, ''Sit Down! There is no Danger!' he yelled. Tkese and like quieting admonitions finally had effect
 After the three women who had fafnted had been revived in the open air, many patrons returned and the performance was renewed
 It was shortly after g o'clock last night when the smell of smoke enter ed the theatre through one of the exits well forward in the theatre. The smoke had issued from a pile of rub Dish collected by the nigh wind that was blowing through 8 narrow pas sageway adjoining the theatre into which it is belived a cigarette may have been carelessly thrown.
 Those in the front row of seats be- came uneasy as the volume of smoke Increased and MT. Lund had sent an usher to ascertain the cause of the smoke, though he felt no uneasiness at the incident.
 vaded the auditorium the cry of 'tFire." rang from the throat of some boy.
 It was like an electric spsrE to the powder train. In an instant similar cries were being shouted throughout the house and the spec tators were on their feet.
 The orchestra of 12 pieces began in strtdent tones the playing of Tip perary'' while women shrieked and children cried. For a moment it was a stampede in the dark, when with rare presence of mind 8 theatre at tache turned switch which flash ed a. blaze of light throughout the house.
 The picture that presented itself to MT. Waters was astounding. Where all had been peacefu1 minute be- fore there was chaos. Boys were climbing over vacated seats, while in the aisles there was a mad, pushing of women and children. Tn this melee many men displayed alcoward- ice that caused misses and cries of warning from other more cool-headed individuals who tried to stay the stampeded crowd.
 Warning his wife that the building was entirely hreproof. MT. Waters used his voice to good advantage, being plainly heard by others above the din below.
 It was not until one woman had tainted in downstairs aisle and was dragged from beneath the feet of the people in the aisle, and two had been overcome by the crush for the main doorway. that a sembIance of order was restored.
 MT. Lund imm mediately mounted the stage and assured all that the fire outside had been extinguished. The majority of the audience returned to their. seats, heartily ashamed of their previous conduct. The performance was continued.
 So weak was one of the women who had succumbed that she had to be conveyed to her home in an au- tomo bile provided by the management of the theater.