The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-01-02
EMPLOYERS AND SINGERS
LOCKED UP At CHICAGO
Persons Who Were in Iroquois
Theater at Time Of Fire Held
as Witnesses.
BONDS PUT AT $1,000
Light Operator McMullen's Story
Manager Davis Questioned
Nervous Chorus Girls.

CHICAGO, Jan. 1.-The police to-day Wig
orously pushed their inquiry into the cause
Of the Iroquois Theater fire and made some
other arrests of stage hands, among them
William McMullen, operator of a light
which, it is said, started the fire. He
was locked up at Central Station, and Will
son Kerr. a lyman at the theater was
also placed in a cell. Archibald Bernard,
chief electrician of the Iroquois Theater,
was closely questioned by the police for
two hours, and then formally charged with
manslaughter.
Fifteen members of the double octet,
which takes part in the song I'm the Pale
Moonlight" have been arrested, Miss Ro-
maine being the only member who has thus
far eluded arrest. The singers are wanted
as witnesses, and there is no charge
against any OF them. Orders were issued
by Chief of Police O'Neil tonight that none
of the fifteen would be released unless a
bond of 5000 was furnished.
MMULLEN'S STORY.
McMullen underwent a searching exami-
nation by Assistant Chief of Police
Schmuettler. McMullen's story was as fol-
lows: II was standing on the iron bridge
at the right side of the stage from which
the 'shotlight' is operated. The lamps
seemed in good condition, but in the middle
of the second act, just as 1 changed from
a white light to a blue one, the arc be-
tween the carbons spluttered and jumped.
A spark struck the frayed edge on the in
side of the border of the curtain drapery.
A flame, which 1 should say was about
twelve inches long. shot up. / abandoned
the lamp and clapped my hand on the
flame, but it spread in spite Of me. /
called TO have the curtain lowered and
yelled to the house fireman to help me.
He came with n patent fire eXtinguisher
which had no effect on the flames. Finally
/ jumped over the bridge to the stage. A
child in one of the boxes had already been
burned. L seized her and carried her out
and then returned to the theater. Here 4
worked, pulling people out of the choked
exits until 1T was useless to stay any
longer"
With the arrest of McMuIlen, the police
believe they have all the important wit
nesses among the theater employees that
are essential to complete inquiry. The
hearing of the employees of the theater and
members of the blue Beard" company
who were arrested last night, was set for
Saturday morning, the charge being man.
slaughter. Bonds were placed at 5000 in
each case. Acting for klaw & Erlanger,
Benjamin Stevens stated in court that if
permission were granted for the removal
of members of the company from Chicago
he would guarantee their return when
wanted for the inquest.
PROMISES OF LAWYERS.
Stevens and Attorney Thomas s. Hogan,
VINO will represent the theatrical people,
promised to lend assistance in providing the
police and the coroner with a list of the
member of the company, and expedite the
questioning of all actors and actresses re-
garding the fire before they left Chicago.
The representatives of KIaw & Erlanger
e. a.. 1o.,~& thak ro0.x. - IL,
theatrical people were destitute and lacking
clothing. They said that these would have
to go 10 their homes in New York and
other cities. The court made no comment
except to intimate that the matter was in
the hands of the coroner and the police.
Five chorus girls, Daisy Beaute, Edith
Williams, Ethel Wynne, Annie Bryant and
a Miss Richardson, were closely questioned
by Chief of Police O'Neill. They were ex-
ceedingly nervous. and twice Miss Williams,
who comes from New York, tainted.
Chief O'Nein to-day sent detectives to
summon Manager Will j. Davis, of the
Il want to question him." Chief O'Neill
said, when asked the reason for the sum
mons. Il am not arresting him. II i
thought that Managers VIII j. Davis or
Harry l.. Powers would leave Chicago
would lock them up Immediately. But they
will remain. Both are citizens of Chicago.
men of good reputation and men with busi-
ness interests. l am only summoning Mr..
Davis now to ask him about the fire in a
general way, and to get his guarantee that
the members of the Moonlight Double Oc-
tette' will not leave Chicago before the in
quest. Otherwise it may be necessary to
take the entire company into custody"
Although members of the "Bluebeard''
company who had been questioned by the
police were allowed to return TO hotels, de-
tectives were sent also. the detectives
were ordered TO make headquarters at the
hotels and watch the members of the COM
pany to see hat none left.
Mr. Davis annaaraH at the OffiCQ Of the
chief Of police, accompanied by his business
partner, Mr.. Harry Powers. The two
! managers talked for some time with Chief
O'Neill, who finally dismissed them, saying
that he himself would be responsible for
then appearance whenever they may be
wanted