The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1906-01-14

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 Tx
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 standplpes 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 fremen 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, 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 tie hotel year
ago assuring him that there would be
someone on each floor constantly, day
and night. Fire Marshal Ringer viii
year ago when he suggested to the man
agement that more fre-escapes be placed
on the building. His suggestion was
ignored.
The wood used in the elevator shaft
will be another strong point. Testimony
will be introduced to show that there
was enough wood to carry the fire from
one floor to another, no matter where
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 some
good evidence.
.- Survivors Improve.
The condition Of the survivors of tn
fire is good. Miss Mary Rowan is still
confined to her bed at the city hospital
and Mrs. B. D. Barlow is improvin,
slowly at st. Barnabas hospital Gordo1
Sapp, also at the st. Barnabas hospital
is improving. B. W. Swisky at tn
Swedish hospital is reported better Al
Of the injured are said to be out Of dan
ger and will recover without being dis
figured, altho some Of them were pain
fully burned. =
The funeral Of J. f. Wolfe, who wa
suffocated and burned will take plac
today. from the Johnson-Landis under
taking rooms, Sc Seventh street S, a
2:3O pm: The services will be unde
the direction Of B mai Birth lodge. II
torment will be in Montefore cemeter,
The brother and sister of Willia1
Block took the remains of their brothe
to. New York last evening, and th
funeral services will be in that city, .
The funeral Of George w. Nichol
will take place from the residence {
Thomas Taylor, 3343 Ninth avenue
Monday at 2:3O pm. The funeral wi
be private.
No arrangements have yet been mac
for the funeral of w. s. Amsden. WI
died yesterday at the city hospital. II
brother will arrive in MINNEAPOLIS toda
with the remains Of his mother. WI
died the day Mr.. Amsden was burne
A double funeral probably will be a
ranged