Year: 1876

A TERRIBLE DISASTER.

 Particulars of tho Panic in a San Francisco PIayhouse--Nfneteen ChinRnaen Crushed and suHocated ro Death--N1ne Wounded --StranGe SceneR.

 l The San Francisco Post has the fol- lowing account of the terrible conse- quences resulting from panic seizing a multitude of human beings at the Royal Chinese Theater. It was the occasion of benefit to some of the favorite &C., tors, and the building was crowded to overhowing, more than two thousand persons being present. About midnight a small fire was discovered in the mat ting on the floor by one of the audience, and the fact was heedlessly shouted out, acting like spark in 8 barrel of gun powder, bringing the spectators to their feet and causing & simultaneous rush for the door, each individual anxious only for his own safety, as is the case at all such times. From above and below the frightened mass poured out 2 surg ing, frantic crowd, and becoming | damned at the small entrance, progress was prevented, and the gathering mass soon became too heavy for the stairs, which gave way and precipitated the crowd downward. The doors giving way at the same time fell forward with 1 all their ponderous weight, crushing those upon whom they fell, while the frightened ones jumped forward to take advantage of the opening made, and passing over the doors rendered allhope for tho victims underneath ont of the question.

 The shrieks and howls of the sufferera had attracted the attention of several police officers who, hurrying to the spot and realizing the situation, sent word to the station for help, while they endeav- ored to stop the flying stream that came pouring out. Vigorous action was taken, and by dint of strong arms and heavy clubs tho crowd was At last prevailed upon to cease it's struggles. This was the more easily accomplished, inasmuch as the fire had been extinguished by A Chinese convert named Adam Quinn, and, the fact becoming known, efforts to make an exit were given over and quiet restored. The officers from the station arriving, the crowd was driven back into the theater, while attention was paid to the wounded and dying, whose moans and groans were piteous to hear. Upon raising the door those underneath were found with the life literally crushed out of their bodies. In all there were twenty eight bodies car ried out, nineteen of whom were quite dead. two probably fatally injured and seven badly injured. The audience was then allowed to pass out.

 All this time the acting had been eo- ing on, in utter disregard of the panic, the players not comprehending the nature of the exit so suddenly attempt ed; but when the crowd had all gone the actors followed it, and in their ghastly paint covered faces made a fit ting auxiliary to the frightful tragedy, the de'aOuenae'at to which was such dread ful reality.

 The scene in the street beggars de- soription. The news had traveled with all the proverbial speed of tidings of evil nature, and thousands of Ohinamen were gathered, their natural stolidity wakened into gaping wonder at the sick ening sight of the bodies lying on the sidewalk, the dead with their glassy stare and stiff posture making hideous contrast to the anguished groans and writhings of the injured. The debris from the broken portion of the building was pressed into service to act as itters upon which to convey the wounded to the hospital, while hearse and wagon were used to convey the dead to the morgue, where they were deposited, nineteen in number. Many of the dead were found without any marks upon their persons except the blood which had spurted from their noses and ears in the agony of sufocation. Several who were apparently dead revived upon being taken into the air. Six were taken to the hospital and cared for. One of the number afterward sufficiently re- covered to be taken away. and it if thought four out of the remaining five will recover, the other one being given up as hopeless. They all suffered from congestion of the brain, caused by the stifing process through which they had passed. A jury was empaneled and viewed the bodies. Crowds of both whites and Chinese were in attendance at the morgue, seeking to gain admis, sion to look at the dead, aud much dis- satisfaction was expressed by the whites because they were debarred the Rhastly pleasure while the Chinamen were grant. cd the privilege.

 There were five of the yet living vic tims in the hospital, none of whom have yet shown any signs of consciousness. One of them there is hardly any hope for, but tue others, it is believed, will live. It has not been possible to identify them, and the only way in which thei, friends can know that they still live is by seeing those who are dead, all oi whom are now lying at the morgus, and have been identified with one exception. Crowds of ChinAmen all the morning continued to flock to view the bodies aa they were laid out cold and stiff. There is remarkable absence of any marks o1 violence upon ths bodies, and many a Ohinaman looks quite as revolting when merely asleep. In one or two instances legs were broken, but beyond that no violence is evident, suffocation having been the cause of death in almost eve " instance. The friends of the dead as they pass in and out show no signs o1 grief, but look as if it were matter oi ardinary business they were transacting. | Centennial Stnek