The state herald. (Holyoke, Logan County, Colo.) 1887-1921, 1893-06-16
ALMOST A LYNCHING.
EXCITEMENT IN WASHINGTON.

Feeling Against Colonel Ainsworth Rams
High During the Coronsr's Inquest.
There was q startling aud sensational scene
In the inquest In The Ford's Theater disaster
at Washington on the 18th.
DR.. schaeffer, the deputy coroner Of tho
district conducted the inquest. Near the ia
BILE around which the jurymen sat was
smaller table, at which was seated Colonel
Ainsworth, his attorney, Mr.. Perry, and
stenographer from the War department. The
district attorneys Office was also represented.
The deputy coroner called the jury TO order
and opened the Investigation by the statement
that holding an investigation In public hall
was something Of an experiment, and he ad-
mouishsd the public present to keep very
quiet. There WA nobody on trial, he said.
The jury would simply endeavor to get At tlfe
facts In tho case.
Witnesses testified that the building had al
ways been considered unsafe, and the OIL.
cials had warned the clerks not 60 to one
part, under which the excavation was being
made. The testimony also showed that tho
clerks were In fear OF Colonel Ainsworth, and
did not dare protest, as they otherwise would
have DONE It was also stated that
Colonel Ainsworth, by his presence was In
tlmidating witnesscs. The following letter
from Secretary OF War Lamont was read:
"In IL matter Of investigation now in pro-
gress before the coroner's jury in regard to
the loss Of life on Juno 0, 1909, at the Tenth
street building, which was occupied by the
record aud pension office OF the Pension de-
partment this department Is Informed that
apprehension exists among the department
employees that they may jeopardlxe their posi-
lions BY testifying before the Jury. II seems
hardly necessary for me TO say that such APP
prchcnsion 10 entirely groundless, but 70 al
lay any such fear that may exist, ] beg To
inform you that no cmploye Of the depart
ment will cIdanger his position In any way
on account Of any such Testimony given be-
fore the coroncr's jury In this case"
The testimony was proceeding quietly.
when dramatic scene occurred suddenly
and without q word OF warning.
Mr.. Banes walked forward and when close
TO Colonel Ainsworth shook his fist In his
face and with n voice trembling with passion
cried out.
"You murdered my brother, and You have
no right TO sit here and intimidate witnesses"
There was dead pause. Then Mr.. War
ncr, one OF the jurors, said that owing 10 the
evident feeling displayed, he thought It only
right that anyone who might be implicated
In this matter should be asked to withdraw.
Great excitement followed.
Mr.. Perry. counsel for Colonel AInsworth,
got on his feet, but bowls md shouts from all
sides drowned his voice. In vain he appealed
to be heard. Excited men were shaking their
fists, and cries OF murderer" etc, arose
DR.. Warner sprang on chair and appealed
for quiet aud peace.
One man yelled skill him." and chang
him," and general movement was made to-
wards Colonel Alnsworth, who remained
calm but pale. Mr.. Warner. standing on
chair, appealed again and again for peace,
while Lieutenant Amlss Of the police force
took his station by Colonel Ainsworth's
chair.
One excited man jumped in from, Of the
coroner and yelled:
There will be no peace until Ainsworth Is
put under arrest and held without ball.
Finally Mr.. Warner made himself heard
and succeeded In quleting the storm which
threatened another chapter to the horror, aud
Coroner Schaeifcr Immediately adjourned the
hearing until tomorrow. As soon ,s ,nc in-
quest adjourned Colonel Alnsxorth went out
and got Into carriage and drove away.