The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1876-12-09

number OF boxes That were taken from the
ruins, supposing that each one contained
only one body, whereas he believed that In
some cases two bodies were placed in the
same box. The correct number In many
cases could be ascertained only after medi-
cal examination. The bodies OF the two
and Murdoch-were
viewed in the First Precinct station,
and presented a terrible sight. After this
the jury went to the theatre and made an ex-
animation of the ruins, and then adjourned
to meet next Saturday at 1870 p. III. It is
the intention of the Jury to do their utmost
to ascertain the cause Of the disaster. Every
| witness that can be found whose testimony
may be of value will be examined. Samuel
Mclean, another member of the Jury,
stated that he knew nothing whatsoever
about the number OF bodies viewed by the
Jury except what he had learned from the
statement OF Coroner Simms..
N0THINa BIZ WHICH TO IDENTIFY.
People came to the coroner to ask for a
sight OF the articles, found upon the differ
ent bodies that they might facilitate identi-
fication. This, it seems, had at first been
forbidden. Whatever iewelry or valuables
were taken from the dead bodies were shut
up In envelopes and numbered. The appli-
can't had first to discover some mark upon
the corpse or some piece OF apparel which
was recognized before being shown the
envelope which held the articles numbered
as the body was. OF course this system de-
prived some people OF any chance what
ever Of Identifying their friends, and one
old man who had sought vainly for his boy
presented himself before the coroner yes
terday and with tears in hts eyes asked to
be shown the articles found upon the dead.
81 would willingly oblige you, sir, said
Coroner Simms. "What set OF articles do
you want to see? How are they number
ed?" AS this seemed to puzzle the aged
applicant the coroner asked, "What is the
number of the body you believe to be your
son? Tell me that and you shall sec at
once the articles corresponding to it."
| "What is the number Of the body?" the
old man repeated; how can tell? My
God, sir, do you think that can trace the
features of my boy in the black cinders that
lie upon the dead house-foor have look
ed at them all, but what is there left in
them to let me know which is he ?''
This rather staggered the coroner, and
he turned to explain to the bereaved father,
whom he treated with kindness, what had
necessitated this system. ,....
"You may deem it strange" said he
"indeed, it seems too horrible to believe,
but it is true all the samethat il valuable
trinket were exposed to the public sight as
belonging to some dead body, in an hour
that CHASTITY corpse would have dozen
claimants. Some OF the incidents of yes
terday have led us to be as stringent as pos
sible in our rules and to believe human
abasement deeper than it ever seemed be-
| fore" ...ss-..H ...-
! CORoNER's REPORT OF DEATHS.
BROOKLYN, December 8.-The coroners
report shows that two hundred and ninety
two persons were killed in the theatre by
the disastrous confagration on Tuesday
night.
RELIEF FOR THE OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES SER
g.. VICES.
! Measures have been instituted on the part
of the theatres and the public generally for
the relief OF the sufferers by the dreadful
visitation. A fund has been started and va
rious subscriptions are already made. Me-
mortal services will be held on Sunday.
When it was first decided to hold memo
rial services it was hoped that the Rink in
Clermont avenue could be obtain led for that
purpose-that being the largest public
building in the city. 1t was found, how
ever, that it was undergoing repairs and
could not be procured. The Academy of
Music was therefore selected, and the Board
of Directors has generously protfered its
use TO the city gratuitously, and the services
will be held there on next Sunday afternoon
at o'clock. -
Colonel William E. Sim and Mr.. r. M.
Hooley have also offered their houses-the
Park Theatre and Hooley's Opera-House-
for overflow meetings on that day. mvi-
tations have been issued to number OF
prominent clergymen to be present. among
them Bishops Littlejohn and Loughlin,. OF
the Diocese of Brooklyn; Rev. DR.. Cuyler,
Rev. DR.. Scudder, Rev. DR.. A. P. Putnam,
Rev. A. S. Walsh, Rev. DR.. Steimle, Rabbi
Brandestein, Rev. Ii. K. Nye, and many
others.
The Councils of Brooklyn and New York
| have taken suitable action in regard to the
disaster.
The Board Of Aldermen Thursday adopted
the recommendation of committees that the
bodies of the unrecognized dead, and OF
those identified whenever the families of the
deceased so request, be buried in one plot
at the expense Of the city; that the arrange
ments be referred to the special committee,
with full power that the Mayor be
requested to act as custodian OF all
voluntary contributions for the relief OF
the destitute. and for the erection OF q
monument and enclosure at the burial
place; that the special committee take such
steps as may result in the enforcement OF
the laws and ordinances concerning public
buildings, and to cause proper exits to be
provided at all places Of public assemblage
within the city. AS a mark Of respect and
sympathy the City Hall will be draped in
mourning for thirty days. .-.".....
Lots have been offered free OF charge by
the trustees OF Greenwood and Cypress Hills
cemeteries. s.:ar.E..Y