The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1893-06-11

removed, and one could better tell the
nature of the accident. The ceilings and
floors looked 10 the ordinary eye to have
been altogether too thin TO support such
weights as those which they were CON-
PEELED TO bear. The construction is of the
old style. known as cast-iron construction,
with the cast-iron pillars placed one above
the other, III direct line.
All day long there were large and Curious
crowds gathered about the ruins In the
crowd were many men whose escape from
the falling floors and rafters yesterday
was marvellous They were busy pointing
out TO their friends and the members OF
their families who were with them just
whore they were W hen the crash came and
how il was that they managed TO make
their way out Of the mass of falling debris.
There Is much comment over the fact that
not liag on any public building was halt
masted to-day.
Talks with a number of the survivors
show that the wonder is that even more OF
the persons within the building were not
injured, for many OF the escapes were
marvellous All the survivors unite In this:
That the crash came with hardly an in
stants warning. and that there was not
time enough for them TO comprehend what
had happened and TO take more than the
slightest steps toward self-preservation;
that following the crash the interior
of the building became so thick and
dense with dust that not q thing
could be seen for any distance; that come
persons must have been sutfocated in this
dust-clouded atmosphere. and that their
escapes were due To their fortunate posi-
ton III the building, or to some cause for
which they are thankful. bnt cannot ac-
count.
This morning Colonel Ainsworth asked
for court of inquiry to determine the
cause of the calamity, and. If possible. fix
the responsibility where 1t properly be-
longs. The request will undoubtedly be
granted. in making it. Colonel Ainsworth
has greatly simplIiied matters for the War
Department. tor q military court has
powers recognized by Law. and
inas. while board of officials
could only make recommendations
that would have no force of law. The
board TO he appointed. at the request of
Colonel Ainsworth. will be given power to
make full and tree inquiry into all mat.
ters relating to- the accident, and 1t will
not DO restricted IN making It's findings to
the responsibility of Colonel Alnsworth.
lt will have power TO call for all persons
and papers. and To determine whether
court martial of any officer of the army Is
necessary. Colonel Ainsworth was very
busy behind closed doors this morn
ing. All business relating to the
record and pension division W as transact
ed through Mir. John &. Hesse. the chief
clerk, Secretary Lamont arrived here this
afternoon. Soon after he reached the oity
he expressed desire to see acting Score
tary Grant and Colonel Ainswortb, and
the afternoon and had q conference in re-
gard TO the future action of the depart
ment concerning the calamity.
In q report made to Congress about the
condition of Ford's Theater building. as
long ago as 1888 this passage occurs: lit
Is at present In very shaky condition.
The back wall is far out of plumb. and
probably, if it had not been relieved by
iron columns. the whole building would
have fallen. The north wall is also in
bad condition" The records of the War
Department show that the collapsed
theater building was for years known Of
hcially to be unit for human occupancy by
reason not only of structural weakness.
conditions.
The following Jury of inquest was sum.
moned to-day: Mr.. Il. III. Warner realizes
tate dealer; G. F. Schneider, iron founder;
William Aver. Charles |. Kellogg grocer;
Frank l.. Harvey, carpenter and builder;
j. A. Sibley. architect. The body of }. l..
Chaplin was selected for the jury to view
and determine the cause of death.
All of the employees IN that section of the
Records and Pension Office that was quar-
tered In the theater building have been
furloughed until next Monday, when they
arc ordered TO report for duty. if able TO dc
so. and are requested to bring such infOr-
nation rs they have as to the condition and
wherea bouts of the persons unable TO re-
port. Meanwhile force of clerks has been
search the ruins and collect and assert the
valuable pensions and army files that are
in the debris. Diligent efforts are being
made by the War Department. TO secure
another building for the occupancy OF the
homeless records and pension force.