The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1893-06-18
FIXING RESPONSIBILITY
Somebody's Negligence Caused
Twenty-three Deaths.
ooRoNER's INQUEST ABOUT CLOSED

brought About the Ford's Theatcr Trag-
WASHINGTON, June FIN the inquest
over the victims of the Ford's thcater col
lapse the new line of examining was con-
tinued and further information brought
out i'll regard to the work which would
seem to be Mt the foundation of the terrible
disaster. The most important testimony
was given by one of the clerks, who testi-
fled to the apprehension he had felt that
there was great danger in making the
underpinning and that he had informed
his superiors and had moved his desk from
over the dangerous space
The testimony also probed further into
the manner i'll which the work of eXcava-
ton and underpinning was being done,
and whether proper precautions were taken
to avoid n general crash The technical
knowledge of Mr. Frank Harvey, one of
the jurors and himself contractor has
been of great value in bringing out facts
i'll the case
Testimony by Clerk.
Joseph Fought testified that he was n
clerk in the wrecked building. He had
looked at the excavation almost every day
Had taken an interest in the matter as Il
man who considered his life in danger
Had talked to the contractor several times
IN regard to undermining the piers with
out any supports, and the contractor had
said he thought everything was safe. Wit
ness had felt differently, however, and had
considered the building SO dangerous that
he had applied to his chief, Mr.. Webb, to
be allowed to move his desk close to the
wall, which he had done. Had spoken to
number OF his fellow clerks rs to his idea
OF the dangerous condition of the building
Had been warned by clerks thut he had
better not speak openly in the matter, rs
clerks were not supposed to speak freely
on such questions. Witness testified that
Colonel Ainsworth and Superintendent
Covert had overseen the ropng off of
space on the first floor.
In answer to Mr.. Warner the witness
said that he should say the workmen on
the excavation were of rather inferior
quality.
Conversation With Sussc.
Augustus Davis, IL builder from Falls
Church. said he was II bidder for the con-
tract for repairing Fords theater and made
an examination of the building at that
time. He saw Mr.. Sasse, who showed him
drawing and the specifications. He had
quite conversation with the engineer and
was told that drawings were prepared in
the building. 1t was evident they were not
the work of an expert and they needed con-
siderable explanation i'm order to be under
stood. Witness spoke at time of the tick
lish" character of the work that was to be
done and called Mr.. Sasse's attention to
the incompleteness of the specifications.
He saw Captain ThOrpe's name at the bot
tom OF the specifications and spoke to him
about the matter.
He noticed Il defect in the specifications
n IDIp Ham.
ton of the flooring necessary to prosecute
the work
There was no provision in the specifica-
lions for snoring up the other floors Willie
the repairs were being made. Witness told
OF Il conversation he had with Builder
olnims about the character and danger of
the work on the day the bids were opened.
Witness said ut the time if some d--n fool
was TO get the contract he might throw the
whole building down.
Witness said in answer to n question
that, in his opinion, no sane man would
have attempted TO make the repair i'm an
occupied building without first Snoring up
the floors. Had they been properly shored
there would have been no danger at all.
Petitions Were of No Avail.
III. L. Wiley said that he was a clerk i'm
the wrecked building. He was OH the
first floor. His desk was about feet from
the pillar which gave way. Knew of the
ropes being put up about two weeks before
the accident.
Witness had been warned about cross
ing this area, and about II minutes before
the accident the ropedoff area had been
extended. Mr.. Webb had done this. Wit
ness had seen the pillar fall. 1t went down
perpendicularly. Then there was Il cloud of
dust and he was thrown to the floor. Wit
hess had considered the building danger
Gus, but had never made any complaint.
Considered that it would have been of no
avail. 1t was very disagreeable working
while the excavations were being made,
ana witness had spoken to Mr.. Webb, and
ne had said that he had done all he could.
witness knew of three petitions made by
the clerks which had been of no avail.
In answer to Mr.. Warner Mr. Riley said
he knew of some improvements which had
been made in the building in the line of
the sanitary condition.
The taking of testimony is about com
pieted and soon the verdict of the coroner's
jury as to the responsibility for the disas
Ter by which "A lives were lost will be given
to the public
Another Death Reported.
WASHINGTON, June IA. H. Ames.who
was injured in the Ford's theater disaster
on the 9th inst, died at the Emergency
hospital. Mr.. Ames was born in Illinois
about 81 yearsa ago, but subsequently, moved
to Iowa, from which state he was appointed
to a clerkship in the record and pension .
dlvlslon. He leaves widow and one SON
His death is made dOubly sad from the fact
THAI his wife will be confined in q very
short time. His remains will be taken to
his home at Iona, Ia. Messrs. McCor-