New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-12-30
THE Audience ITSELF TO BLAME.
VERDICT OF THE CORoNERs JURY IN THE BALTI-
MORE PANIC CAsE-SOME SERIOUS
CHARGES MADE.

Baltimore Dec. 20 lSpeciaD From 10 o'clock this
| morning until nghtfal a Coroner's jury sat nvesti-
eating the Front-st y Tleatre disaster The inquest
replee sensational features, but the YER
dict of the jury that the audience itself was to
blame for the disaster.
Several serious charges made by witnesses.
While the majority Of those examined reiterated
the gas-eak story. two three declared that the
panic caused by malicious persons for the pur-
pose of plumber. one testified that woman
had her diamond earrings torn out OF her ears, and
that several mer were to leave the scene
run. Employees of the theatre and members OF the
Oriental Opera Company stated that if the people
had departed quietly the house could have been
empted in six minutes.
During the inquest which was held at the Central
Police Station crowds Of Poles and Russian He
brews crowded about the front Of the building in
nearly great state of excitement as on the night
the panic The verdict was by no means satisfac-
tory friends and relatives of the victims and
those who escaped from the deadly panic. They
contend that from the greater part OF the testimony
given it apparent that the defective condltion
OF the gas-pipes in the house was much the cause
of the disaster the undue excitement of the peo-
pie and they say the jury should at least have CEN
sured the theatre propretors: w
1t is likely that number OF suits for damages VIII
be docketed against the Maryland Theatre Com
pany. Already lawyers are busy securing the names
Of those who suffered by the disaster ,,,,m,o.aor
Cemetery. some miles out Of the city, AT nldnight
in this section than those of Moses and Katie salz-
berg and Samuel and Rebecca Kramer. These were
disaster.
It was close on to midnight when four clumsy.
rough wagons rolled into the cemetery They
served as combined hearses and carriages. In each
vehicle rested plain pine box, without varnish or
| ornamentaton. Along side Of the wagons was
wooden bench on which sat male relatives 3 ana ana
friends of the respective bereaved families These
acted in the triple capacity of mourners. pail
bearers and grave-diggers
The graveyard was dimy lighted by torches
and lanterns while the four little graves were dug
| close together by men with long whiskers. VINO
| worked with feversh energy. The work was soon
over and with few simple prayers the four bodies
were Inferred After the little boxes had been
covered up, stakes driven into the ground ana
a rope was strung around the graves. on this rope
lanterns suspended to give warning to a
watcher. who ocCu uped an elevated position nearby,
| in case the graves disturbed. The plainnesS
of the funeral the unusual hour of midnight for
deposting the remains in the ground the flare OF the
torches and the geam of the lanterns made scene
| full of weird grews0meness,
The midnight hurias were due 70 the orthodox
| Polish and Russian customs OF never allowing q
| body to remain in the home more rhan twenty-four
| hours after death. 1t is also Russian custom,
| when members of the Russian faith meet violent
dea H. to bury the victims in the clothing in which
they died. as the desire IS 10 bury the blood with
the body. For this reason the four children were
buried in the clothing in which they died