Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1893-06-20
HELD RESPONSIBLE.
AINsWoRTH AND OTHERS "cRlMt-
NAlLY NEGLIGENT"
The Deaths OF the Victims Of the Ford's-
Theatre Disaster Charged to
Them-Dant Ill.
[By telegraph to the Dispatch. J

WASHINGTON, June 19.--The coroner's
jury investigating the Ford's-Theatre DIS
aster has brought in a verdict. holding
Colonel F. G. Ainsworth, Contractor
George W. Dant, Superintendent Covert.
aud Engineer Sasse responsible for the
deaths of the victims. by reason of crimi-
nal negligence on their part.
TEXT or THE VERDICT.
The jury we're out nearly two hours.
Tho verdict. with much surplus verbiage,
says that Dent excayated the earth be-
meath ono of the brick pillars which sup
ported the floor above without IN any way
shorIng or protecting the pillar. and this
caused the pillar TO fall. bringing down
the floor, above with the results known;
tha. Frederick C.. Ainsworth was the Off
Ger in charge of said building and the SAID
clerks. and that William G. Covert was
superintendent Of said building, and that
Francis Sasse was the mechanical eDgi-
neer and fireman of said building. and the
last named, although not an architect or
civil engineer: prepared the plans anu
specifications for the enlargement OF sad
cellar; and the said Ainsworth. Sasse. and
Covert and each of them knew. or ought
TO have known. that the said Dant
was engaged in excavating said cell
lar and under-pinning sind piers. and
that he had not shored the columns ana
beams Of said building or taken any other
precautIon 10 prevent the fail thereon
or of said floors; nor did hnsworth.
Sasse. Covert, or either of them. take any
precaution to prevent the fall OF said
floors while the said Dant was engaged IN
underpinning said piers or columns SO as 10
protect the said clerks from loss OF life or
limb by reason thereof: but the said Fredc-
rick G. Ainsworth, William G: Covert.
Francis Sasse. and George w. Dant
were, each of them. guilty of .crimi-
nal negligence in. respect OF the
said excavation and enlargement of
said cellar and the underpinning of said
piers. then being or about TO be done
therein, "and we. the Jurors aforesaid.
say that the said Frederick G. Ainsworth,
William G. Covert. Francis Sasse. George
W. Dant are all and each of them guilty OF
criminal negligence; and We further find
that Frederick c. Ainsworth. William u.
Covert. Francis Sasse. George W. Dant
are responsible for tho killing OF said
Frederick b. Lotus.
GOVERNMENT ARRAIGSED.
And We. the Jurors aforesaid. DO
further say that the failure OF the govern
ment OF the United States to provide for
skilled superintendent OF the work OF
repairs and alteration of its buildings IN
charge OF the War Department Is most
unbusiness-like and reprehenslble, aud we
are of the opinion that II such superln-
tendence had been provided IN the case OF
tho work on the Ford's- heatre buldin.
the awful tragedy mlght have been
averted." -,
At the request of the coroner, Mr..
Thomas, the District Attorney, read IN
verdict aloud. Not sound disturbed
him. IL was supposed the announcement
would be followed by n scene, but when
MIR. Thomas finished reading and LAID
down the paper not man IN tne room
spoke. There was an impressive silence Tor
a moment, and then the voice OF Lieutenant
Amiss requesting the assemblage TO ME
out quietly was heard. HIS instructions
were obeyed 10 the letter.
Coroner Patterson decided not to issue
warrants for the commitment of Aims
worth. Dant. Covert, and Sasse until to-
morrow. in order TO give them an oppor-
tuntv Of obtaining bail. Colonel Ans
worth has already secured Oondsman.
Contractor Dant is very Ill at ms resi-
dence. suffering from nervous attack
brought on through tho accusations made
against hun IN connection with the dlsaS-
ter.
AINswoRTH NOT A wITSEs3
WASHINGTON. ID. G., June l9.--lt was de-
clded by Coroner Patterson to-day not to
L
before the coroner's Jury investigating tho
cause of the Ford's- Theatre disaster. Col
onel Alnsworth was willing TO appear n5
the Chief of the Record end Pension Divi-
sion and an army officer. but not as an
ordinary witness. The Coroner believed
that nothing could be gained by sum
moning him in his official capacity. and as
Alnsworth was not willing to appear "a an
ordinary citizen he thought nothing could
be gained by calling him. The testimony
this morning was principally in reference
to the character of the material used by
Contractor Dant in dong the work beneath
the old theatre building.
BONDsMEN PROVIDED.
Bondsmen for Ainsworth and Contractor
Dant had been procured III advance. DIS
counting the verdict. As soon as AIMS
worth learned the nature Of the verdict he
went 20 the courthouse with his bonds
men to surrender, but there was there no
body TO receive him and no warrant for
him.