The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-01-10
SINISTER FATE HUNG
OVER mr.. BLUEBEARD"
Two Distinct Warnings
Preceded Final Disaster.
TESTIMONY BEFORE JURORS
Alice Kilroy Describes Crush in Which
Many Lives Were Lost in
the Iroquois.
TESTIMONY BEFORE JURORS

CHICAGO, Jan. 9.-The further in
vestigation goes into the Iroquois
Theater disaster. the more positive
grows the impression that a sinister fate
hung over the "Mr. Bluebeard" produc-
tion from the beginning of its American
tour. and that the Iroquois Theater.
with its lack of fire protection. became
the scene of it's final destruction.
According 70 the testimony on record.
there we're two distinct warnings of the
danger Of fire in the production of the
spectacular show.
Fire in Cleveland.
Members of the double octet. in the
moonlight scene, again told the cor
oner's jury of the Cleveland fire. which
burned the big fans used as part
of the scenery In the second act.
According to the testimony heard to-
day there was a fire or explosion under
the stage Of the Iroquois Theater on the
opening night. John Bickles. a carpen-
ter, working at that time for the George
A Fuller Company swore that the night
the new playhouse was thrown open to
the public there was a report or explo-
sion. and flames shot about the parti-
tions beneath the stage.
1WO OlSIlnCC w warnings
In the light of this evidence the record
Of testimony taken TO date shows that
there were two previous direct warnings
to the management before the catas-
trophe that caused the death of nearly
six hundred persons Joseph Dougherty,
curtain manager, during the fi-e depart
ment investigation. declared under oath
that there was a fire on the stage
week before the holocaust
Most Of the testimony today was
graphic and thrilling. but added little
10 the information OF the jurors tending
TO place responsibility. Nothing has
been heard In the inquest room which
for thrilling interest equals the testi-
mony OF Alice Kilroy. 1t threw little
light upon the conditions in the theater
but il told of fearful proximity to death.
Describes the Horror.
Miss Kilroy. with her sister. was in
the second balcony. She pushed through
one Of the north top exits. but the heat
from below was so intense that she
could not descend. With her sister she
started back into the balcony. There
was a great crush and she could not
move.
Then" said she. in the absolute quiet
Of the council chamber. "the resistance
gave way and It was quiet"
Everyone who heard the voice of the
witness knew that what she had de-
scribed was death.
Across Plank Bridge.
Miss Knroy then told OF how she was
taken from her perilous position by
means Of the plank bridge across the
alley from the Northwestern School OF
Pharmacy.
Afterward more than 100 dead bodies
were drawn across the bridge by means
OF ropes, and the firernen came to call
il the dead slide
The aldermanic committee engaged In
revision Of the theatre building ordi-
nances decided late this afternoon TO
require all theaters 70 be equipped with
double sprinkler system. both auto
matte sprinklers and standpipes with
hose being I'm order. The hose will be
necessary 10 quench incipient fires.
while the automatic sprinklers. it was
decided. would be invaluable in case the
fire got by the stage hands.