The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1893-06-20

WASHINGTON, D. O., June lo.-lt was
decided by Coroner Patterson to-day
that Col, F. @. Ainsworth should not be
summoned to appear as witness be-
lore the Coronor'a jury investigating the
cause OF tho Ford's theatre disaster.
This decision was precipitated by B. II,
Warner, one OF the Jurors, in stating
that several Of the jurors would like
tho coroner to issue n subpoena for
Colonel AinswOrth to give testimony at
the inquest not merely in regard to his
own connection with the theatre acci-
dent, but with reference to other par.
ties concerned,
Mr.. Warner stated that he wished to
say ior the jury in reference to the
statements Of prejudice in the minds OF
ts members, that up to the time Of the
inquest proceedings began the jury had
the highest opinion Of Colonel Aims
worth but he had interjected himself
upon them rs q defendant when he was
not accused.
The testimony this morning was
principally in reference to the character
Of the material used by Contractor
Dan! in doing the work beneath the old
theatre building. Interest in the efforts
OF the Jury to determine where the re-
sponsi6iliiy for the collapse of the
building rested was intensified when
Captain Thorpe, chief OF the supply
division, war department, was called to
the stand. From questions asked last
week by members OF the jury it was ap.
parent that they had an idea that Cap
tain Thorpe was in some way responsi'
bio for the work beneath the building,
He was questioned as to the bond given
by Dant.
The testimony created sensation,
There was no bond, said Captain
Thorpe. One had been drawn up, but
Dant had come to him and said the
man who was going on his bond was
thebrck contractor, and he thought he
ought not 20 on. Witness had consult
cd with Col. Ainsworth and Dant, and
had beon told TO go on without bond.
Nothing sensational was developed
after this.
Five witnesses testified, the last being
Butler Fitch, an elderly white-haired
clerk OF the record and pension divis.
ion, who said he came to the conclusion
that the old theatre building was un-
safe wlila the excavation was going on,
and therefore on the day before the ca.
tastropho asked aud obtained five days
leave When he concluded his testi-
mony the jury retired to consider the
case,
After being out two hours the jury
returned a verdict setting forth that
Frederick b. Lotus canhe to his death
by the disaster at Ford'a theatre build.
ing on Juno 8, 1903. They recite the
fact that George w. Dant was the con-
tractor under the government for the
work in progress which caused the dis
aster aud all tho circumstances con.
neCted with the accident, and find that
Frederick O. AinsworIh, in charge Of
the building, VIM. G., Covert, the su.
perintendOnt, Francis sasse, the engi-
neer, and George W. Dant, the con-
tractor arc responsible for the killing
Of Lotus. The jurors further find that
the failure Of tho government Of the
United States TO provide for skilled su.
perintCndenco OF tho work OF repair
and alteration OF its building in charge
oil the war department is most unbusl.
nCssike and reprohensible, and are OF
tho opinion that II such superintend-
enCe had been provided in the case OF
tho work on the Ford's theatre build
ing tho awful tragedy might have been
averted.
Coroner Patterson decided not to is
sue warrants for the commitment OF
Colonel Ainsworth, Dant, Covert and
Sasso until tomorrow morning in or.
der to give them an opportunity Of OBJ.
tanning bail. Colonel Aiusworth has
already secured n bondsman. Con-
tractor Dant is very ill at his residence,