The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1893-06-14
A QUIETER HEARING.
Officers Preserve Order in the
Ford's Theater Inquest.
COLONEL AINswoRTEs APPEAL

The Head OF the Record Division Asks
That He May bo Represented by Coun-
sol at tho Inquest-The District At
torney Protests.
WAsHINGToN, June 14.-By direction of
the commissioners Of the District of CO.
lumbia the inquest over the victims Of the
old theatcr disaster was continued pub
licly in Willard's hall, instead of privately
in police station. Tho place was densely
crowded
In order to prevent repetition of the
trouble Of yesterday, Lieutenant Amiss, of
the police force, was on hand with squad
of officers. Many prominent persons were
also in attendance.
just before the inquest began Judge
Jere Wilson, well known Washington
lawyer, entered the hall with Smith
Thompson, the elderly clerk who presided
over the indignation meeting. Judge
Wilson had volunteered his services in the
interest OF the employees Of the record and
pension division, and his appearance was
the signal for an outburst Of applause
from the clerks Of that office.
William II. Mellack, clerk who was
employed on the second floor of the old
theater building, was the first witness.
Mr. Mellack described his escape from the
collapsed building humorously. He had.
he said, mapped out route of escape
from the old theater in the event of fire.
He had heard the building described as an
old rattle trap, and he had this statement
confirmed by seeing the rear or east wall,
which bulged to considerable extent.
There was private staircase in the annex
to the structure, but 1t was used only by
Colonel Ainsworth and his chief clerk,
Mr.. Brown.
Mr. Meilack said he believed the build
ing was dangerous, but he did not care to
complain, because he felt that il he had
complained his position would not be Sc
cure. He did not believe In this civil SER
vice business it afforded no protection.
Ernest +. Berger, another clerk, told of
the belief among clerks that the building
was dangerous. He had been told by one
clerk Fred Collins, .hat tho building was
In danger Of co.lapsing, and he had replied
that II 1t did collapse Ainsworth ought to
be under 1t. The witness said he had been
induced to make the remark about hoping
Colonel Ainsworth would be under the
building II 1t collapsed on account of Col
onel Ainsworth's treatment of the clerks.
Ernest Baier, record and pension divi-
sion clerk, told Of the fear that the theater
building would fall during the progress of
the excavation.
A. o. Crosby, E. F. Edwards, G. Frank
Randolph and other clerks gave testimony
about tho hard feelings existing between
employees and their superiors, and the un-
safe condition of the building.
COLONEL AINswoRTH's APPEAL.
why He Wants His Counsel ut the Cor
oner's Inquest.
WASHINGTON, June 14-The proceedings
in the district supreme court in the Ford's
theater tragedy case yesterday were inter
est1ng.
The petition filed by Colonel Ainsworth
gives In detail statement of the condi-
tiou OF the building and his participation
in the work, which is the first statement
bearing directly upon the case he has made
since the accident. The document is very
voluminous In it he says TINT as he had
Heretofore heard certain rumors touching
the security of tho eastern wall of the
building, when he assumed control of the
building he made diligent inquiry of the
officers of the war department and learned
1t had heen made perfectly secure, and that
the entire building was in every respect
safe.
Colonel Ainswo rth then relates his ne
gotiations for the necessary work of ex-
CtfHliuB, anu says ue UluSEbu Ine SuJBI-
intendent of the building to keep a con-
slant watch, and that no ono suspected
any weakness or cause of danger. Col
onel Ainsworth AYERS that he never enter
taincd any idea that the work was dam
gerous, and denies that any of the nu-
nerous occupants of the building made
any suggestion of danger to him or any
ono else to his knowledge until after the
accident
Colonel Ainsworth says that almost i'm
medately after the catastrophe rumors
reached him that he was publicly accused
of criminal negligence, and was so accused
in the public press of the district. He
therefore appeared with counsel at the
session of the coroner's jury, June 10, the
testimony of certain witnesses tending, II
unexplained, to impute to him criminal
negligence. Through his counsel, Colonel
Ainsworth says, he requested permission
of the coroner to cross examine witnesses,
| but the deputy refused. Subsequently. the
relator says, he was falsely accused of in.
timidating witnesses, and charged with
| murder By sundry persons In attendance,
and was finally called upon to withdraw
from the court by the deputy coroner and
by one of the jurors Thereupon riotous
| mob surrounded him and threatened his
life
He says he is prepared TO prove all his
averments, and desires to produce wit
! nesses and to cross-examine those adverst
to him, and for this reason prayed that a
| writ of mandamus might issue. command
ing the coroner to permit him to be pres
ent with counsel and examine witnesses
touching any alleged criminal negligence
of his, and to adduce testimony in his OWE
behalf Also commanding the deputy
coroner to enforce order In his court, and
to adopt such measures as might be re
quired to protect his life, which had beer
threatened.
District Attorney Burney filed de
murrer clniming that Colonel Ainsworth',
petition did not seth forth any matter thai
entitled him to writ of mandamus
Colonel Ainsworth had not been accused
Baid Mr.. Burney, save by the newspapers
There had been no charge, warrant ol
arrest His position was simply this; Tha
fearing something might be said or yer
dict rendered that might reflect upon him
he seeks an order TO command the corenel
to permit him to have counsel and condue
trial. Investigation by a coroners jur.
was not trial, but similar TO a grand jur,
proceeding.
The court took the question under ad
yisement until today.
sexton VIII Remain In Parliament.
LONDON, June 14-Thomas Sexton whit
gave notice of his withdrawal from parlia
ment because the Nationalists passed !