The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-04-30
Responsibility Divided Between
Owner and Tenant.
STARTED FROM STOVE.
Gas Range Near WainscOting
Cause of Blaze.
Legislature Blamed for Not
Passing Appropriate Law.

At 11:30 o'clock today the coroner's
jury empaneled to investigate the cause
of the Central hotel disaster returned
a verdict to the effect that although
the owner of the property and the pro-
prletor of the hotel were in measure
responsible for the accident, by reason
of their failure to provide exits and fire
escapes. the laws and ordinances were
such that they could not be made de-
PENDANTS in criminal case. A round
about consideration of the death of
Erickson entered into the deliberations
of the jury, but was not mentioned in
the verdict. 1t was in regard to the
death of Erickson that the coroner
asked for d verdict concerning the
reputation of the place. on the theory
that Erickson might have escaped had
he not feared being seen in company
with the Rost girl.
The jury in it's verdict also con-
demned the failure of the last legis-
lature to enact laws which would be a
guide to juries in fixing the blame for
cases of this sort.
This is the verdict as delivered to
the coroner shortly before noon today:
I'VE, the jury. find, That the cause
of the fire was from the large gas
range in the kitchen at the rear of the
building numbered 52S Kansas avenue.
which range was located only ten
inches from the wainscotted wall, con-
nected with a frame gallery about five
feet above the top of the range with in
f1amable window castings from wains-
coting to floor of the gallery.
I'VE find that the fire department
rendered efficient service at this f1re
and can in no way be criticized or
blamed for the loss of property or life
I'VE find from the evidence that NJ.
Snattinger, the owner of the building,
is in a measure responsible for this
fire and its results from the fact that
he did not use what seems to the jury
to be due diligence in being in touch
with the condition of the building as
to the arrangements of the rooms,
halls windows. ventiiators and neat
ing methods, he leaving those matters
entirely with the various tenants to ar
range as they saw fit. he knowing all
the time that the building was being
used constantly as hotel or pubic
place
And we frd from the evidence that
Frank A. Campbell, the tenant or lessee.
is in a greater measure responsible Tor
the following reasons: That the cause
OF the fire was from the large gas
range that was situated as stated
above, which on several occasions re-
Gently would have started fire had
not the kitchen help thrown on water.
ALSO in the dangerous practices OF
The use of small heaters in the house
connected with the gas pipes by rub
Der hose, and the use of wire glass
window impossible to open and use as
a means of escape.
"Blind rooms without opening for
ventilation except door and transom,
five rooms and lavatory opening into a
SO inch wide hall with window at rear
end boarded up.
"And we, the jurors, further find that
en- account of the lack of proper laws or
ordinances the people of Topeka are
powerless to act, and for the further
reason on account of the failure of the
last legislature to enact proper laws
covering cases of this kind. (Signed)
CAL BREWER.
H C. BOWMAN.
M f. SOUTHWICK.
wv. A. NEISWANGER.
&c. w. THOMPSON.
&C. 0. KNOWLES"
Vc