The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-06-20
PRICE TWO CENTS
CRIMINAL NEGLIGENCE.
FOUR MEN HELD RESPONSIBLE FoR
THE DEATH OF THE vI0rIns
or the Old Ford's Theatre Disaster-The
Jury Lay tho Blame at the Doors of
Ainswortb. Dant, Covert and sssso.

WASHINGTON. June i9.-The coroner's
jury investigating the Ford's Theatre dis
aster has brought IN a verdict holding
Colonel L. c.. Answorth. Contractor
George w. Dant. Superintendent Covert
and Engineer Sasse responsible for the
death OF the victims. by reason OF GRIM
inal negligence on their part.
The jury were out nearly two hours.
The verdict, with much surplus verbia3a.
says that Dant excayated the earth be-
meath one OF the brick pillars which sup
ported the floors above without In any
way snoring or protecting the pillar. and
this caused the pillar 20 fall, bringing
down the floors above with the results
known.
That Frederick c. Ainsworth was the
officer In charge OF said building and the
said clerks, and that William o. Covert
was superintendent OF said building. and
that Francis Sasse was the mechanical
engineer and fireman OF said building
and ahe latter, although not an architect.
or civil engineer, prepared the plans and
specifications for the enlargement Of
said 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 eNcayating said cellar
and underpinning said piers and that he
had not shored the columns aud beams
OF said building, or taken any other pre-
caution TO prevent the fan thereof, or Of
said floors. nor did AinswOrth, Sasse,
Covert or either Of them. take any lre-
caution TO prevent the fal OF said noo.s
while the said Dant was engaged IN un-
derpinning said piers or columns so as
la fns..
life or limb by reason hereof, nut the
said Frederick G. Ainsworth, William O..
covert Francis Sasse. George Dant.
were and each Of them was guilty of
Criminal negligence In respect of the
'aid excavation and enlargement Of aid
cellar and the underpinning OF said piers
then being and about 10 be done therein.
aud We. the Jurors aforesaid. say that
the said Frederick q. Ainsworih. William
o. covert, Francis Sasse. George w.
Dant and each of them. is guilty OF crin-
mai negligence; and we further ind that
Frederick G, Ainsworth, William g.. CO.
vert. Francis Sasse, George w. Daat
are responsible for the killing OF the said
Frederick B LOTUS
And we, the Jurors aforesaid, do fur
ther say that the failure Of the Govern
ment Of the United States To provide for
skilled superintendence OF the work OF
repair and alteration of It's buildings
I'm charge OF the War Department *
most unbusiness like and reprehensible.
and we are OF the opinion that had such
superintendent been provided i'm the case
Of the work on the Fords Theatre build
Ing the awful tragedy might have been
averted."
AZ the request OF the coroner. Mr.
Thomas, the district attorney read the
verdict aloud Not sound disturbed
him. II was supposed the announcement
would be followed by n scene. but when
Mr.. Thomas finished reading and laid
down the paper not a man I'm the room
spoke. There was an oppressive silence
for a mOmelt. and the voice Of Lieuten-
ant Amiss requesting the assemblase to
fle out quietly, was heard. Ills instruc-
tlons were obeyed 10 the letter
Coroner Patterson decided not 10 issue
warrants for the commitment OF Aims
worth. Dant. Covert and Sasse until to-
morrow morning In order 10 give them
an opportunity " obtaining bail. Colonel
Ainsworth has already secured bonds
man.
Contractor Dant Is very IN at his resi-
dence, suffering from a nervous attack
brought on through the accusations made
against him In connection with the dis
aeter.
Bondsmen for Airsworth and contrac-
tor Dant had been procured I'm advance.
discountlng the verdict. "A som as AIMS
v orth learned the nature Of the verdict
he went 10 the court house with bOndsmen
10 surrender. but there was then nobody
t0 receive him and no warrant awaiting
him.