New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1851-11-25
WHO IS CORONER 7
The Evidence Proceeds.

xnG 3VIUG0CC AAVS~S
Al IL o'clock yesterday morning, Juoge
B,sskisy, Acting Coroner, and Alderman BAH took
sAsiy sests in Judge Meechs Court ROOM over Inc
ay Police Station, for the purpose OF pro-
..~d,., with the inquiry into the circumstances OF
-. Ia,e fatal accident at the Ninth Ward schooi.
IT.. Juyv Room was crowded with the teachers ana
>ldey children, most OF whom were reques'eo % W
!. attendance as witnesses, and the crowd tnrough
eat the morning was intense. Mr.. H. u beheuo',
Pyesident of the Board of Education, ana mos' Oh
she officers of the school were present. watching the
pseeeedings. ,,;.
The Coroner opened the proceedings by Gaining
over the names of the jury, and then inquired IL any
~ me children OF Miss Harrison's class were pres
eat.
Alderman Bah rose and said that before proceed
hg with the inquiry, he thought would De wen 70
arrange what course they should take. lie would
.u,,sst that they take evidence until two o'clock,
and then adjourn for one hour to cine, ana resume
their duties 81 three ,... :,
Judge Bieakiey-I wish it to be understood tnst
am Coroner of this inquest and the presiding ofcer
a this Court, and will not allow any one 10 inter-
isse in the matter of conducting It's proceedings:
Alderman Bail said he wished 1t to be understood
before proceeding in what position he waspiaceu'-
he was called in there to preside, because Judge
BIeahley did not like to take the responsibility upon
Aimssn. ,,., -
Quest swore in the jury. visited the bodies OF the
eead and / will allow no man to interfere with me
In the discharge OF my duty.
Alderman Ball said the duty belonged to the Alder
man, and he had night TO act
Jsdge Bieakiey--If am interrupted again VIII or
der any who interrupts me into custody for con-
tempt of Court.
Aldermen Beii-Oh, oh call on the jury TO sup
PET me- co,o,s, sa,d tina, interference was cruel
-. e,t TAXI mo N
the cceedngs, but he should not assume the pre-.
sidcncy and direction of that Court He would read
The following section from the act
County New-York or his inability to attend from SICK
other al any time any Ater n Or Spe
inability duty appeanng to the Office OF Coroner
:: The said CITY under this ar!cs and such Aldermen or
The hks obligations and penalties as the said Coroner
He attended there without reward or emolumen',
and he had no particular desire to attend TO the
duties of the Office. lie called In Alderman Ball out
but be- a 20 se s. any s s y a'
Alderman Baii--He called me IN, and said he would
consider me as the presiding magistrate
Judge Bleakley-Lctthe inquest proceed
The first witness sworn was
Augusfa Woodraie--I was In the room where
Miss HARRISON was on the alarm being made the
aifls were much excited, and they all ran out do
net know whether Miss Harrison was left or NOT 1
(eN down the stars the hanisters were broken,
but don't know whether was pushed of the stairs
my next recollection was IN the street was pu-
found the room when the alarm was given we were
paSsing at the time Miss Harrison had charge OF
die parsng class did not see Miss Harrison a, the
moment OF the alarm she was seated at the desk,
and l heard cry for water did not hear any cry
Of kre.
Zssa Quackenboss, sworn, said was present at
che difficulty at the GIsenwichay school, and was
psesent at Miss Van Weeks class Miss Harrison
vas principal Of that department OF the school
was there when the screaming took place m her
Toom and il was the first noise heard Miss llarri-
IN he | Al notS
was affected; was not far from the desk where
she was seated, saw her afterward in the room.
she was very sick did not speak to her, and did
Rot know whether she could speak
Foreman to sViinsss-Will you try and Iecollect
what You saw in the room. and tel us slowly
Wtness--I did not know at the time what was the
matter; 4 saw Miss Van Week Jump up and go TO
the door, and think she said she going TO send
the girs back into the room, followed her out to
help her, and do not remember anything till found
myself in the entry ON the same floor heard
screaming then, and saw great crowd OF girls and
Was carried down with the crowd 10 the bottom of
the frcnt stairs i got fastened IN the crowd
between the Primary and Female Department on
the STAINS, and could not ge, out then the
railing OF the stairs gave way, and the next
saw was the girls falling over. stayed IN the
till the girls made way for me 10 go back lthen
went into section A, and there saw Miss Harrison
she very pale. and reclining on seat do not
recclect anything particular al thai moment; when
the alarm was made the FIST scream came from
scholar, but cannot say for certain who she was
cont remember any expression, II was simply
scream cont remember any expressions py any
other scholars. l was scholar and not moni-
cor on that day ! did not know what was the
matter, nor do l know whether more than
one screamed at first / saw no gentlemen in the
room or on the stairs while was there Miss Har-
Tikon was in Miss Van Week IS room al the time Of
this alarm; dad not hear the alarm OF fire AZ all
was not advised to make my escape from the room,
nor were any OF the others was advised to remain
N the room by Miss Van Week the banistcrs CON-
penced TO give way first at the bottom some of the
Enis had zone our do not know no many IL was az
for her Nnsx Nan NlarE hmm
up the children who FIRST frghted run into the
room filled with children, that gave the first alarm
DO not know whether the front door was open
when the railing gave way Miss Van Weeks class
was under instruction al the time the occurrence
took place all The sirs were standing round the
room when the alarm was siven was fastened in
abe second corner from the Female Department door.
~ came down stairs have not been advised to
give evidence.
On the coroner asking the witness TO sign her ties.
umopy, Mr.. Oakley, one OF the secretaries TO the
HIy, said that he of opinion that il the witnesses
were called upon 10 subscribe % their evidence on
paper, that any paper to which they put their
oeght 70 be read over before beng signed.
Another juryman expressed himseif,o the efec,
mai u was wrong for witness to subscribe 10
any thirg before being read.
The Coroner had no objection to the reading of
the testln cny but 1t wcula take w time.
The Clerk 10 the Coroner then read the evidence
o' the witness, and II was signed, after which the
Soroner sad that the gentlemen would see the use
fcsshess OF reading the testimony as II was only the
MIieh answers OF the witness. He thought II
unnecessary TO read ANYTHING further, although he
would nos OBJECT II the Jury demanded it.
Before the next witness was called. Mr. E C Rem
sdic President OF the Board of Education addressed
ne Coroner and said, that he was anxious 10 ee, al
me ruth OF the question at issue and he wished the
Sotoaer 10 allow him, as matter of courtesy, 10
ask any question he may wish.
ne coroner sand he should be glad 10 meet the
ten.sman ne could but Il be allowed one 10 ask
quesuons. others world. Tie had already refused
one .. 'ns school officers interfering. and he was
seiy 70 ooJeet tothe Interference of the gentleman
MY. hssedes-i AK TO be allowed to take part in
me inquiry as President Of rho Board OF Educa,iop
Inc corsner felt for his position, but could noi
Nr. btssd'es- Would Counsel be heard il present,
He Understood the AlicneyGfnfrsl would ne rrc.
seat ~