Los Angeles herald., 1892-10-25
AFTERNOON SESSION.

Pyrotechnist Wilson Gives Hts Evi-
dence- Other Witnesses.
At l sop. m. the inquest was resumed.
All of the members OF the coroner's jury
were promptly on hand.
The first witness was Charles Wonder
kuhlen. spectator. His testimony
was practically the same az that Of the
other eye witnesses OF the catastrophe.
CAMMERr's TESTIMONY.
The testimony of Herman Cammert
was then read, he being unable to be
present owing to his injuries. Cam.
inert, who was the assistant to Wilson,
swore that he and the fire works man
did all in their power to keep the crowd
back on Friday night, II discharged the
mortar that burst know that more
than one was exploded the fuse is four
or FIVE feet long; it was the
usual length; the fuse fits
tightly; powder must have been put in
the mortar; we were away about five
minutes from the mortar, and do not
know what happened while we were
away; after l touched it off l ran, and
the fret knew was hit in the leg; q
person cannot get more than four or five
yards away before it explodes after
lighting the fuse; it was about go feet
from the set piece, where we were, to
the place where the crowd were firing of
our skyrockets; the bombs are loaded in
the factory; have no idea how they are
made; do not know how much powder
is used; the powder is fastened on the
outside of the bomb at the bottom to
which the fuse is attached, and when
the fuse is set on fire it communicates
with the powder and sends the bomb up
ward.
II was not working for Wilson when
the accident occurred at San Juan, last
July; loose powder placed on top Of the
bomb may have settled down between
the sides of the bomb and the mortar
When the bomb was about to be fred, 1
told the boys to get away; they cursed
Mr.. Wilson, and laughed at us; do not
think that Wilson uses nytro-glycerine !;
do not think the bomb would have ex-
ploded if the crowd had stayed beyond
the ropes; somebody put in loose
powder.
HERBERT BARNES.
Herbert Barnes, OF $40 Nickel avenue,
testified: I have worked for Mr.. Wilson
off and on, but was not working for him
at the time of the accident; if loose pow
der was poured in the mortar on top the
shell it might cause it to explode in the
bomb are steel and iron filings, which
make the sparks when it ia in the air,
and there is also sulphur in the bomb.
WILSON'S STORY.
William Henry Wilson, the man who
had charge OF the fireworks on the night
of the explosion, and who is held at the
central police station pending the coro-
ner's Investigation, was brought into the
court room by Detective Borqui.
Wilson looked more composed than
usual, yet in giving his testimony there
was tremor in his voice, and at times
he was considerably agitated. He ex-
planned, in matter OF fact way, the
manufacture Of the bombs, the material
used, the manner of loading the NOR
tars and the precaution taken in firing
them, His testimony showed that he
was familiar with his duties, also knew
Of the possible danger, but yet had never
had an accident happen to him in his 20
years experience.
He somewhat startled the jury and
spectators when he indifferently said !:
when let a bomb down into the
mortar, l just step back one or two steps