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	---------------------------------------- Boyertown Opera House Fire ---------------------------------------- POTTSVILLE REPUBLICAN TUESDAY EVENING JANUARY 14, 1908 VOL.XLVII NO67 150 KILLED; 100 INJURED IN BOYERTOWN FIRE At one o'clock this afternoon estimates placed the number killed in last night's theatre horror at from 125 to 160 and some who are in position to speak with authority say that even more than 160 lives were lost. At this hour more than 50 remnants of what were once human beings had been recovered. All is naturally confusion and it will be late this afternoon before anything like an ordinary account can be made. Officials and employees of the Reading Rwy. are giving valuable assistance. Two carloads of carpenters and laborers employed by the company are at work. Improvised morgues have been established in three undertaking establishments and the burned and mangled bodies, nearly all unrecognizable, are being taken to them as fast as they are removed from the debris. What may be regarded as a true statement of the cause of the disaster was given by an eye-witness. Toward the end of the performance the man in charge of the moving picture machine was testing his apparatus and it gave forth a hissing sound. This caused a stir in the audience and somebody on the stage lifted the curtain for the evident purpose of seeing what the commotion was about. On the front of the stage was a tin tank about 8 feet long and a few inches high and on this were placed 12 kerosene lamps which served as footlights. The curtain tilted this tank over and this started the fire and the subsequent panic and awful loss of life. On the way to the fire the fire engine struck a tree and a volunteer fireman named GRAVES was thrown from the engine and instantly killed. The unfortunate man's sister was one of the victims of the fire. There were 350 paid admissions to the theatre and it is believed about 425 persons were in the hall including the performers, when the fire started. Most of them were adults as the show was not of a sort to appeal to children and consequently there were comparatively few victims of a tender age. Most of those killed were women. ____ Boyertown, June 14.---A bright sun showing over the stricken borough today for the first time fully revealed the full extent of the horror of last night. It was a holocaust that has paralyzed Boyertown, and with the streams of the Boyertown and Pottstown fire companies still playing on the debris early this morning it is impossible to give an exact number of the dead and injured. A frantic, grief-stricken mob surged before the Opera House, which a few hours before held an audience that awaited the presentation of the drama by home talent under the auspices of St. John's Lutheran Sunday School, awaiting the time when the burning embers in the large building would cool and the work of the rescue of the bodies commence. Many Will Not Be Identified. It is doubtful if many of the bodies within this great charred house will ever be identified. The four gaunt walls stand as a tomb for possible 150 of Boyertown's representative people, and there is hardly a family in this thriving borough of 3,000 souls that has not lost one or more members in their appalling catastrophe. The authorities are now engaged in taking a census and it is said that the list of stricken households extends to within a radius of ten miles of Boyertown. This shows that fully 125 are missing and unaccounted for, while the list of injured numbers fully 75. Coroner STRASSER is now on the ground. He thoroughly investigated the construction of the building and found that the exit was entirely too narrow. Of course, every vestage of the building is wiped out, but this is freely admitted by those who were conversant with its construction. It is not likely that the inquest will be held this week. It is believed that this disaster will lead to a thorough overhauling of halls in small towns. The Iroquois Theatre fire in Chicago did this for the large cities, but the boroughs and villages of the country were apparently neglected. Were Attending Church Benefit. This terrible loss of life occurred in a fire which completely destroyed Rhoad's Opera House. The Opera House was crowded with members of St. John's Lutheran Sunday School, who were attending a benefit by Mrs. H.E. MONROE, given for that church. While the performance which was an illustrated lecture on the "Scottish Reformation," with lantern views and living pictures, upon which a calcium light was thrown, was in progress, a tank of gasoline that supplied the light exploded. The actors endeavored to quiet the audience, but in their anxiety to make themselves heard, and to avoid an awful stampede of women and children, the coal oil lamps, which were used asfootlights, were overturned, setting the place on fire. Flames, fed by the oil, shot almost to the ceiling and there was a wild rush of 700 persons to escape from the burning building. Scores of women and children were trampled upon and several who escaped being burned to death died after being dragged from the Opera House. In many cases, it is said, entire families have been wiped out. Audience in Panic. The scene which followed the explosion is indescribable. Scores of persons who were in the balcony at the time the explosion occurred jumped from windows and sustained fractured limbs and skulls. To add to the terrible disaster the fire apparatus became disabled and the structure was left entirely to the mercy of the seething flames. Bodies Burned to a Crisp. It is almost certain not a vestige of some of the bodies of the unfortunates who were overcome by smoke and perished will ever be found. Assistance was asked from Pottstown, but before the fire apparatus from that place reached Boyertown, the entire centre of the structure was a roaring furnace. Had the women and children heeded the warning of cooler heads in the audience the horrible loss of life might have been avoided, but there was the usual panic and stampede which invariably follows such a catastrophe. Trampled to Death. Flames spread rapidly and communicated to other parts of the theatre. Men, women and children rushed for the exits and the weaker sex and children were trampled and maimed in the mad rush to gain the street. On the third floor of the Opera House building were lodge rooms. In one of these a P.O.S. of A. Camp met last night. There was a large attendance and the last member had not been out of the hall five minutes when the explosion occurred. Had they been in the building at the time, few would have escaped alive. For several months the Sunday School pupils of St. John's Lutheran Church had been rehearsing "The Scottish Reformation," a drama that was being staged by Mrs. H.E. MONROE, the authoress, and when the curtain arose at 8 o'clock the Opera House was thronged with representative citizens of the borough. The drama was well presented, and the piece worked smoothly for an amateur production Picture Machine Started Trouble. The second part of the program, in which the students from Glasgow University and the Puritans marched to Leith to meet Queen Mary, had just been reached. The young people taking part had finished their songs, and, incidenta drama, a number of pictures were shown by a moving picture machine. This was operated by H.W. FISHER, of Carlisle, who used calcium lights. While he was operating the machine there was a flash and a loud report, and the people sitting in the rear of the Opera House near the machine arose in fright and rushed towards the stage. Excited Actor Overturned Lamp. Their action caused a panic in the audience, and many of the people, thinking the building was on fire, rushed towards the stage. The young people who were taking part motioned to them to go back and resume their seats, but the frightened spectators attempted to climb upon the stage to escape the fiery spluttering of the moving picture machine. One of the young people on the stage more excited than the others, made a motion towards repelling the audience, and in his excitement he overturned one of the coal oil lamps used as footlights for the stage. It fell with a crash into the auditorium and exploded. In an instant the stage front was ablaze, and the people, affrighted, surged towards the rear again. The youthful actors fled from the stage and managed to escape, clad in their stage garments, and many of them carrying the spears and axes of the students into the street. Lost Their Heads. The crowd in the front of the Opera House fled toward the rear as the flames from the stage edged towards them, and they were met by a crowd from the rear eager to escape from the peril of the steropticon machine in the rear. The crowd became panic-stricken, and strong men beat down women and children in their efforts to get out of the building. One of the men sitting in the central part of the house, Frank CULLEN, a blacksmith, seized his four year old son, and made his way towards a window. When he attempted to return to get his wife, she was in a struggling mass of humanity, and it was impossible for him to reach her. Burned to Death at Exit. The flames spread quickly and many of the spectators were caught and overcome before they could reach the fire escapes on the sides of the building. The frenzied spectators fought with each other to reach the front entrance, the principal means of exit from the building, and a struggling mass of humanity was quickly piled against the doors that led to the stairs opening on Phila. Ave. Here the flames soon overtook them, and they were burned to death almost in sight of liberty from the seething furnace that surrounded them. A number of people who were attracted by the cries of fire rushed from the street to the entrance to the Opera House and up the stairs to the second floor. They but were forced to abandon the others to their fate, as the quickly advancing flames drove them from the building. Actors Escaped. It was when the play had reached Part Two, and while moving pictures were being shown, that the accident occurred. The story of John Knox and Mary Stuart was being portrayed on the canvass with 28 pictures. The following people were on the stage when the accident happened: Howard WREN, Clarence STAUFFER, Hiram LEIDY, George MOYER, Leon TABOR, Newton LICHTEL, Sheldon FUNK, Richard TURNER, Wayland SCHWENCK, Chas. B. SPATZ, and Wilmer LEIDY. These persons escaped through the rear stage entrance and got to a place of safety. SPATZ escaped, but only to be injured a few minutes later. He was fighting the flames and was standing upon a ladder, when he slipped and fell. Three ribs were broken, and he sustained bruises and cuts about the head. He was removed to his home about 10:30 o'clock. Mr. SPATZ is editor of the Berks County Democrat, and is a member of Stichter Lodge, F. and A.M. Survivor's Graphic Story. Frank CULLEN, a well known blacksmith, who was badly burned about the face and arms, told of his escape in a graphic manner. He was sitting with his wife and son in the seventh row of seats from the stage. He said: "Near the end of the third act pictures were being shown, when suddenly a loud, hissing noise was heard. This caused the people in the rear of the house to surge toward the stage, as if they wanted to find out the cause of the accident. In the rush a number of lamps were upset and they exploded, throwing the blazing oil in every direction and the entire hall was ablaze within a moment. This caused a terrible rush for the doors and during the next few minutes people went crazy, knocking each other down and trampling each other under foot. It was a battle in which the strong only had a chance to escape. I grabbed my small son, George, and struggled to the window intending to throw him out, and I succeeded in doing so. Fortunately he landed on the fire escape and managed to climb down to safety. This I did not know and I imaged that he would be badly hurt in the fall to the street, but I preferred this to having him burned to death. I then tried to find my wife but this was impossible and I searched until the flames grew so hot that I was forced to leave the building, and I know that Esther has been killed, as I hunted all around for her and could not find her." Mr. CULLEN's head was completely enveloped in bandages, his eyes and mouth being the only part of his face exposed and his hands were also covered with bandages. He was almost distracted as he told his story and was compelled to cease at times and give way to outbursts of grief. It was a pitiful sight to witness a strong man as he gave way to outbursts of crying and moaning. He is the father of five children, four of whom were left at home last night, while he and his wife and son attended the production. Dr. BRUMMER Missing. Dr. Frank B. BRUMMER, of Washington Township, came to Boyertown last night in his team which he left at a hotel. He attended the entertainment and has not been seen since. His team is still at the hotel. It is believed that he perished in the fire. Dr. BRUMMER was one of the most prominent men in Berks in this generation. He formerly served in the State Senate, stood high in the medical councils of the State, was a frequent writer for the newspapers, and for 40 years was a power in Democratic politics of the county. ____________________ Relief from Phila. Phila., Jan. 14.---Mayor REYBURN of this city said today that a meeting of the Citizens' Permanent Relief Committee would be held this afternoon for the purpose of discussing what relief could be offered the stricken people of Boyertown. The meeting will be held in the office of the Mayor. Mayor REYBURN later sent the following telegram: "Chief Burgess, Boyertown, Pa. Philadelphia's heartfelt sympathy is extended to the stricken of your town, and we areready to do all in our power toward relieving the distressed." Another Survivor's Description. Ralph HOUCK, son of Harry HOUCK, confectioner, whose place of business is just across the street from the Opera House, in an interview stated that he was in the middle of the house at the time of the accident. It was pretty near the close of the third act, and the moving pictures were being shown. "Suddenly a loud hissing noise was heard, and this startled the people, who all crowded toward the stage. In the rush several of the oil lamps in the footlights were upset and they burst, and a blaze also appeared at the picture machine. This caused a general scramble towards the place of exit, and I rushed to the fire escape at the side of the building, and made my escape, as did a number of others. "From the time of the first excitement, caused by the picture machine, until the entire house was in flames was but a few minutes and the people were literally roasted alive." Doctors and Constabulary. Two special trolley cars were run on the Oley Valley Traction Co. from Reading and they carried seven members of the State Constabulary, twelve surgeons and seven trained nurses from Reading. A large supply of hospital stores and first aid to the injured appliances were also taken along. The State Constabulary immediately took charge of the scene and roped off the scene of horror. The people were driven back and warned to keep away from the standing walls, as it was expected that they would collapse any minute. The fears which were entertained as to the gasoline tanks in the rear of the hardware store of George P. RAHN, were realized about 1:45 o'clock, this morning, when the tanks exploded. The walls were blown down and there were several narrow escapes. Additional adjacent buildings were fired as a result of the explosion. Relief Train From Reading. A relief train, and the first to be sent to the scene of the horror, was made up at Reading under the supervision of Night Yardman SHOEMAKER. It consisted of a gondola car, a passenger coach and an engine. A fire steamer and hose cart with about fifty firemen accompanied the apparatus. The Burned Building. The building which was destroyed was a large brick structure, three stories high and had a frontage of 125 feet on Phila. Ave. The first floor was occupied by the Farmers' National Bank and the hardware store of G.W. RAHN. The second and third floors were occupied by the Opera House and the hall of the P.O.S. of A. The building is also extended on Washington St. for a distance of 250 feet. Directly in the rear of the bank were four large dwelling houses, which were a part of the same building. The dwellings were occupied by the families of G.W. RAHN, Mrs. Maurise LEFEVER, Alfred SEASCHOLTZ, a coal dealer; Alfred PENNYPACKER and Harry MELLINGER. These dwellings were burned.Jumped From Balcony. People threw themselves from the balcony into the body of the theatre, hoping to find some means of escape. Others jumped from the windows of the building and were either maimed or killed. Meanwhile the flames, which had broken out on the stage, were spreading rapidly throughout the building, seemingly eager for their prey. Those who were trying to escape saw the fire eating its way nearer and nearer. It spurred them on to struggle more desperately and fight more fiercely for their lives. Those who had fallen into the wild rush and who were so badly maimed that they were beyond all power to struggle and fight, were wailing in anguish and suffering, their cries adding to the horror of the situation. They could do nothing but wait helplessly for their fate---to be roasted to death in the roaring, raging furnace. Many Heroes, Some Dead. There were many heroes in that awful catastrophe. Some are not alive to tell of their deeds. They gave up their lives for others. Fathers and mothers who might have saved themselves lingered to get their children and perished in the flames. Brothers who might have gotten out in safety hesitated to make sure that their sisters were safe, and they, too, are numbered among the dead. Sweethearts with little thought for themselves, bent all their energy in an effort to rescue their companions just as sweethearts should, and their lives were also added to the great harvest of death. Many Rushed Back to Death. Many that had reached the outside in safety dashed back into the burning building in a mad and fruitless desire to save. They never returned. A general alarm spread through Boyertown. Everybody rushed to the scene of the fire, their hearts filled with horror and misgivings. Many of them had relatives and friends at the entertainment, and to those it was painful speculation as to whether their dear ones were among the victims. Boyertown's fire department, consisting of two companies, was quickly at the scene of the fire. Early reports had it that the fire apparatus became disabled, and the burning building was completely at the mercy of the seething flames. The firemen could do little else than add their efforts to the work of the rescue. With superhuman courage, they joined the citizens who were rushing in and out of the burning building trying to save those who had survived the flames. Many who escaped uninjured joined in this noble work of rescue. As a result quite a number of the injured were dragged or carried out of the building. But some of them had been injured so badly that they died almost as soon as they reached the open. In the meantime assistance had been summoned from Reading and Pottstown. Special cars carrying nurses and doctors were rushed to the scene from both places. One of the rescuing party was O.H. JACOBS, a coal dealer, who forced his way up stairs and endeavored to rescue the struggling people, who were tightly wedged in the landing at the head of the stairs on the second floor. He described the condition of affairs as appalling. A shrieking, struggling mass of humanity surged against their fellow-beings who were lying prostate, and the efforts of the mass to escape were rendered futile by the steady onrush of the flames that crawled from the stage to the rear, sweeping the large building with a relentless sweep that reduced the happy, laughing audience of a few minutes before to blackened, charred trunks Saw Many Neighbors Dying. Mr. JACOBS pulled a few of the people from the mass and hurried them, bruised and bleeding, to the foot of the stairs. His work of rescue was checked by the onrush of the flames, and he was forced to leave the others to their fate. As he ran down the stairway of the doomed building he had to dodge the burning embers that fell all about him. Mr. JACOBS said that the sight of the struggling mass was horrible, and in the people wedged in the landing he recognized the faces of many Boyertown neighbors, twisted in agony. He wept as he related his harrowing experiences in the hall of the doomed Opera House. The danger of falling walls kept many of the rescuers away from the building, and the interior of the Opera House was a seething mass of flames. A few who braved the danger were driven back by burning embers, although they declared they saw great piles of charred bodies at the top of the landing. A huge girder which had fallen from the third floor to the landing was said to rest upon a pile of these charred remains. Tried to Save Family.. J.J. BECKER, the P. & R. Rwy. Co. agent in Pottstown, who was one of the cast and was on the stage at the time of the accident, in an interview said, "I was on the stage when the catrastrophe started, and I made an attempt to get to my wife and two daughters, who were seated in the front row. It was impossible to reach them as they had rushed toward the rear of the house. I then made my escape by way of the stairs leadingfrom the rear of the stage." Compared with Iroquois Fire In comparison to the size of Chicago and Boyertown, this disaster is vastly worse than the holocaust at the Iroquois Theatre, in Chicago, in December, 1903, when over 500 lost their lives. Boyertown has a population of about 2,000, and to have over 100, lost in such a terrible catastrophe is an unusually hard blow. While families were wiped out, and brother and sister, father and mother alike met tragic deaths. Scarcely a family in the town escaped the loss of some member or relative. Grief Caused Insanity The fate that befell his two sisters, who were supposed to be buried in the debris of the Rhoads Opera House caused Warren WEAND to become insane. The young man knew that his two sisters, Carrie and Florence, were in the audience, and he made frantic efforts to climb up the fire escape of the blazing building to get them out. He was pulled down by friends, and, frantic with grief, he tried to butt his brains out against a building on Washington St., across from the Opera House. He repeatedly shrieked: "God help them. God help them." Friends persuaded young WEAND to go to his home, but he was in a highly nervous state. He was given opiates by physicians who were called, but his condition was regarded as being serious. It was afterwards discovered that his mother, Mrs. Henry WEAND, was among the missing. ______ WRENN Family Safe. Word was received from the WRENN family, of Boyertown, this morning stating that they were all safe, but that Edna BOYER and brother, Keeley, were amongst the dead, and that Newton LICHTEL, a salesman who frequently visits Pottsville selling hats, was amongst the missing. Miss BOYER and brother were children of Jas. K. BOYER, a wealthy citizen of that town, all well know here. Edna was a vocalist of note, a pupil of Miss FRAME, who possessed a voice of much purity, and she was ever ready to use it in a good cause. It has not been verified, but some say she participated in the opera house with vocal selections last evening, also taking an active part in the performance. ________ Well Known in Pottsville. Miss Edna BOYER, one of the victims was a visitor at the home of Heber S. ZERBY and wife last September, and during her visit, sang a solo in Trinity Episcopal church, which was highly commented upon. She was a welcome visitor to many homes here and her friends were shocked to hear of her death. Keeley BOYER, her brother,is als on umbered amongst the victims. ___________ TO PRODUCE PLAY HERE. ________ Pottsville Talent Ready for Rehearsal for Y.M.C.A. The play which was being staged at Boyertown last night is the same one which is to be produced in Pottsville in the very near future for the benefit of the Y.M.C.A. Local talent has been secured and most of the principals have already committed their parts and a splendid entertainment is anticipated. It is staged by Mrs. MONROE, who had charge of the Boyertown play. There are a large number of members in the caste. Edna SHOENER Escaped The play was in charge of Miss Edna SHOENER, of Orwigsburg, daughter of John T. SHOENER, former Clerk of the Courts and she is reported dead in the theatre. When word was received at Orwigsburg this morning of the fire, her brother endeavored to get into communication to learn whether or not she had escaped but on account of the great excitement prevailing, it was impossible to get any satisfaction. After he left for Boyertown to investigate, Miss SHOENER called up by telephone and sent word to her mother that she was alive and but slightly injured. The Associated Press dispatches at noon reported her dead, but of course this was not correct. Miss SHOENER is a young woman of many talents, being a fine vocalist, pianist and also an elocutionist. She is one of the instructors in this production. (End of article) ----------------------------------------------- Boyertown Opera House Fire pg 2 ----------------------------------------------- POTTSVILLE REPUBLICAN TUES. EVENING January 14, 1908 VOL.XLVII NO.67 150 KILLED; 100 INJURED IN BOYERTOWN FIRE COAL OIL LAMPS UPSET DURING LOCAL TALENT PLAY 700 IN OPERA HOUSE, MOSTLY SUNDAY SCHOOL PUPILS MANY CRUSHED TO DEATH SOME OF THE DEAD: John GRABER, driver of the Friendship Fire Engine, both legs crushed; died after removed to his home. Lottie GRABER, 24 years old, died about two hours after accident, as a result of burns and other bruises, received in escaping from opera house. Mrs. George W. ROMIG, sister of A.W. WEISER, of Pottstown, dead. Charles MAURER, aged 28 years. Stella KULP, aged 20 years. Carrie WEAND, aged 20. Florence WEAND, aged 18. Edna BOYER. Keeley BOYER. Mrs. John GLASE, of Hereford. Miss Blanche KOCHEL, aged 20. Child of Rev. A.M. WEBER. Lulu, daughter of D.P.G. FEGLEY. Miss Emma ENGLE. Mrs. Ira SHOBER. Mrs. Richard TURNER. Mrs. Daniel KRAUSE. Mr. and Mrs. Herbert GOTTSCHALL. Henry BINDER. Blanche and Mabel KOCHEL. Ellen GOTTSCHALL. Mabel GRAFF. Lottie GRAVER and sister. John GRAVER. Charles MOYER and daughter Daniel KRAUSE. Miss Mabel KOCHEL, aged 13. Mrs. J.J. BECKER and two daughters, Alma, 9 years, and Mary, aged 13. William MOYER and three young children. Miss Anna LEIDY, school teacher. John FRITZ, of Englesville. Cora FRITZ, Englesville, daughter of the above. Mra. Esther CULLEN, aged 35 years. Mrs. Ella E. MAYERS, lecturer at entertainment. Edward EMERICK, who moved to Boyertown recently and conducted upholstery establishment. Deceased was 25 years of age and single. Dr. Charles MAYER and daughter. Robert LA PISH. Morris ANDERSON and family of two children. James ANDERSON and family. Mamie TORS. Mrs. Maggie LE FEVER. Mrs. Mary LEINBACH. Laura GRIM. Mrs. Adam MOYER. David GABLE, Jr., and wife. Franklin LEIDY. Lottie BOWMAN. Ella JOHNSON. Anna ZIEGLER, of Gilbertsville. Mrs. Reuben HOFFMAN and daughter, of Gilbertsville. Mrs. JOHNSON, of New Berlinville. The following dead were added to the list at 3:30 p.m. today. Charles HARTMAN. Miss Edith RHOADS. Mrs. Emma LICHTEL. Mr. and Mrs. SHOLLENBERGER. Frank SHELLENBERGER. Harry SCHAEFFER and wife. Clarence MILLER, Reading. Miss HARTMAN, daughter of Wm. HARTMAN. Miss HARTMAN, daughter of Frank HARTMAN. Miss Leidy LEACH. Daniel KRAUSS. Mr. and Mrs. Charles NUSS and son. Harry FOREMAN and wife and two daughters. Nettie, aed 13 and Irene, aged nine. Miss FOREMAN, sister of Harry FOREMAN. Mr. and Mrs. Daniel GABLE. Mrs. JOHNSON. Mr. and Mrs. Heorge PARSIN. Florence ETTINGER. Mrs. Henry MOYER Mr. and Mrs. Herbert GOTTSCHALL. Wife of Dr. L.K. FRANCIS and Miss FRANCIS. Mrs. Addison SCHWOYER. Amos HARTMAN. Miss GRIMM, daughter of George GRIMM. Ellen GOTTSCHALL, daughter of Henry GOTTSCHALL, aged 17 years. Rose DIAMOND, aged 14. Laura RHOADS. Blanche and Mabel KACHEL. Emma ENGLE. Mrs. TABOR. Edna and Florence MOYER. Nora HERBST. Anna DEEM. Mrs. CLOUSER. Newton LICHTEL. Lillie P. FEGLEY. Stella MOYER. Francis MOYER. Miss WEBER, daughter of Rev. WEBER. Mr. and Mrs. James ANDERSON. Mr. and Mrs. Morris ANDERSON. Mrs. Harvey LEINBACH. Hiram LEIDY. Irvin KLEMMER. Mrs. Henry SHANER and two sons, Paul and Harry. Miss Sallie HARTMAN. Mrs. Lillian ROMIG and son. Miss Alice GABLE. Warren REED. Abraham GABLE. Mr. and Mrs. Henry WEISER. Dr. Frank R. BRUNNER, of Eshbach. Laura CLEAVER. May GEYER. John FRITZ and daughter. Chas. MAURER. Mrs. George MOORE, wife of liquor deal- Wm. RHOADS and daughter. Mrs. John RICKER and two daughters. Robert TAGGERT, wife and daughter. Jeremiah RHOADS, of Swamp. Lottie ROMICK. Amos THOMAS, wife and child. Austin MENSCH. Mrs. Wallace HOFFMAN and daughter. Annie RITTER. Elmer Y. EMRICK. Lottie GRAVER, a music teacher. Mrs. Della MAYER, who had charge of the performance. Three daughters of Dr. KNIPE. Leyman ZIEGLER. The injured. H.W. FISHER, of Carlisle, who was in charge of the moving picture machine. Frank CULLEN. Mrs. Milton KOCHEL. Mrs. DRY. Mrs. BAUSE. Gordon SCHAEFFER, removed to Reading Hospital. End of front page list. From: The Boyertown Opera House Fire Vol. I, 1991 & Vol. II, 1992 by Mary Jane Schneider John S Fritz, 61, was a director of the Boyertown Canning Company. He farmed in Englesville, and was a member of St. John's Lutheran Church. Widower of Sarah who died in May 1905. Father of Ida, Emma, James, Joseph (Philadelphia), Edmund (Pottstown) and Mary . Brother of Mrs. Joel Briner of Robesonia. Ida Cora Fritz, 34, taught Sunday school at St John's, & was secretary there as well as of the Ladies Aid & Berks County Luther League. Both were buried with the unidentified dead at Fairview. __ Olivia (Weiser) Romig was wife of George Romig. Sallie Romig was dtr of Jacob & Mandilla Romig of Gilbertsville. Had 3 brothers Charles, Jacob, Dewey. 2 sisters-Irena & Mandilla. States buried at Fairview, but her stone is in the Union Cem. on Englesville Road in Boyertown with her parents. Wayne Romig was son of William & Amanda Romig of Greshville. He lived in Worman.