DISASTER IN A CHINESE THEATRE.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XI, Issue 268, 9 December 1876, Page 4

DISASTER IN A CHINESE THEATRE.

A frightful accideont occurred at the Royal Chinese Theatre, in San Francisco. Two thousand men were crowded into the place, and quite a number of Chinese females were present. Some ot the matting in the gallery caught fire by sparks from a cigar in the hands of some careless Chinamen. The utmost confusion prevailed, a panic ensued, and a large number of Chinese in the auditorium rushed frantically for the door. Those packed in the gallery did the same. The doors were closed, but the resistless torrent of yellow humanity poured down the stairs. The fcrmost crowd, of 300 in number, were scarcely out before the massive door fell open and crashed them to the floor, while over them crowded a dense mass of human beings. The fire was summarily quenched by the actors, who continued the performance, which had the effect of staying many of the frightened Chinese. The railing of the stairway leading from the gallery to the tower floor had given way. Several frightened men hud fallen crushed under foot by their terror stricken companions. The tide having been checked the officers raised the prostrated door and removed the dead, and several others rapidly dying. The sight of the bodies was horrible beyond description. The Royal Chinese Theatre, or ''Royal Louse Trap," as more generally known, has become accustomed to panics. Impecunious Chinamen, who would stand at the door to solicit checks, were called " check grubbers." These were accustomed to scale the walls of the China shop adjoining the theatre, and reaching the roof, were enabled to look into the theatre through the side windows. A "check grubber " would call through the window a startling cry of " Fire," which would be taken up and repeated at other windows with more terrifying emphasis. The terrorstricken audience, not delaying to look around or to determine the truth or falsity of the cry, would rush for the door over the benches, and in the greatest confusion men who had rushed out at the beginning of the excitement would return, and among them would be the "check grubbers," who bad caused all the excitement to secure free eeats.