Thank you for visiting SNEWPapers!
Sign up free
Story
February 23, 1916
New Hampshire Farmer And Weekly Union
Manchester, Hillsborough County, New Hampshire
What is this article about?
In Mexia, Texas, on Feb. 16, an old opera house collapsed during a school art exhibition, killing 10 people including school superintendent Prof. A. B. Weisner and family. A gas explosion and fire followed, threatening the business district but controlled after four hours. Numerous injured.
Clipping
OCR Quality
98%
Excellent
Full Text
OPERA HOUSE
COLLAPSES IN
TEXAS, 10 DEAD
MEXIA, Tex., Feb. 16.—Ten persons were killed here early tonight in the collapse of the opera house building, which was followed by a gas explosion and fire that for a time threatened the business section of the town. Numerous persons were injured.
Search continued late into the night for the bodies which it was feared might be buried in the ruins, although it was believed that all persons in the building had been accounted for. The dead include Prof. A. B. Weisner, superintendent of city schools; Mrs. Weisner and one of their children, and Prof. O. B. Bruton, Winnsboro, Tex.
Only the fact that the accident occurred at an early hour is believed to have prevented a larger loss of life. The opera house, which was old and seldom used, had been opened for an art exhibition of the public schools which gave promise of being largely attended. The spectators had begun to assemble when the structure gave way burying them in debris and heavy timbers.
A gas explosion followed almost immediately. This caused fire in the wreckage. The flames spread to other buildings, including the Farmers' State bank, and so rapid was the progress of the fire that it seemed certain to consume the town. After four hours the fire was put under control.
COLLAPSES IN
TEXAS, 10 DEAD
MEXIA, Tex., Feb. 16.—Ten persons were killed here early tonight in the collapse of the opera house building, which was followed by a gas explosion and fire that for a time threatened the business section of the town. Numerous persons were injured.
Search continued late into the night for the bodies which it was feared might be buried in the ruins, although it was believed that all persons in the building had been accounted for. The dead include Prof. A. B. Weisner, superintendent of city schools; Mrs. Weisner and one of their children, and Prof. O. B. Bruton, Winnsboro, Tex.
Only the fact that the accident occurred at an early hour is believed to have prevented a larger loss of life. The opera house, which was old and seldom used, had been opened for an art exhibition of the public schools which gave promise of being largely attended. The spectators had begun to assemble when the structure gave way burying them in debris and heavy timbers.
A gas explosion followed almost immediately. This caused fire in the wreckage. The flames spread to other buildings, including the Farmers' State bank, and so rapid was the progress of the fire that it seemed certain to consume the town. After four hours the fire was put under control.
What sub-type of article is it?
Disaster
Tragedy
What themes does it cover?
Catastrophe
Misfortune
Tragedy
What keywords are associated?
Opera House Collapse
Texas Disaster
Gas Explosion
Fire Outbreak
School Exhibition
Multiple Deaths
What entities or persons were involved?
Prof. A. B. Weisner
Mrs. Weisner
Prof. O. B. Bruton
Where did it happen?
Mexia, Tex.
Story Details
Key Persons
Prof. A. B. Weisner
Mrs. Weisner
Prof. O. B. Bruton
Location
Mexia, Tex.
Event Date
Feb. 16
Story Details
Opera house collapses during public schools art exhibition, killing ten including Prof. A. B. Weisner, his wife, child, and Prof. O. B. Bruton; followed by gas explosion and fire threatening the town, controlled after four hours.