The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-01-03

and beneath 1t swept the flood of flame that carried death to so many hundreds.
 Reflection Still Open.
 The first step toward a definite conciu- sion as to the cause of the fire was made when William McMullen, operator or the spot light placed the blame upon an- other electric light nearby. The task was completed when MT. Fulkerson fol- lowed up a clue furnished by John A. Mazzoni, stage hand, and discovered ths deady reflector still open in the ruins or the theatre.
 The wire used in the aerial ballet, men toned as a possible cause of the curtain s failure to reach the stage, was proven to have been out of the way of the cur tain as it descended.
 On each side of the arch at the the atre was a metallic reflector, concave in form, twenty feet long, and sudden throughout it's entire length with incan- descent lights Normally, these lights fitted into niches in the masonry, but when in use were swung out in order that the lights might be thrown upon the per formers upon the stage. Their greatest width when opened was fourteen inches. When both reiectors were in place, the fire curtain had no impediment in its course, but with either swung outward,
 
 the reflector's top. Carelessness of some employe, whose identity 1t will be the effort of the police to ascertain tomor- row, resulted in the combination of the open reflector and falling curtain which cost approximately six hundred lives.
 Was still In Peace.
 Inspector Fulkerson, taking witnesses with him, at once went to the theatre where he found that although the flames had whipped the asbestos curtain into shreds, the reflector which had blocked it's descent was still in the position stated by Mazzoni.
 This latest announcement, following others equally as positive from inspectors, injured victims. firemen and stage hands, fixing the blame for the great loss of life on other conditions, shows con- fiict of testimony and opinion. particular ly exasperating to the public and city officials who are attempting to fix the responsibility for the disaster.
 No less than three new theories were advanced today, each supported by the positive statement of some person, or persons. present at the time of the fire
 Chicago Bowed in Grief.
 Chicago's head was bowed in grief to- day. Business generally was suspended the banks alone being the only commer- cial centers which for obviouF reasons could not close their doors. The large dry goods houses along State street an- nounced that they would remain open dur ing the earlier portion of the day, In or- der to supply the demand for mourning goods, which has been unprecedented in the history of the city. It was felt by noon that this demand had been fully met, the stores closed for the balance of the day. For an hour at noon, the bells of the city toled a requiem for the dead The idea of an hour of mourning was not generally disseminated, but when at noon the sound of the silver chimes of St. James church in the north side were borne by the wind over the heart of the city. it seemed as though every other church in the city caught from it the inspiration and the bells of each respond ed at once. The churches in the outly- ing portions of the city were last to hear the tolling of those nearer the business center. but they at last followed. Out side of what little business was transact ed down down, the city was given over to funerals. There was not a cemetery .n Chicago which did not see one or more. some of them having as high as score. Extraordinary arrangements have been made for these which are to be held to- morrow, which will be over one hundred in number
 Stood With Barred Heads.
 Two double funerals passed through the downtown streets just as the large merchandise houses were dismissing their employees at noon. The sound of St. James chimes was floating on the air and the people, recognizing the solemnity of the occasion, lined the streets and stood many of them with barred heads, while the funerals passed slowly on. One of these funerals was that of brother and sister. John J. Fitzgibbons, IS years old, and his sister Annie, two years younger. The other was that of two sisters, Mrs. Ella Cantwell and Mrs. P. H. ODonnell.
 A triple funeral was held at noon from 3237 Groveland avenue. from where the remains of Myron A. Decker. his wife and his daughter. Mammie. were taken to Rosehill cemetery. The hole survivor of this family is daughter. years old, 
 (continued on Second Paas)