Test of Time
Winston Churchill said “History is written by the victors.” However, it is also true that it is written by those who survive. The survivors are the last witness of real event that transpired and they would tell a different history. Yet over time even this would disappear unless told to others, an oral tradition. Such is the case of the Brooklyn Theater fire: however, even with 700 survivors and bystanders the history of the Brooklyn Theater fire has gotten lost in history. Few know of this tragic event, and to this day there is not even a sign at the location. An event that took the lives of 300 in 1876 passes unnoticed today. The Brooklyn Theater Fire is written in various historical archives ranging from the Brooklyn Historical Society to the New York Times interview with Kate Claxton. Kate Claxton is a primary source as her being an eyewitness to within the theater just prior and all the way through the fire. However the interview was conducted 9 years after the incident. On the other hand the historical files found in the Brooklyn Historical Society about the “Guide to The Brooklyn Theater Fire Relief Association Records, 1876-1879” was started following the event. However there is very little detail on the events inside the theater and what is provided is a paragraph on the whole event. This is seen as a secondary source. Therefore is seen as a slightly less reliable but more credible due to the fact that it should have been checked and confirmed by those involved in making it.
The melodrama, “The Two Orphans” was playing on the stage of the Brooklyn theatre on December 5, 1876 with a full house in attendance. Over a thousand people were packed inside with most of them in the upper gallery seats, comprised of families and large groups of people that came to see the show at an affordable price. The show had become quite popular and had been going on for some time, however that night’s performance at the Brooklyn theatre would be different. At 11:15 PM, shortly after the opening of the last act, a fire broke out, apparently caused by scenery touching the gas lights. A common problem with gas lamps inside structures back in the days of wooden frame and floors, especially a stage with props and backdrops. Much like the Titanic after itself the theater staff and performers were slow to respond to and inform the audience of the danger. Then when the fire started raging so did the people started panicking and running for the only two exits. The building had three levels of seats and only one staircase that ran the height of the building. These factors led to people collapsing down the steps and being trampled, adding to the jam that already existed. Many on the upper level died of asphyxiation or when the building finally collapsed on itself in fifteen to twenty minutes. Over 300 died that night, most of them being families and the not so well off. The top tier had no direct way down and a major jam developed on the second tier staircase. This led to trampling and falls, while the upper tier died of asphyxiation and falling debris. This is validated by historical records found at the Brooklyn Historical Society and “This Day in History” on history.com.
Nine years after the fire Kate Claxton recalled and told her story to the Philadelphia Times which later reach the home of the Brooklyn Theater Fire, New York and The Times. She recalled how the stage was set up and her laying down in character on straw for the play. She went on to say that she “was startled by a rumbling noise, which sounded as if the ceiling of the the theatre was falling”. Then the curtain rose and she did not dwell on the noise and remained in character. Then as she said her lines and the play progressed she heard the voice of Lilian Cleaves who said “save yourself for God’s sake: I am running now”. This news made Kate Claxton gaze up and spot the sparks and “little tongues of fire licking the edges of the drops and borders that hung in the flies”. Nevertheless, she played her part and did not show fear, same as Harry Murdoch and Mrs. Farren followed by Mr. J. B. Studley. However, Mrs. Farren whispered to her “the fire is steadily gaining”. At this time the fire could no longer be “concealed from the audience” as the sparks were falling on stage and yet they played on. Panic had taken full swing and only then did “we saw that it was useless to attempt to proceed”. In spite of this Mr. Studley said to the people: “ The play will go on and the fire will be put out. Be quiet Get back to your seats”. Kate Claxton then saw that “it was madness to delay longer as we were now almost surrounded by flames”. She went and took Mr. Murdoch by the arm to run but he pulled away in a daze and went to his dressing room where he and Claude Burroughs parished. At this time all of the exits were engulfed in flames and all seemed lost. However, it was at this time that Kate Claxton remembered of a subterranean passage built by Mrs. Conway to the box office from the star dressing room. This was Kate Claxton’s dressing room and she took her neighbour Maude Harrison with her through the tunnel and to the box office. After breaking through the door in the office they were safely outside.
This two accounts of December 5, 1876 during the Brooklyn Theater fire have the same beginning and end. The fire that would take the lives of 300 began at the start of the last act and yet none of the actors showed any sign of it to the audience. They played their parts as the fire grew and their chance to escape diminished along with that of the audience. Then when the fire was visible all went into panic and many died while attempting to flee. however; the details and view of events vary. First is a very basic overview of the causes and effects of the Brooklyn Theater fire told after it had come to pass by historical archives. Kate Claxton was in the middle of all of these events when they transpired and so it is more personal. There are a great deal of details that give us a clear understanding of her position and feelings at that time, one of them being her guilt over the fact that she went along with what everyone else was doing, covering up the truth from the audience. “The curtain should have been kept down until the flames had been extinguished or if it had been found impossible… the audience should have been calmly informed that… some unfortunate occurrence behind the scenery compiled a suspension of the performance….Raising the curtain created a draft which fanned the flames into fury”. There is no such notion in the historical database, no looking back at the event in another way only what happened in a very neutral tone. All the emotion was taken away along with the exaggeration that showed that this was viewed by people vs a machine. Like a true war story, people need to hear what the person saw or thought that they saw. Such as a man being swallowed whole by sea of panicking patrones as they dashed for their lives down the steps. Man dragging women and child back so they may be saved themselves. A likely compassion would be the events of the Titanic as all hope ran away with grace, and chivalry from the hearts and minds of all.
The Brooklyn Theater Fire is written in various historical archives ranging from the Brooklyn Historical Society to the New York Times. Nevertheless, what is written in one may be found wanting in the other. Kate Claxton first hand account has detail that is not available in the historical documents and yet it told much later, giving time a chance to warp memories. Yet it is still a primary source from which other sources could be built on. In the end both tell a woeful tale of a great loss of life, yet one is filled with life and emotion. Those who live are the real winners and history is theirs. “the pen is mightier than the sword”.
Robert, S. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://brooklynhistory.org/library/wp/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/arms_1977_049_theatre.pdf
(n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/hundreds-die-in-brooklyn-theater-fire
Montrose, M. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.brownstoner.com/blog/2010/06/walkabout-the-b-2/
The brooklyn theater fire . (1885, November 30). The New York Times . Retrieved from http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive-free/pdf?res=F50D11FD355A1A738DDDA90B94D9415B8
Richman, R. (2011, June 17th). “the two orphans,” with a new home. Retrieved from http://www.green-wood.com/2011/the-two-orphans-with-a-new-home/
