Bismarck weekly tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1884-1943, 1893-06-16
Sensational Scenes at the In
vestigation of the Ford's
Theatre Disaster.
Colonel Ainsworth Accused of
Murder by a Victims Ex-
cited Brother.
Clerks Make a Rush for Their
Former Superior with Cries
of Hang Him."

WASHINGTON, June 13.-The inquest
over the bodies of the victims of the
Ford's theatre disaster was commenced
at II a. M. in Wizards hall, adjoining
Wizards hotel, a DON capable of &C.
%sommodating 500 people. Just at II
o'clock Colonel Ainsworth, chief of the
record and pension division, who has
been placed on the defensive by implied
accusations that he was responsible for
the presence of clerks in the old build
ings, entered the hall and engaged in a
short consultation with his attorney,
Ross Perry of this city. Several hun
dred persons were present, most of
them being the clerks of the record and
pension division, with a sprinkling of
war department officials, builders, con-
tractors and policemen. DR.. Schaetfer,
the deputy coroner Of the district, con-
Quoted the inquest.
Exciting Scenes
marked the taking of testimony during
the entire day and a riot was narrowly
averted on several occasions. The tes-
timony showed that the clerks were in
abject fear of Colonel Ainsworth, their
superior, and testified with hesitation.
A letter was read from Colonel Lamont
giving assurance that no clerk need
fear dismissal on account of his testi-
mony. This had a tendency to open
the mouths of the clerks andsdamaging
evidence regarding the condition of the
building was brought out.
Smith Thompson, a clerk in the
theatre building, who made a bitter
speech denouncing Colonel Ainsworth
at the relief meeting on Friday, testi-
fed that he was frequently warned
about the building being dangerous, in
fact Colonel Ainsworth had messengers
stationed on the stairway who notified
the clerks to
Go Up and Down Easily.
Mr.. Warner, one of the jurors, asked
the witness as to the feeling of the clerks
in the theatre building towards their
superior officer, Colonel Ainsworth.
THAT Of abject fear," answered Mr..
Thompson impressively. A slight buzz
and shifting Of chairs followed, then a
loud clapping of hands. DR.. Schaetfer
rose and delivered a lecture to the Of
tenders and the hearing proceeded.
AT the afternoon session while a wit
ness was being examined a man walked
slowly to a place behind Colonel Aims
worth chair and said something in such
a loud voice that it brought a warning
from some of those present. But the
man was not to be hushed. He
stepped forward and standing behind
and directly over Colonel Ainsworth
cried in a voice trembling with passion,
"You Murdered My Brother
and I'd like to know what right you
have to sit here and intimidate wit
nesses." There was a moments silence
after this passionate outburst and then
a wild shout of approval. Colonel Aims
worth sat calmly in his chair without
even turning his head to see who de
nounced him. The shouts OF the gov
eminent clerks present continued.
"That's right; he did it, put him out,
were the endorsements OF the accusa.
ton against Ainsworth. Some were on
their feet and it looked for a minute as
if Colonel Ainsworth was in danger.
But sharp words from the police lieu
tenant finally brought quiet. Before
the witness was allowed to proceed Mr.
B. H. Warner, of the jurors and g
wealthy citizen Of Washington. sug.
gested to the coroner that the episode
that had just occurred showed the ex
istence of a feeling that could best be
silenced by the withdrawal of parties
against whom it was directed. DR.
Shaeffer whispered a request to Colonel
Ainsworth to withdraw.
He Refused to Do So,
however, and the coroner, turning tc
the jury, said he had no right to ex
clude from the hearing any person, who
was likely to be a party to the verdict.
MI. Ross Perry, as representative fol
Colonel Ainsworth, rose to make
some remarks on the subject and
his first words were the cause for the
most exciting incident Of the day. But
Ter Fitch, an old white haired clerk Of
the record and pension department,
started the trouble. "Sit down." he
shouted, "you are an outsider and have
no right here. l protest against an out
slider speaking here" ''Sit down, si1
down." echoed his fellow clerks ir
voices that were not restrained. Fitch
cried out something about murder
and his words were echoed from every
part of the hall. Record and pension
division clerks were on their feet,
Trying to Make Speeches
as though a public meeting was being
held. All this time MI. Perry stood
immovable and when the uproar haG
quoted somewhat n appealeu " u,
crowd to allow him to speak. II ap
peal to You as American citizens fol
fair play" he cried. You did not give
us fair play" yelled an excited indi
vidual. Old Butler Fitch kept crying
mo intimidation" Morgan Spencer Of
Bridgeport, Ala, another government,
clerk, called out ut Colonel Ainsworth
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