The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1893-06-13
FORD'S THEATRE CATASTROPHE
Inquest On the Victims Begun Yester
day in Washington.
COLONEL AlNswoRTH DENOUNCED
Witnesses and Clerks Much Excited, and
Indulge in Threatening Language Sem
tlonal Evidence Promised.
COLONEL AlNswoRTH DENOUNCED
Associated Press.

Associated Press.
Washington, June 1.-THE inquest
over the bodies of the victims of the
Ford's theatre accident began here to-
day. Colonel Ainsworth, chief Of the
record and pension division, was pres
ent. The first witness was Benjamin
Reiss, who testified that he had not
seen the area roped off as dangerous
inside the building. For several years
he had heard rumors that the old
building, particularly the rear part,
Troutman, a clerk, testified that he
had been warned by j. W. Webb, in
charge of the first floor, not to approach
the area Of the floor roped off while
the excavation was going on. No other
warning of insecurity of the building
was given. Smith Thompson, a clerk,
testified that the messengers of Colonel
Ainsworth, stationed on the stairway1
had frequently notified the clerks with
bated breath, that 1t was the colonel's
orders that employees should walk on
their tip-toes up and down the stair
way. The witness was an engineer
and examined the building. There
were no props where the excavation
was going on. He declared the feel
ing of the clerks toward Colonel Aims
worth one of abject fear.
This afternoon there was an ex-
citing scene. Charles Barnes. a
brother of one of the men killed, walk
ed forward, shook his fist in Colonel
Ainsworth's face, shouting, "You MUIR
dered my brother and you shan't sit
here intimidating these witnesses"
Colonel Ainsworth started to speak,
when the excited clerks began shout
ing for him to "sit down." ''shut UP"
and the like, followed by cries Of
Hang himg' "Hang himv and the
men sprang forward as If to execute
the mandate. They were finally quiet
ed, however, and the inquest was ad-
journed.
A letter from Secretary Lamont was
read at the inquest giving the assur
ance that no clerk need fear dismissal
on account of his testimony.
A number Of the clerks testified that
they felt the building insecure, but
they We're afraid to protest againstI
working in it for fear Of losing their
positions. Before witness was al
lowed to proceed, B. H. Warner one
of the jurors, suggested to the coroner
that the episode showed the existence
of feeling that would best be 81
fenced by the withdrawal OF the party
against whom it was directed. Loud
applause followed Warmers remarks,
and DR.. Shaffer whispered a request to
Colonel Ainsworth tow ithdraw. He
refused to do so. however, and the cor
oner said he had no right to exclude
him. Juror Hanvey said he had been
told by dozen clerks that they were
afraid to testify, and would have re-
fused to do so but for the letter of
the secretary of war, stating that no
clerk need fear dismissal for his tes-
timony. Ross Perry, the representa-
tive of Colonel Ainsworth. arose and
his first word was the signal for the
most exciting incident of the day. But
Ter Fitch, an old, white haired clerk,
started the trouble "sit down." he
shouted, ''you are an outsider and have
no right here. protest against out
siders speaking here"
''Sit down, sit down." echoed his fell
low clerks.
Fitch cried out something about
murder" and the words were ech-
oed from every part of the hail. The
clerks were on their feet trying to
make speeches, as though public
meeting was being held.
Morgan Spencer Of Bridgeport. Ala,
and government clerk, called out to
Colonel Ainsworth: "You should be
arrested for murder and not released |
on bail" Here the tempest broke in
full furry.
Hang him." was shouted from al
dozen throats. Every man in the spec
tator's seats arose at the cry Of "hang |
him. hang him. and the turmoil grew
louder.
Colonel Ainsworth sat cool and col
Iected. Somebody said after the up
roar was over, that his hand moved
to his inside coat pocket and remained |
there. His features seemed absolutely
immovable. Perry remained standing,
but made no attempt to quell the mob
Lieutenant smiss was utterly power
less to still the tumult. A mad rush |
had just begun in the direction Of Col
onel Ainsworth. when Warner rose and
begged for order. The sight Of him
standing stopped the rush.
This outbreak Of feeling must be
suppressed" he said. mot By the
strong hand Of the law. but by the