Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1904-01-05
FIXING BLAME
FOR IH[A1[R FIRE
New and Important Evidence
Showing Criminal Neglect
on Part of Managers.
KNEW CURTAIN WAS DEFECTIVE
Joseph a. Dausherty Says Attempt to
Lower Curtain at Previous Fire Was
Failure-AII Arrangements for Con-
Quoting the Inquest Have Been Conn
pIeted.

Chicago, Jan. 5.-Arra ngements for
an inquest over the bodies of victims
of the Iroquois fire were completed
by Coroner Trager today. Everything
is now in readiness for examination of
witnesses when the inquiry begins
Thursday. One hundred and forty OF
them have been summoned, among
them being Will j. Davis, and Harry j.
Powers, managers Of the Iroquois.
States Attorney Deneen announced to-
day that no special grand jury would
be called to investigate the theater
fire, as he believes the coroner's jury
will undoubtedly fix all responsible
ity.' Two important witnesses were
discovered today in the. persons OF
Charles +. koester and Henry Zander.
real estate dealers. They were passing
the Iroquois when the fire broke out
and declare that the doors were kept
closed by the ushers and attendants in
the lobby for nearly five minutes after
the fire was discovered on the stage.
Foreman Jones. of the Fuller Con-
struction Company, who Is said by Wit
posses to have smashed in the skyli8ht
of the theater after the fire. has been
found. He was examined today in con-
nection with the allegation that an
attempt was made to destroy evidence. :
Joseph A. Daugherty, who tried to
lower the asbestos curtain on the fatal
day, provided Attorney Fulkerson. OF /
the fire department, with a new theory
of the curtains failure to work.
Daugherty declared that during mat
inee performance two weeks ago. fire
broke out on the Iroquois stage. but
was extinguished on that occasion.
Daughterty gals an stternpt lower
3t.ae fire curtain resulted S.rik-
ing plank. used as q plaLIOrm ~
which to operate the spot light.
Daugherty declared the belief that thDs
descending curtain struck the plank on
the day OF the catastrophe, just as u
did few days before.
DauRherty declares he protested at
the time of the first fire, but no atten-
tion was paid to his warning. In hls
opinion, IL the curtain had been run
down during the fatal matinee, the
lives OF many. If not all. Of the victims
OF the disaster might have been saved.
1t was only by merest chance panic
was averted as result OF the nrst
fire. Daugherty's statement was made
under oath. Speaking of the skyitgnt
on the day Of the first fire. Daugherty
declared the skylights above the stage
were closed, as We're the ventilators
between the skylights. The latter We're
designed to create an upward draugnt
in case of fire, The ventilatorS were OPS
Grated by lever, but Daugherty de-
ciared no attempt was made to open
them last Wednesday. The venttlators
were in perfect condition, he said, and
had been operated q number OF times
lately.
Attorney Fulkerson said the rumor OF
a previous fire at the theater had been
several days ago. but az
it had been denied by most of the
authorities. including VIII ]. Davis, he
had been compelled to believe the re-
port had no proper basis.
City Building Commissioner Will
uams was given information today by
Architect Marshall which may place
the blame for the Iroquois theater be-
ing thrown into darkness during the
panic. The architect showed the conn
missioner there wa6 an emergency
switch near the entrance to the house.
to be used in emergencies. There was
a separate system Of wires and had any
employe had the Nesence Of mind 10
turn the switch the entrance and hail
ways would have been Illuminated.
Alandel Hall at the University Of
Chicago was closed today. The spe.
cific cause is lack Of the Iashestos cur