Authors of Theater Horror in Danger from Mob.
TOTAL DEATH LIST IS 26
Souvenir Seekers Fight for Awful Relics of the Tragedy.
Investigation Shows That Picture Film Did Not Burn – Canonsburg a City of Frantic Grief – Father Finds Children Dead as He Aids The Work Of Rescue. Man and Fiancée Perish Together – 13 of Victims Children.
CANONSBURG, Penn., Aug. 27. – rewards have been offered for the arrest and conviction of the person who cried “fire” in the Morgan Opera House here last night, causing a panic in which 26 persons were trampled to death and at least 40 others hurt. The police fear that if he is captured he will be dealt with violently, as threats are heard on all sides. A report was circulated tonight that a suspect had been arrested. In less than five minutes 1,000 persons started on a run for the little lock-up, but were told that it was all a mistake, and that no arrests had been made.
Canonsburg has not yet recovered from the shock of the tragedy. The little town is alive with people. Street cars and trains brought in crowds of 50,000 this afternoon. Many of them made a rush for the opera house to search for souvenirs. Stickpins, finger rings, bracelets, watch chains, wearing apparel of all sorts, and even pieces of human fingers were found inside and outside the building.
Souvenir-Seeker Riot.
Several riots took place among the souvenir-seekers, and the police were called out to quell the disturbances. Early this morning the police were called upon to prevent people from tearing boards from the sides of the building wherein the panic occurred.
The scenes in Canonsburg tonight are heartrending. Frantic parents walk the streets wringing their hands and tearing their hair. There are 25 persons hurt in the stampede under the doctors’ care. More than ten others are also known to be hurt. Most of the dead have been identified and the bodies removed to their homes in Canonsburg. A score of funerals will take place tomorrow and Tuesday. Undertakers are busy supplying the coffins and arranging for the many burials. The coroner’s jury arrived in Canonsburg from Washington, Pa. this afternoon to begin a careful investigation.
Members of the jury tonight declared themselves ready to make a rigid investigation onto the disaster and to place the blame on those responsible. The inquest will not take place until Thursday.
Police Blame Two Boys.
Police today declared that they had sufficient evidence to convince them that the cry of “Fire!” which caused the panic, was emitted by two boys in the gallery, and that they would likely be taken into custody before tomorrow
It developed during the day that there was no flash, nor was there the slightest sign of fire. Manager Ferguson of the opera house, explained that when the film broke, a bright light was thrown on the screen. The frightened boys imagined it was a fire, and unconsciously shouted out the death knell of more than a score of persons.
At the cry of fire, Bolus Dubrowski, a foreign miner, a giant in proportions, jumped from his seat and ran wildly for an exit.in a moment there was a fighting, struggling mass after him.
At the head of a narrow stairway, which led to the street, the forieghner tripped. As he rolled down the stairs he swet others before him, who were waiting their turn to enter the theater, and soon there was an indescribable pile of human beings at the foot of the steps, battling like mad.
Manager Saves Many Lives.
During this time manger Ferguson endeavored to stop the panic. Accompanied by his wife, he started for the stairs when the first alarm was given, but seeing there was no escape, made his way to the stage. Calling loudly to the frightened people to follow him, he led the way to the rear of the stage, and fully 300 escaped in this way.
Of the 26 dead, 13 were children, 7 them pupils in the public schools. Today it was decided by the school authorities to postpone for a week the opening of the schools.
Arthur McPeake, who is among the dead, was passing when the bodies began to pile up at the door. The young man rushed to the rescue, and was in the act of dragging a body from the pile when a man came hurtling down the stairs. He struck McPeake on the back, and the young man’s neck was broken.
Dead With His Fiancée.
Sydney Rittinger was at the performance with his fiancée, Miss Lulu Fisher. Before entering the building they had stopped at the jewelry store nearby and Rittinger had bought the ring that was to have been used at their wedding. Both were killed.
Wilmer Lane, a volunteer fireman, hastened to answer the alarm, at was working at the pile of bodies at the entrance when he came upon the lifeless forms of his children, lying beside his unconscious wife.
Samuel Lane of Morganza, entered the building a short time before the alarm was given. He was making his way down when he saw a child almost under his feet. As he stooped to pick her up, he recognized his granddaughter, but at that moment he was caught up in the mighty whirl and she was swept out of his reach and killed.
Lane was seriously hurt.
Among the most seriously injured is Mrs. Minnie Lemon of Lawrenceville, Ill., who was visiting friends at Houston , near here. Tonight physicians believe that her mind is affected on account of her harrowing experience. Mrs. lemon is at the Canonsburg hospital, and cries continually to be saved.
It is reported tonight that there were several baby carriages at the bottom of the stairway. It is said that these seriously handicapped the audience in the rush for the street. Coroner Heffran has announced that this allegation will be thoroughly investigated.
Investigation is ordered.
Immediately on receipt of the news of the disaster at the Opera House in Canonsburg State Inspector John Delaney telegraphed J. R. Peterson of Beaver Falls, Penn., Deputy Inspector for that district, to make a complete investigation without delay, and to report to the Chief Inspector.
The Factory Inspection Department has to do with the enforcement of the laws governing escapes and other regulations for the protection of patrons in moving-picture theatres and other public places.
Capt. Delaney stated today that, according to the records of his department, the equipment of the Opera House at Canonsburg was in compliance with the requirements of the law in regard to fire escapes, &c.