The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-01-26
Verdict of the Coroner Who In
vestigated the Iroquois Fire
at Chicago.
WARRANTS GIVEN POLICE
And Orders Issued to at Once
Arrest All the Persons
Named.
SEVERELY BLAMED
For 'Lamentable Lack of Force
and Others Charged with
Gross Neglect.

CHICAGO. Jan. 25.-The coroners jury
which for three weeks has been listening
TO evidence relating 10 the fire in the Iro-
Quois Theater, tonight returned verdict
By which the following persons are held
to await the action of the grand jury:
CARTER Fl. HARRISON. mayor of Chi
cago.
WILLIAM j. DAVIS. proprietor in part,
and manager OF the theater.
GEORGE WILLIAMS. building commits
siODer OF the city.
EDWARD LAUGHLIN. building inspec-
tor under Williams
WILLIAM RI. MUSHAM, fire marshal
WILLIAM sALLERs, fireman in the
theater.
JAMES E. CUMMINGS, stage carpenter.
WILLIAM MMUILEN. who had charge
of the light that caused the fire
II was not generally thought that the
jury would be able to make report so
promptly and when II retired to consider
the evidence Coroner Traeger announced
that he did not expect a verdict before to-
morrow morning. There were over 10000
words of testimony. and each juror would.
according TO the law. be compelled 10 sign
his name to the testimony of each witness,
which meant that each man would be COM
PEELED 10 write his name 572 times. This
work alone the coroner estimated. would
consume five hours. There was, therefore.
considerable surprise when the jury an
nounced shortly before IL o'clock that it had
reached a verdict and was ready to report.
WARRANTS ISSUED.
II was at once decided by the coroner
that all men who should be held by the ver-
dict to the grand jury. should be taken
into custody for the night. He therefore
at once prepared warrants for their ar
rest and called upon the police depart
ment for officers TO serve them Il do not
expect that some of these men who are
likely 70 be held will try to escape" said
the coroner, but some of them who have
not large property interests might take
It into their heads to do l do not in
tend that there shall be any mistakes in
that direction laid to my department If
| cause the arrest OF one of them am
compelled to cause the arrest OF all. and
there will be no favoritism shown, no mat
ter who are the men held by the jury
AZ soon as the finding of the jury was
announced details of officers were at once
sent for the men named I'm the verdict with
orders to bring them in at once. and if they
could net furnish bail they were To be
taken 20 the county Jail for tonight. The
The cause of the fire was drapery coming
into contact with a food or arc light; city
laws were not complied with. relating to
building ordinances. regulating fire alarm
boxes. fire apparatus. damper or hues on
and over the stage, and fly galleries.
Violation OF the ordinance requiring fire
proofing OF scenery and all woodwork on
and about the stage
Asbestos curtain wholly inadequate,
and was entirely destroyed.
Building ordinances violated i'm that aises
were inclosed on each side of the lower
boxes. and absence Of fire apparatus on the
orchestra floor.
Building ordinances violated In that there
was no fire apparatus in the gallery or first
balcony.
INDIVIDUAL CHARGES.
VIII j. Davis was held responsible as
president and general manager. He was
primarily responsible for the observance of
the laws. and was bound 10 see that his en-
ployes were properly instructed as to their
duties in case of fire.
In relation to Mayor Harrison. the verdict
reads as follows:
Eve hold Carter III. Harrison. as mayor
OF the city of Chicago. responsible. he
has shown lamentable lack of force, and
for his efforts to escape responsibility. evil
denced by the testimony OF Building Com
missioner Williams and Fire Marshal
Musham As heads of departments under
the said Carter H. Harrison, following this
weak course. has given Chicago inefficient
service. which makes such calamties the
1rOQuois Theater horror n menace until the
public service is purged of such incOmpe-
tents"
building Commissioner Williams was
held for gross neglect of his duty i'm al
lowing the theater TO open its doors TO the
public when the said theater was incom-
plete. but did not comply with the building
ordinances OF the city of Chicago.
Fire Marshal Musham was held response
BILE "fOr gross neglect of duty I'm not en-
forcing the city ordinances. and failure to
have his subordinate. William Sa1lers. fire
man at the theater. report to him of the
lack OF fire apparatus i'm the theater Sal
lsrs was held for not reporting the lack
of fire apparatus. McMullen for careless
ness In handling the light that caused the
hre, Cummings. as stage carpenter. for not
providing the stage with proper fire pro-
lection.
Late in the night after the members OF
the jury had departed. IL decided by
Coroner Traeger that IL would not be neces-
sarN To arrest Mayor Harrison. Fire Mar
shal Musham and Building Inspector Com
mr. Williams tonight. and no officers were
sent for them. All three of them will be at
their Offices In the city hall tomorrow
morning. and Will then be given a cha nee
to offer bonds for their appearance when
wanted. Mttimusses were made out. how
ever. for the arrest OF the other six men
\ special grand jury will convene next
week 20 open the investigation. and DE-
eide what action shall be taken on the re-
port OF the ccroneT's jury. The charges
as far as the city officials arr concerned
which the grand jury will consider is NAL
feasance in Office. Convictions mean their
removal from Office in addition TO any
other penalty.