The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1906-01-14
WEST HOTEL INQUEST
WILL OPEN TOMORROW
STARTLING EVIDENCE MAY BE
GIVEN TO THE JURY.
Showing of Alleged Neglect, It Is Said,
Will Be Presented by Fire Marshal
Ringer and Building Inspector Hough-
ton-County Attorney Al J. Smith
Has Some Evidence.

Some startling testimony is expected
at the coroner's inquest tomorrow morn
ing, when the jury will endeavor to fix
the responsibility for the West hotel
fire of Wednesday, which caused the
death of ten persons.
Notwithstanding that several Of the
hotel employees have stated that there
was water in the house standpipes and
that water was thrown from them on
the fire several witnesses will testify to
the contrary. Fire Marshal Charles
Ringer and several of the firemen who
were the first on the scene will swear
that there was no water in the pipes and
that they tried for several minutes to
get a stream into the hose. The hotel
employees say that the water was turned
on, but that it was used before the de-
partment arrived. Employees Of the
city water department will show that
the hotel standpipes are connected with
the regular city mains and that all the
water supply could not have been ex.
hausted, as there was an unlimited sup,
ply. The fire was extinguished by the
department with water from the same
mains.
Promised Watchmen.
Building Inspector James G.. Hough
ton will testify in regard to the fire
escapes and an alleged statement made
by the proprietors of the hotel a yea1
ago assuring him that there would be
and night. Fire Marshal Ringer vii
also relate an alleged conversation ;
year ago when he suggested to the man
mi hn ava L L..
on the building. His suggestion wal
ignored.
M The wood used in the elevator shat
will be another strong point. Testimony
will be introduced to show that Their,
was enough wood to carry the fire from
one floor to another, no matter wher,
1t started. The inquest may last thru
the entire day, as County Attorney A
j. Smith has also conducted an investi
cation and promises to produce som
good evidence.
.. Survivors Improve.
The condition Of the survivors of tn
fire is good. Miss Mary Rowan is sti
confined to her bed at the city hospita
and Mrs. B. D. Barlow is improvin
slowly at st. Barnabas hospital. Gordo
Sapp, also at the st. Barnabas hospita
is improving. B. W. Swislzy at tn
Swedish hospital is reported better. A.
OF the injured are said to be out Of dar
ger and will recover without being dis
figured, altho some Of them were pail
fully burned. *
The funeral Of J. E. Wolfe, who we
suffocated and burned will take plae
today from the Johnson-Landis unde
taking rooms, Sc Seventh street S,
2:3O pm. The services will be und
the direction Of B mai Birth lodge. I
torment will be in Montefore cemeter
The brother and sister of Villa
Block took the remains of their broth
to, New York last evening, and Il
funeral services will be in that CITY.
The funeral OF George w. Nicho]
will take place from the residence
Thomas Taylor, 3343 Ninth avenue
Monday at 2:3O pm. The funeral W
be private.
No arrangements have yet been ma
for the funeral of w. S. Amsden. W
died yesterday at the city hospital. T
brother will arrive in MINNEAPOLIS tod
with the remains Of his mother. W
died the day Mr.. Amsden was burne
A double funeral probably will be
ranged.