The Irish standard., 1907-03-09
Davis JURY HEARS
OF THGATER HORROR
STATES CHARGES IN iROQUoIS
DISASTER OUTLINED AT
DANVILLE TRIAL.
DAVIS, AS MANAGER,
HELD RESPONSIBLE
Defense Attacks Validity Of Chicago
Ordinance Said to Have Been Vio-
iated-Mothcr of One of Fire Vic.
Tins on Stand.

Danville, ILL.,, March T.--Opcnine
statements were made "Wednesday to
tho jury in the trial Of Will J. Davis,
charged with manslaughtcr as tho re-
suit OF the Iroquois theater fire at Chi
cago. Special Counsel George 4.
buckingham represented the state. He
said tho state would show that the
Iroquois theater was incomplete when
it opened and it had not been finished
at the timo OF the fire. Tho prosccu-
tion expects to prove, he said that Mr..
Davis knowingly violated the ordi-
nances OF Chicago relating to safety in
public playhouses. The defense re-
served It's statement until tho prosecu-
ton finished its evidence.
Word Picture of the Disaster.
Mr.. Buckingham gave the jury a
vivid picture of tho Iroquois thcater
and detailed at length its arrange.
ments for the comfort of the public.
Ho told of the marble stairways ON
which so many persons lost their lives
at the time of tho tragedy; the grand
entrance, the marble pillars and the
foyers. He took his listeners to the
balcony and the galleries and ex-
planned the wonders of tho playhouse.
which. he declared, was the most mag
nificent in tho world.
But 1t was incomplete" added tho
attorney. Safety devices were not in
stalled. There was a. Woeful lack OF
precautions to avoid loss OF life. and
as result Of this lack we believe we
can convict William j. Davis OF fn'
voluntary manslaughtcr as being the
person who should have seen that
they were installed when tho play
house opened its doors to the public"
The attorney told Of the formation
OF the Iroquois Theater company and
gave tho names of it's officers and di,
rectors. Reading from a copy OF tho
original indictment he pointed out the
alleged violations OF the ordinances.
which mako certain requirements for
buildings Of class s, and stated at
length what tho state will try to prove
was remiss in the construction Of the
house and how Mr.. Davis as manager
was responsible.
Defense Attacks Ordinance.
The first witness called was Mrs
Jackson, mother of Viva Jackson
whose death is the one specified In the
indictment against Davis. She had
not proceeded very far in her testi'
mony when the defense made mo-
ton which strikes at the very heart
of tho case. The defense moved that
tho prosecution be required, first OF
oil, to introduce tho Chicago ordinance,
which, it is claimed, Davis violated. as
it is intended to attack the validity Of
that ordinance, the theory being that
should the court hold tho ordinance
invalid there was no law for Davis Ia
would fall to pieces. Tho court set
Friday morning as the time for hear
ing argument ON this point III the
afternoon arguments were made on
the right Of the defense to admit the
death of Viva Jackson in tho fire, the
defense boing willing to admit it.
With startling rapidity, the jury was
completed Tuesday night, after it had
taken more than six hours to select
the ninth man. Two days were con
sumed in selecting the II men who
will return the verdict that thousands
in Chicago have been waiting three
years to hear. 1t Will probably be a
long trial. for both sides arc prepared
TO contest vigorously every issue
raised.
Attorney w. j. Calhoun, who has
just recovered from illness, arrived
from New York Tuesday night and has
Joined the forces of the defense. Cal
houn is held in high esteem by the res
idents OF Danvillc, whcro he formerly
resided. Because OF his standing and
knowledge of law Davis counsel con
siders him an important factor in the
| cause of tho defense.
To Consolidate Commissions.
Albany, N. ", March 7.--SenatOr
Page and Assemblyman Merritt Wed
| nesday introduced in tho senate
owl bnuoo rncpocIiyo1v ., l>;jJ ,.,,I,