Victor Bozardt became vaudeville actor after surviving Iroquois Theater fire

Website with 682+ pages devoted to 1903 Iroquois Theater fire in Chicago

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Victor Bozardt survived Iroquois Theater became vaudeville actor

America's worst theater diaster began during a lighthearted musical performance in Act II. Eight gaily dressed couples called the Moonlight octet sang a tune about romantic flirtation as they danced on a dim blue stage at the Iroquois Theater in Chicago. About twelve feet off the floor, at stage right, the frayed edge of a proscenium curtain came too close to the carbon spark of an arc lamp and instantly caught fire. In seconds flames raced up into the loft where hung dozens of fabric scenery backdrops.

While stage workers struggled to put out the flame, the dancing couples continued their performance until pieces of burning fabric started wafting down from the loft. When one of the performers fainted, they gave it up and fled from the stage. One of those was Victor Hugo Bozardt (1885–1965)

A New Jersey native, Victor was one of several members of the octet who testified before the coroner's jury in a manner newspaper reporters described as rehearsed.

"Q. Did you see any curtain lowered?
A. No sir.
Q. Somebody carried you out?
A. I couldn't say that; some say I was blown out. "

After the Iroquois Theater fire Victor worked his way out of the chorus and into small vaudeville parts in road company productions of A Little of Everything (described as a "merry musical skit"), The Passing Show, Hanky Panky, Hurdy-Gurdy Girl, Pleasure Seekers, Happiest Night of His Life, The Tyrant, The Nightingale and Mary's Lamb.

He was the son of Richard Arthur and Ida Bozardt of South Carolina and Connecticut. He lived most of his life in the Hudson, New Jersey area.

His best years professionally were in the 1920s. By 1940 he was collecting tickets. He lived for twenty years or more with a fellow theater person, Eva Welch.

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A note about sourcing. When this project began, I failed to anticipate the day might come when a more scholarly approach would be called for. When my mistake was recognized I faced a decision: go back and spend years creating source lists for every page, or go forward and try to cover more of the people and circumstances involved in the disaster. Were I twenty years younger, I'd have gone back, but in recognition that this project will end when I do, I chose to go forward. These pages will provide enough information, it is hoped, to provide subsequent researchers with additional information.

I would like to hear from you if you have additional info about an Iroquois victim, or find an error, and you're invited to visit the comments page to share stories and observations about the Iroquois Theater fire.

Judy Cooke 2024 All rights reserved ©