The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1922-01-29
streets Rored On.


Shortly after the arrival of the
police Columbia Road was roped
OF from Biltmore street to Eight
eenth street in the belief that the
north wall of the playhouse. which
swayed perilously in the wind
would crash in on the wreckage.
Police and hremen, disreEardinE
the menace Of the swsying wall
worked in the piles Of mortar
bricks and ooncnete to dig out the
dead and injured.
One of the first OF the injured
taken out was a small boy. hardly
more than IL years old. He WAS
pinned from the waist down un-
der twisted wreckage but retained
consciousness. He was unable TO
speak, however, and his name was
not learned
Ambulances from Emergency.
Casualty, Sibley and George Wash
ington hospitals were pressed into
service and several ambulanccs
from Walter Reed Hospital brought
army surgeons, and doctors TO lend
aid
Despite the blizzard. some OF tho
escaped Audience estimated that at
least 500 persons were in the thea
ter. Others placed the audience a.
high a.; 1900. Police were inclined
10 accept the 500 estimates as nearer
tho truth. n me Of the attaches OF
the theatcr could he located 60 give
official estimates OF the number OF
tickets sold.
Rescuers were hampercd by tho
swirling snow. Hundreds Of jacks
were beink used 10 life the debris
Large portions Of the fallen roof
remained intact. making IL noces-
sary to dig with picks and crow bars
TO get TO those imprisoned under
meath.
Two pritses. the Rev. Thomas
Walsh. of St Thomas CHURCH. and
the Rev. william Carroll OF 81.
Paul's Church, administered the last
rites Of the Catholic church 60 the
dying who could not be reached.
Kneeling in the snow and wreckage.
the two priests alternately prayed
and gave their strength in llftius
beams from the injured.
Pew make Escape.
A small number managed TO cs-
cape before the roof crashed. Tho
biggest part OF the audience were
well down in front and few were
abla to take advantage OF the mo-
mentary warning given by the roofs
supports when they gave way.
The first body to be taken from
the ruins was that of Mrs. 3. A
Covell, 50. The next victim was a
10-year-old child. The child was
crushed, and believed fatally hurt.
The roof first began 10 give away
from the balcony. IL swung down.
almost touching the heads of the
frightened patrons. seemed 10 hest
tate a moment in its deadly dror.
then buckled and fell on top OF me
orchestra seats.
Men and women screamed and
tried to jump from their seats. but
the falling roof caught most OF them.
Then. as the sound Of crashing and
wrenching timbers and girders died
sWsy. a summed silence fell over the
scene. Id.
Several persons passing on the
street came running toward the
theateE when they heard the noise
Of the crash. Soon the smothered
moans and shrieks OF the injured
could be heard coming from under
the wreckage.
Two children, Francis and Jack
Duncan, Is to'12 years old. respec.
lively. who h>j gone to the movie
theater without their parents. ara
believed under the wrccksge.
Tho theater Is OF brick. haS
capacity OF 2.eee. and WIS con
structed in 1919. Fire apparatus
was kept in preparation 10 act
quickly at the first sign Of frc but
Contsnaed on Paee Twe.