The weekly tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1891-1894, 1893-06-16
INVESTIGATION
Bitter Feeling Engendered BY the
Recent Tragedy Of FOrd's
Old Theatre.
Clerks Afraid to Testify for Fear of
Losing Their Places
LamOnt'S Letter.

vestigation today of the old Ford thea
tire calamity a letter was received from
Attorney General Olney rendering the
services of an assistant in conducting
the inquiry. 1t was declined. Another
letter from Secretary of Waw Lamont
created a sensation. This letter was to
the effect that the war department was
informed an apprehension existed
among department employees that they
might ieopardize their positions by testi-
flying before the jury. Col. Lamont
wrote: ut seems unnecessary for me to
say such apprehension is entirelyground-
less, but to allay any such fears as may
exist, / beg to inform you that no en-
ploye of this department will endanger
his position in any way oil account of
any such testimony"
J. w. Carter, a clerk in the wrecked
building, testified that there had been
a common rumor among the clerks that
the building was unsafe.
The first witness of the afternoon SEES
sion was David Brown, a clerk, VINO said
he had been instructed to go carefully
up and down the stairway in the build
ing. Brown was asked if there was any
fear on the part of the clerks that they
would be discharged if they protested
against remaining in the. building.
Yes, sir" he answered, and her de-
INJURED, but finally said, IL do not fear
Col. Ainsworth, for he has done me two
~favors, but do fear Freech." Brown
cold fnrthar chat fhora ur,e ,,,,,l fnol,a-
about the insecurity of the building, and
them, would have protested if they had
had the courage to do SO.
What had the clerks to apprehend?"
was asked. Discharge said Brown.
j. S. Smith, clerk, testified that the
feeling was not directed to Col. Aims
worth, but to other officials, particularly
Jacob Freech. The talk against Col.
Ainsworth was confined to a few old
soreheads. James A. Long, clerk, said
he felt insecure during the work of ex-
cavation and secured leave of absence
and applied for life insurance.
While Albert y. Crosby was being eX-
amined a man walked slowly to the place
behind Col. Ainsworth's chair and said
something in such a low voice it brought
a warning ''sh! sh!' But the man was
not to be hushed. He stepped forward
and standing directly over Col. Aims
worth cried in a voice trembling with
passion:
you murdered my brother and |
would like to know what right you have
to sit here and intimidate Witnesses
Lieut.. Smiss pushed the intruder toward
the doorway. His name is Chas. q.
Banes whose brother was killed.
Before the witnesses were allowed to
proceed, b. ii. Warner, one of the jurors.
suggested to the coroner that the episodd
showed the existence of a feeling that
would best be siIenced by the with
drawal of the party against whom it is
directed. Loud applause followed War
ner S remarks, and DIR. Chaetfer whisper
ed a request to Col. Aimsworth to with
draw. He refused to do so, however,
and the coroner said he had no right to
exclude him.
Juror Hanvery said he had been told
by a dozen clerks that they were afraid
to testify and would have refused to do
so but for the letter Of the secretary of
war.
Ross Perry, a representative Of Col.
Ainsworth, arose and the first word was
the signal for the most exciting incident
Of the day. Butler Fitch, an old white
haired clerk, started the trouble, "sit
down" he shouted. "yOu are an out
slider and have no right here. | protest
against an outsider speaking
here" sit down, sit down. echoed
his fellow-clerks. Fitch cried out some
thing about murder and the words
were echoed from every part of the hall.
Clerks were on their feet trying to make
speeches as though a public meeting was
being held. Morgan Spencer of Bridge
port, Ala, a clerk, called out to Col.
A%insworth: You should be arrested for
murder and not released on bail"
Hang him. was shouted from a dozen
Threats. Every man in the spectators
seats rose at the cry Of Hang him.
and the turmoil grew louder.
Col. Ainsworth sat cool and collected.
Somebody saw after the uproar was over
that his hand moved to an inside coat
pocket and remained there. Perry Re-
NAMED standing but made no attempt
to quell the mob. Lieut.. Smiss was ut
terly powerless to still the tumult. A
mad rush was made in the direction OF
Col. Ainsworth, when Warner rose and
begged for order. The sight OF him
standing stopped the rush.
Col. Ainsworth sat in his chair for a
minute and then walked out of the
building, entered a carriage and was
quickly driven away amid angry ex-
pressions from the crowd.
When the hall was emptied the excited
language OF the clerks continued, and
finally old Butler Fitch mounted the
entrance steps and proposed an indigna-
nation meeting Immediately. Smith
Thompson was elected chairman Of the
meeting and denunciations of Col. Aims
worth and those who justified his course
we're INDUCED in. A committee was ap-
pointed to wait upon the pesident and
protest against the proposed secret SEES
sion at the police station, and to urge
the suspension of Col. Ainsworth pend
ing the investigation. Subsequently it
was said the inquest would be resumed
tomorrow, but under better police ar
rangements. Judge Wilson volunteered
his services to represent the clerks at the
inquest tomorrow.
Exports Fallen OF.