Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-01-05
Evidence Of Stage Hands.

FROM the stage hands coroner Iraeger
learned the cause Of the mysterious explo-
sion which occurred, shortly after the fire
was discovered. 1t was caused by the fall
Ing of the big fan scene, which contained
eighty incandescent electric lights. This
scene was not in use at the time of the fire,
but was set In the rear of the stage. The
opening Of the double doors in the rear Of
the stage created draft which caused the
big fan scene to topple over ar "reak the
incandescent bulbs. This produced. a noise
like an explosion
The stage hands deny that thea was a
calcium tank on the stage at the time Of
the fire.
Coroner Traeger has learned that each of
the $50 drop scenes in the theater was hung
with new, oily manila rope. 1t is estimated
that there were 5000 lineal feet of this in
fiammable material used in supporting the
drop scenes, and that it added fuel to the
flames in the rigging loft.
Coroner Traeger setn q communicate ton to
Mayor Harrison suggesting that public fu-
neral services be held for the Unidentified
victims The corones letter says:
AT this time, after a careful examina-
ton Of the situation, I am Of the opinion
that the remains Of some OF the victims of
the Iroquois Theater diseaster are disf1g-
ured In manner that Will prevent recog-
milton by relatives and friends and conse-
quently will be left unclaimed.
City to Bury Unknown Dead.
knowing the heartfelt sympathy of the
people of our city and the entire world
toward those who have so suddenly been
bereft cf their loved ones and especially
toward those who may be compelled to bear
the added grief of being unable to recover
the bodies of those dear to them, 1 feel that
it would be fitting to have the city of Chi
cago take charge of the funeral of the I'M
known victims that they may be borne to
their last resting place by the loving hands
of a sympathetic people. With that end in
view l would respectfully request that you
cooperate with me in the appointment of
committee of citizens to take charge of
the funeral arrangements and would sug-
gest that you advise me of your action in
the matter at once
snow storm, which prevailed added to
the solemn1ty. An intense quietness in the
atmosphere ITSELF the absence of all holiday
appearances and the numerous funeral cor
teges as they moved slowly through the
snow storm while the church bells were
slowly tolling combined to make the occa-
sion one as peculiarly cheerless as 1t. was
solemn and impressive.
AS the tones of the city's dlrge rang out
from the scattered towers more persons
paused and listened In sorrow and awe than
on any occasion in the minds of the people.
Many stood with barred heads the
day of the burial Of President Mckinley.
Bodies Claimed by Ghouls for Jewels.
A special to the New York World from
Des Moines Iowa says:
The bodies Of women, victims of the Iro-
quois Theater fire in Chicago, have been
claimed as their wives by ghouls, and car
ried off for the sake of their jewels, their
husbands and relatives being left to search
in vain, according to a statement made by
the Rev. r: L. Marsh of the Congregational
Church in Burlington, who is in Chicago to
aid In search for the bodies of his sster-in-
law, Mrs. A. E. Hull, and her three chill
dren.
He makes the statement in a letter to his
attorney in this city. It was Mr.. Hull who
brought about the arrest of Managers Davis
and Powers. The Hull home is desolate
The Christmas tree still stands the little
ones left it, and playthingS are still scat
tered about the rooms.
To Burn Animals to Death as Test.
A dispatch from st. Petersburg says:
Foreign Minister Lamsdorff, Minister of
the Interior Plehve, NJ. Saenaer and nu-
n.erous representatives of high society have
called on United States Ambassador Nc
Cormick to express condolences on the Chi
cago theater fire.
time ago to investigate the protection Of
theaters against fire met yesterday and de-
cided to undertake a series of expensive ex-
periments. They will build a miniature
theater in which small animals will be
placed, to determine the extent of deaths
due to fire and to asphyxiation.
Inspection of Baltimore Theaters.
Building Inspector Preston has made a
thorough in spection of all the theaters in
Baltimore and has written a formal let
ter to the chief of police instructing that
official to see to it that the doors to GER
tain exits in certain theaters be kept
open and that the laws relating to the
safety of life in places of amusement be
strictly enforced.