A new article has been added at Newspaper Abstracts > United States > Kentucky > Jefferson http://www.newspaperabstracts.com/index.php?action=displaycat&catid=2681 Direct link to article: http://www.newspaperabstracts.com/link.php?id=35397 Submitted by: Gigimo Article Title: St. Louis Globe-Democrat Article Date: September 2 1884 Article Description: Panic in a Crowded Theater Article Text: Louisville, Ky., September 1.--A packed house attended the opening of Whallen's new Grand Theater to-night. During the inaugural ceremonies, which were being conducted by Senator Jo C. S. BLACKBURN, the lower floor gave way near the main entrance on the Green street side, and sunk about eighteen inches. A column which supported a wing of the balcony went down with the floor. Intense excitement prevailed in every part of the house. Somebody started a cry of fire, and men and women instantly left their seats and made a stampede for the places of egress. Several men jumped out of the rear window. In the rush several ladies were knocked down, but none seriously injured. Manager WHALLEN was on the scene, and in a commanding voice asked the people to be seated. Twenty minutes later the excitement was over and every seat in the house was occupied. In the hurry to complete the new building a series of unsubstantial plates, upon which heavy pieces of scantling were nailed, h! ad been fastened to the joists near the Green street entrance. The pressure was too heavy, and hence the accident. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ KY-Old-News ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ NewspaperAbstracts.com - Finding our ancestors in the news! TM http://www.NewspaperAbstracts.com