Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1893-06-13
then read and created a buzz. It was

pension Office or the War Department,
the department. is informed that apIre-
tensions exists among the departments
employees that they may jeOpareize their
positions by testifying before the jury,
Ii seems hardly necessary for me to say
that such apprehension is entirely
groundless, but 70 allay any such fear
as may exist, beg to inform you that
nc emplOye OF the department will en-
danger his position in any way on ac-
count Of any such testimony given be-
fore the cOrOner's jury in this case.
Jefferson Carter, clerk, was then
called and said in answer to question
that there had been common rumor
among The clerks that the building was
insecure. He had heard casual CON-
ments about the insecurity OF the build
ing while the excavation was being
made and only the other day-June Ord
or 4th-Wm. Sehreiber, who was killed
in the disaster. said TO him, pointing TO
the excavation, Garter. see they're
digging your grave" Both Schreioer
and Mulledy. who were killed, had fre-
ouently spoken to him about the danger
Gus condition Of the building. At this
point a recess was taken.
The first witness at the afternoon
session was David II. z. Brown, third
floor clerk, who said that since January
6, 1898, he had heard the building was
unsafe. BE had been instructed to go
carefully up and down the stairway In
the theatre building nearly every after
noon by q messenger called Sergeant"
Mr.. Brown was asked II there was
any fear on the part Of the clerks that
they would be discharged If they pro-
tested against remalRing In the build
Ing. ayes, sir" he answered; and then
quickly added, ~ decline to answer
that question"
''On what grounds do you decline 70
answer Pn asked DR. Schsefer.
"On the grounds Of my own position.
"Did you hear the letter Of the Secre-
tary Of War read promising protection
to clerks who testified p
ayes sir, " was the answer. 81 do not
fear Col. AinswOreh, for be has done mo
two favors, but do fear Mr.. Frech, "
whom Mr.. Thompson called "Col.
AinswOrtb's right bower"
Mr.. Brown finally decided to answer
the original question. He said there
was much feeling about the insecurity
OF the building, and a great many
clerks, himself among them, would have
protested. il they had had courage to do
so, against being kept in the old theatre.
what had the clerks TO apprehendP"
was asked.
Discharge" " said Mr.. Brown.
Albert n. Crosby, a third floor clerk,
was not allowed 70 finish his testimony.
While he was being examined man
walked slowly to place behind Colonel
AinswOrth's and said something in such
a loud voice that it brought a warning
''sh-h"-from some of them present.
But the man was not TO be hushed. He
stepped forward aud standing directly
over Col. Ainsworth, cried in voice
trembling with passion: "You murdered
nv brother, and I'd like to know what
right you have to sit here and intimi-
date witnesses.
There was a moments silence after
this passionate OutbHrst, and then q
wild shout OF approval. Col. Aims
worth sat calmly In his chair. Lieut.,
Amiss, Of the police force, walked over
to the dlsturber and pushed him toward
a doorway. "WhO is hep" asked some
one.
"His name Is Charles G. Banes, whose
brother was killed." was the answer
from a dozen clerks. Banes Is q real
estate agent.
The shouts OF the government clerks
present continued that's right, he did
it," put him OUT" were the enoorse-
ments OF the accusation OF Banes.
Some men were on their feet and IL
looked for a minute that Col. Aims
worth was in danger. But sharp words
from the police lieutenant finally
brOught quiet.
Before the witness was allowed to
proceed, Mr.. B. II. Warner, one OF the
Jurors, and a wealthy citizen OF Wash
ington, suggested to the coroner that
the episode showed the existence OF a
feeling that could best be silenced by
the withdrawal Of the party against
whom IL was directed.
Loud applause followed Mr.. Warmers
remarks, aud DR.. Schaetfer whispered
a request to Col. AinswOrth TO with
draw. He refused TO do so, however,
and the corener turning to the jury,
said he had no right to exclude from
the hearing any person who was likely
to be a party to the verdict.
Juror Hanvey said he had been told
bV half a dozen clerks that they had
been afraid 20 testify, and would have
refused TO do so but for the letter OF the
Secretary OF War.
Mr.. Ross Perry, as the representative
Of Col. AinswOrth, arose to make some
remarks on the tubiect and his first
word was signal for the most exciting
incident Of the day.
Butler Fitch, an old white-haired
Jerk Of the record and pension division,
started the trouble. |Slt down." he
shouted, you are an outsider and have
no right here. Iprotest against {n out
slider speaking nere."
''Sit down, sit down" echoen bis fel-
low clerks In voices that were pot re-
strained. Fitch cried out something
about murder, "and his words were ech-
oed 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 Mr.. Perry stood
immoyable and when the uproar had
quieted somewhat he appealed to the
crowd 70 let him speak.
II appeal 20 yOn as American citizens
for fair play" he cried.
"You did not give Us fair play,
yelled an excited individual. Old But
Ter Fitch kept crying 'No intimida-
tiOn."
Morgan Spencer, Of Bridgeport, Ala,
another government clerk, called out at
Col. AinswOrth: "You should be ar
rested for murder and not relea sed on
bail. 4"
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