The evening call., 1893-06-14
A Sensational Coroner's Inquest.

| INQUEST
WASHINGTON, d. c., June 14.-At the in
quest over the bodies of the victims of Ford
theater disaster Colonel Ainsworth, the chic
OF the record and pensions divisions, who ha
been placed on the defensive by implied accu
salons, was present with his attorney. TIL,
inquest was public. Charles Troutman. /
clerk, described the fall of the building anc
his escape.
he had been warned by J. w. Webb. in
charge of the first floor. not to approach n
| certain spot on the floor, which had been
| roped off while the excavation was being done.
Weob had gwen him warning ten days be-
| fore the accident.
so far as he knew no order had been issued
about the insecurity of the building, except
oInclal warning not to walk over the roped
Oft space, and he thought the general went
down stairs TO see the excavation. The old
employees told him ii was death trap. Smith
thompson, who made q bitter speech de-
nouncing Colonel Ainsworth at the relief
meeting, said the messengers and servants
OF Colonel Ainsworth were stationed on the
stairway to notify employees to 90 easily
up ana down the stalrson tiptoe. The
building was generally known among
employees as a death-trap. The witness
said he had been a civil engineer.
saw no props or pillars used in holding up
the wall where the excavation was Goingon,
Mr.. warner, one of the jurors asked the
witness what was the feeling of the clerks in
the building towards Colonel Ainsworth their
superior officer.
That of abJect fear" answered the wit
ness. lhls answer was followed by an ex
cited buzz among the spectators and a slight
clapplng OF hands. The lieutenant of police
attempted to suppress the applause. but il
continued and grew in volume. lasting q
quarter of minute.
The applause came from the portion Of the
room where the clerks were sitting Colonel
AInsworth grew red. DIR. Schaeffer looked
astonlshed, and admonished the people that
there must be no applause.
The sensation of the afternoon. however. |
occurred when well dressed man walked |
forward and In a voice trembling with pas |
SION, shaking his fist in Colonel Ainsworth's |
face, shouted:
You murdered my brother. and you shall |
not sit there intimidating these witnesses"
he man was Charles Barnes, whose
brother was victim of the disaster After
ne uproar thus occasioned had quieted. Mr..
Davis. representing Colonel Ainsworth,
started TO speak, when dozen excited de-
Dartinent clerks rose 20 their feet and shouted
or him to sit down
Inc lieutenant of police present endeav-
'red to quiet the outbreak. but his voice was
Is Intellectual AZ it would have been in d cy-
lone. The excitement grew in intensity
Nearly every clerk present who was en-
.loyed in the old building was on his feet
houtlng. At first they only called "Sit |
own, shut your mouth - but suddenly
ONE frenzied individual cried out, Hang
i'm, hang him."
They were springing forward. and il looked
$ II harm would come to Colonel Ainsworth. |
or the CLERKS were shaking their fists over
Is head, and others were rushing forward as
!. they wished TO tear him to pieces. Mr..
'arner. one Of the jurors. finally managed
D quiet the mob and Schaeffer adjourned
ne inquest.
Before the adjournment letter was read
,om SECRETARY Lamont, stating that no etn-
loye need fear dismissal an account Of the
ature of his testimony.