Democratic Sentinel, Volume 15, Number 34, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 11 September 1891 — Quelled the Panic. [ARTICLE]

Quelled the Panic.

•I was in Rochester Monday evening,” said a traveling man to a Utica Observer reporter, “and attended one of the theaters. Between the acts some fool in the gallery yelled ‘ fight,’ and another fool in the dress-circle at once yelled ‘fire.’ There was an instant panic, and had it not been for a dozen cool-headed men and the fact that the orchestra kept right along playing there would have been a terrible scene. As it was several ladies fainted and men and women rushed over the back of the seats to the door as though they were daft. “But there was one incident that I shall never forget as long as I live. A tall gentleman about 50 years of age stepped upon his seat and drew a revolver from his pocket. In a voice that could be heard for some distance around him he said: “ ‘ There is no fire, and I shall be tempted to shoot the first man that tries to rash out of here and possibly trample upon women and children. I mean just what I say, and when the excitement cools down if anybody will point out the miscreant that raised the cry of fire I will give the gentleman SSO for his trouble, and agree to whip the scoundrel who raised the false alarm within five minutes or forfeit another fifty.’ “Then he stood there as quietlv as if nothing had disturbed him, and the people who heard him knew by his looks that he meant business, and would do just what he said. ‘Good for you!’ called a half-dozen voices, and the people in that section sat very quietly during the several minutes of terrible excitement that prevailed all over the crowded house. When order had been restored the gentleman resumed his seat and enjoyed the play.”