Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-06-20
THREE GIVE BAIL.
Those Held by the Coroner's Jury in
Its Verdict.
CONTRACTOR DhNq WAS NOT PRESENT.
Col. Ainsworth, Supt. Covert and
Engineer Sasse in Court.
THEIR SURETIES ACCEPTED.

This morning three Of the four men whom
the coroner's jury found responsible for the
death of Frederick B. Lotus and others in the
Ford's Theater calamity appeared in the Crimi-
nal Court and gave bail in the sum Of
$4,000 each to answer the charge of
manslaughter. They were Col. Ainsworth,
Engineer Sasse and supt. W. E. Covert The
fourth man, Contractor George W. Dant, is
still confined to his house as result of nervous
prostration growing out of the disaster and the
part that he took in it. He was unable to ap-
pear and his attorney was not present either
The three men named surrendered volun-
tarily before the papers in the case could
be served upon them. Last evening, soon
after the coroner's jury had rendered its
verdict, Col. Ainsworth appeared at the
court with his attorney, Mr.. r. Ross Perry,
prepared TO give bail. The court had already
adjourned, but Col. Ainsworth urged that son,e-
thing be done in the matter. After a consulta-
ton between Mr.. Perry and District Attorney
Birney it was decided to accept his bail to the
amount of $1,000. as this sum was satisfactory
to Mr.. Birney uRder the circumstances.
This action in the matter hardly regular,
and this morning Clerk Williams Of tho Grim
inal Court stated that ne had no record of the
bond regularly before him, SO it was decided to
give new bail IN the case.
wHEN THE COURT OPENED.
When the Criminal Court, Judge McComas
on the bench, opened this morning at 10
o'clock Col. Ainsworth and Messrs. Covert and
Sasse were already in the court room ready to
go ahead with the case As soon the court
had been formally opened Mr.. Perry rose and
addressing the bench said:
"May it please your honor I am here rea DIV
to give bail in the matter Of the Ford's Theater
disaster. The coroner's inquest has inculpated
four men. OF these Col. Ainsworth ap-
adjournment OF the court and gave bail
for his appearance whenever wanted His sure
ties Messrs Peter +. Bacon and Henry c. Nc
Cauley, qualified in the sum Of $4,000. 1 am
now ready to give bail in the cases Of Messrs.
Covert and Sasse. would suggest that the
sum of IS, 900 is sufficient in all the cases."
District Attorney Birnev said that his honor
probably understood the nature Of the charges.
In view Of their serious character, therefore. ne
would respectfully submit tha. double the
amount suggested would be a more suitable
bail
THE AMOUNT OF BAIL.
Judge McComas spent q few moments in
looking over a copy Of the findings Of the
coroner's jury and then announced that he
thought that $4,000 would not be excessive
1T would not be the case Of Col. Aims
worth, said Mr.. Perry. ''He sta nds ready 70
give bail to the amount Of 9l00, 900 if necessary
In view OF the remarks your honor has made it
would hardly be proper for me to suggest any
amount, bat may be allowed to say that it
might be rather difficult for Mr.. Covert and
MIR. Sasse to secure such large ball.
Judge McComas said that he must insist on
that figure, but that he would give the men all
reasonable time to secure bail. In view Of the
fact that Col. Ainsworths suretes were not
present. he thought it would be better il a new
bond were given.
Mr.. r. j. Wynne, a well-known newspaper
man and formerly private secretary to Secre-
tary Chas. Foster. was then summoned to go
bail tor Col Answorth. He had been sitting
with Col. Ainsworth in the rear Of the court
room during these preliminaries. and at
once stepped up 10 the clerks desk. He was
sworn and stated that he was the owner Of
$4,000 worth Of unncumbered real estate.
This was satisfactory to the judge and the dis
trict attorney, and he was bound over to see
that Col. Ainsworth should appear whenever he
was wanted.
sURETIEs FOR COVERT AND sAssE.
As bondsmen for Mr.. Covert, Mr.. Perry pre-
sented two clerks from the record and pension
bureau of the surgeon generals Office, Mr..
Jeremiah Imbre, 925 I street. who was chief Of
the second floor in the old Ford's Theater
building. and Mr.. Ernest Schmid. 1886
nesses in the inquest and WAS the man
who testified that the rules Of the Office
were not unduly oppressive, and that the rela-
tions between the clerks and Col. Ainsworth
were of pleasanter character than any other
witness had admitted them to be. The real
estate holdings of these two men aggregated
more than ESQ, 600. and they were accepted as
satisfactory sureties.
Meyer Loeb, who testified that he owned
100000 worth of real estate with incum-
brances which amounted to not one-half of that
sum. was accepted as surety for Mr.. Francis
Sasse.
THE PROCEEDINGS BRIEF.
The proceedings in court this morning were
quite brief, and as soon as Mr.. Sasse's surety
had qualified all the principals in this impor-
tant case left the court room. There not
an unusual crowd present and there were
no scenes Of any moment The grand jury. to
whose attention the will next be brought |
is in continuous session now, and it
rests with the district attorney us
to when they will take it up. OF the three men |
present this morning Mr.. Covert seemed to
show the most signs of feeling and worry at his
position. He looked rather worn and tired aa |
compared with his appearance when he was be-
fore the coroner's jury last week. The men
and their attorneys have refused to discuss the |
matter ut all, on the ground that there was |
nothing to saw abOut il