The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1893-06-13
CRIMINAL NEGLIGENCE
fsrrible Clfele;sn6s d Soma On In
Authority.
CLERKS GROWN DESPERATE
They Almost Mobbed Colonel Aims
worth-Oid Not Dare to Com
plain Lest They Lose
Their Positions.

WASHINGTON, Juno l2.-The inquest
over the bodies Of the victims of the
Ford's theater accident began hero to-day.
Colonel Ainsworth, chief of the record and
pensions division, against whom 10 i'm
piled the accusation Of tho responsibility
for the accident. was present. The hrst
witness, Benjamin Reiss, testified that he
had not seen any area ropcd OH as danger.
Gus inside tho building. For several years
he had heard ruinors that the old build.
ing, particularly the rear wall. which did
not fall, was unsafe. Colonel Ainsworth
was there during the time Of tho excava-
tion.
THEY LIVED IN FEAR.
Charles Troutman. q clerk, testified that
he had been warned by J. w. Webb, in
charge Of the first floor. not to approach
the area on the floor, ropcd Off, while the
excavation was going on. No other warm
ing of the insecurity of the building was
given. Tho day before the accident Col.
Ainsworth examined the ropcd of space
minutely and witness thought that no
went down stairs to zee the excavation.
Old employees had told Col. Ainsworth
that the building was n shell and death
trap.
Smith Thompson, another clerk, testi.
fled that the messengers of Col. Aims
worth, stationed on tho stairway, fro.
quently notified the clerks with bated
breath that 1t was the colonel's orders
that employees should walk on tip-toe up
and down the stairway. The witness was an
engineer and had examined the building.
There were no props where the excavation
was going on. He declared that the feel
ing Of the clerks toward Colonel Aims.
worth was ono of abject fear. A burst Of
hand clapping from the assembled clerks
followed this declaration.
Warner asked IL there was such feel
ing Of fear that tho clerks were afraid to
make suggestions as to the dangerous
condition Of the building.
ut was," emphatically answered the
witness, and he added that the feeling
extended to Jacob Freech, Ainsworth's Q
right bower, and to o. p. Brown, chief
clerk OF the building.
TWO IMPORTANT LETTERS.
At this point letter was received from
Attorney General Olnsy rendering his ser
vices as assistant In conducting the in.
quiry. The offer was declined. Another
letter. which was from Secretary Of War
Lamont. created sensation. The letter
was TO the effect that the war department
Was informed that apprehension existed
among the department employees that they
might jeoparslis, their positions by testi.
flying before tho jury. Colonel Lamont
wrote: ut seems hardly necessary for me
to say that such apprehension is entirely
groundlcss, but to allay any such fears as
may exist, beg to inform you that no em.
ploye of the department will cndaneer his
position In any way on account Of any
such testimony"
jefferson w. Carter, clerk In the
wrecked building, testified that there had
been common rumor among the clerks
that the building was unsafe.
WALKED ON TIPToE.
The first witness at the afternoon ses.
sion was David Brown, clerk, who said
that he Ind been instructed to 20 care
fully up and down the stairway in the
building. Brown Was asked 10 there was
any fear on the part Of the clerks that they
would be disturbed IL they protested
against remaining in the building.
"Yes. SIR" he answered and then de.
INJURED, hut finally said, II do not fear
Colonel Ainsworth, for ho has done ma
two favors. but / do fear Mr.. Freoch."
Brown said further that there was much
feeling about the insecurity of tho build,
ing and a great many clerks, himself
among them, would have protested II they
had the courage TO do 50 against being
kept In the old thcatcr.
"What had clerks to apprehend2" 2" was
asked.
"Discharge, ;" said Brown.
~. :. Smith, n clerk, testified that the
feeling was not directed to Colonel Aims
worth. bls to other officials. particularly
Jacob Freech. The talk against Colonel
Ainsworth was confined to few old sore.
heads.
James A. Long, clerk. said that he felt
insecure during the work of excavation,
and secured leave Of absence while the
excavation was,going on, and had applied
for life insurance.
DRAMATIC SCENE.
While Albert n. Crosby was being ex.
amined man walked slowly TO a place
behind Colonel Ainsworth's chair and said
something in such . loud voice that .,
brought warning 'Sh. sh." But the man
was not to be hushcd. He stepped for.
ward and, standing directly over Colonel
Ainsworth, cried In voice trembling with
passion.
"You murdered my brother and I'd like
to know what right You have to sti
here and intinidate witnesses"
There was moment of silence after
this passionate outburst and then wild
shout Of approval. Colonel Ainsworth 81,
| calmly In his chair. Lieutenant Smiss
pushed tho disturber toward the doorway
His name is Charles G.. Barnes, whose
brother was killed. The shouts Of the
government clerks present were con
tinued and II looked for q minute rs II
Colonel Ainsworth Was In danger. but
some sharp words from Police Lieutensn,
Finnally brought qusst.
AINswoRrH REMAINED.
Before the witness las allowed to pro.
ceed b. II. Warner, one Of the jurors. sug.
eested TO the coroner that the episode
showed the existence OF feeling that would
best be silcnced by the withdrawal of the
party against whom II was directed. Loud
applause followed Warmers remarks and
DR.. Shacffer whispered . request to
Colonel Ainsworth to withdraw. He re
fused to do 80, however, and the eorouer