New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-06-14
COLONEL AINSWORTH'S STATEMENT
HE AYERS THAT HE NEVER HAD ANY IDEA
TIE BrILnINl; WAS VN:AFE.

HE AYERS THAT HE NEVER HAD ANY IDEA
THE BUILDING; WAS UN:AFE.
Washington June 13-The proceedings IN the DIS
irct Supreme Court In the Fords Theatre tragedy case
to-day were interesting. The petition filed by Colonel
Ainsworth gives In detail statement Of the condition
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. lie sets tor'h
the fact that he 1, chief Of the record and pension
Office OF the War Department, with the rank OF colonel
in the Army. and such Is, among other 'hinIs'
charged with the supervision OF the clerical fore" IN
one of the branches OF the record and pension once
in Ford's old opera building. having been put In
charge IN 1857.
C,oncl Ainsworth saws that rs he had Heretofore
heard certain rumors touching the insecurity OF the
eastern wall OF the building, when he assumed con
troll Of the building he made diligcnt inquiry OF the
officers Of the War Department and learned that II
had been made perfectly secure, and that the entire
building was in every respect safe. Having in le''
and 1859 obtained new stcam-heating apparatus
and an entirely plumbing outfit for the whole
building Colonel AnswOrth says, further TO promote
the comfort Of the force he procured an decfrcght
plant and for the purpose OF locating this eectrcght
plant and 10 improve the ventilation OF the basement
Of the building It became necessary to eXcavate IA
space about twelve feet In width between two parii-
lion walls I'm the basement. These he says, required
to be underpinned. Colonel Answorth caused speed
ncatons to be made showing the work to Dc done, and
submitted them the officers OF the War Department
charged with the duty OF making contracts. Bidders
We're required do the work without canger to The
buildings and ong all the fourteen bidders Colonel
AnswOrth says, there was no intimation oil probable
danger.
ont of abundant caution the Colonel says. further.
that during the progress Of the work he had FREE
qucnty gone into the basement and had given ori"rs
that should be informed Of the slightest Indication
Of danger that he might remove all The occn'
pants. furthcrance OF this, lie says, lie ordered
the superintendent OF the building to keep constant
watch, and that one suspected any weakness or
cause of danger. Colonel Alnsworth AYERS that he
never entertainei any idea that the work was dan
gerOus and denies that any Of the numerous "cu
pants of the building made any suggestion of danger
to him or any one else to his knowledge until after
the accident.
Concerning the space ropcd OF. he says, there was
small portion Of the first floor roped of, for the
reason that II to BE- subsequently removed, and
because 1t was supported only by olsts resting In
the ground which had been cxcavated, and not be-
cause OF any apprehension Of danger 10 the building
He declare that he gave directions, nor was any
one authorized TO do with respect 10 the movement
Of about the building during the progress
OF the work On June o. Colonel AinswOrth con
Times after all the walls, including all the piers but
one, had safely undcrpnned, and while the men
actually underpinnlng the last pier, the pier
gave way and the accident occurred.
Colonel AnswOrh says that almost Immediately
after the catastrophe rumors reached him that lac
was publicly accused OF criminal negligence and he
: accused In the public press Of the District.
lie therefore appeared with counsel the session OF
the CorOner's Jury, JUDE IL, the testimony OF
certain witnesses tending If unexplained, to imputc
him criminal negligence. Through his counsel,
Colonel AnswOrth says, he requested permission OF
the Coroner TO examine witnesses but the
deputy coroner refused. subsequently, the reator
says he falsely accused OF in'lmidang witnesses
and charged with murler by sundry persons In ut
tendance and was finally called upon 10 withdraw
from the court by the deputy coroner and by one Of
him and threatened his life
Colonel Answorth SAYS he has stated the facts
fully because he Is convinced that fair invessa
tion will result In his acqultal Of all blame. lie Is
advised, he continues. that no map cam be legally
he desires. and having permission to cross-examne
witnesses Colonel Ainsworlh then goes on 10 say
a' that thu yes Of e jury hm
with RESPONSIBILITIES the coroner has authority 10 com
denial OF the right to be present and examine Wit
nesses would deprive him 81 the legal rights Of an
all his avermen's and desires to produce witnesses
and 10 cross-cxamine those adverse 10 him, and for
commanding the coroner 10 permit him TO b. present
with counsel and examine witnesses touching any
testimony In sk own behalf; also commanding the
deputy coroner to enforce order in his and TO
adopt such measures as may be required 10 protect
his nfe. which had been threatened.
A few minutes before 3 O'Clock the room occupied
by Justice Bingham. Chief Justice Of the District
supreme Court, began I" fill M with clerks who
served under Colonel Ninsw0rth, and shortly after
the hour named r.. Ross Perry representing Colonel
Ainsworh. and District Attorney I,urncy. for the
coroner, entered the District Attorney BnTney
filed demurrer avering tina. Colonel AinswOrth's
petition did not set forth any matter HAT entitled him
10 a writ Of manf;mus Colonel AinswOrth Lad not
beer accused said Mr.. Brrney. save by newspapers.
Their. had been charge, warrant arrest. His
position simply this That. fearing something
might b. said verdict rendered that might re-
fleet upon linn, be seeks oh order TO demand the
coroner q permit him 10 have counsel and conduct
a trial Investigation by cOroner's jury not n
trial. but similar to the Grand Jury proceedings.
duct OF III. Il. Warner. the Juror who made speech
yesterday and who Mr.. Perry said, precpitnted the
scene that followed lie further questioned the
authority Of . Deputy coroner to preside over an in
vestieaion VI this kind, and asserted that in none
ment. such being true. all hi. acts must be void.
His position was that Colonel Ainsworth was In