The Oskaloosa herald., 1915-08-12
JURY BLANEs SIX
FOR BOAT PLUNGE.
EastIand Owners and Officers
Named.
JAIL AND FINE PENALTY
Death Ship May Be Raised Today
Water Is Being Pumped From
Craft and More Bodies Are .
Expected to Be Recovered.

Chicago, Aug. 11.-Six persons were
named in three true bills voted by the
state grand jury in the investigation
of the Eastland diEaster One is a.
joint instrument against four officials
of the st. Joseph Chicago Steamship
company, owners OF the vessel, and
two officers of the ship are named
separately Unless the grand jurors
reconsider their action, the true bills
will be returned before Chief Justice
Kersten of the criminal court tomor-
row.
Manslaughter Is Charged.
The true bills against the owners
charges granddaughter and that against
the two officers alleges criminal care
lessness. ,...... ....
The men named are:
George F. Arnold, president of the
St. Joseph Chicago Steamship COM
pany. ....-- ..
William H. Hull, vice-president and
general manager.
. w. c. Steele, secretary-treasurer.
Ray w. Davis, assistant secretary
treasurer. t.r 49,.
Harry Petersen, captain of the YES
sell ......-sA
Joseph NJ. Erickson, engineer of the
ship.
That the grand Jurors had voted
the true bills was learned from the
states attorneys Office, where Assist
ant States Attorneys Edwin j. Raber
and Charles Schwartz were engaged
in drawing up the documents prepare
tory to presenting them in court.
Inspectors Are Indicted.
States Attorney Hoyne conferred
with his assistants. John F. Higgins,
who has been in charge of the presen-
tation OF evidence before the grand
jury; Michael F. Sullivan, Mr.. Raber
and Mr.. Schwartz, and it was an
nounced that indictments had not
been voted against the federal
steamboat inspectors. 1t had been
decided, it was said, that the
state had not the necessary jurisdic.
ton to cause the indictment of the in
spectors, inasmuch as they have been
engaged in the performance of their
duties under the federal laws and
regulations; If they have been guilty
OF any infraCtion Of law, the federal
government, not the state, must deal
with them.
Greehebaum Not Included.
The true bills voted included no Of
fetal of the Indiana Transportation
company lessee of the vessel, although
w. K. Greehebaum, general manager
of the company, was one Of the men
ordered Leld to the grand jury by the
coroners Jury and has been at liberty
on bonds of $4,000. a..
The grand Jurors adjourned, fol-
lowing the voting of the true bills, but
may consider the possibility OF voting
additional true bills. In this connec-
ton 1t Is said the grand Jurors will
consider whether or not to name the
government checkers who were aboard
the Eastland.
VIII Make Recommendations.
With the return of indictments be-
fore Chief Justice Kersten today the
grand Jurors are expected to submit
report with recommendations concern
ing the loading of steamers and their
operation. .,.
States Attorney Hoyne declared
that he had positive evidence that
the Eastland was overcrowded. e..
Punishment for Crimes.
The charge OF manslaughter, as eon-
tanned in the true bills against the
steamboat company officials. carries
with 1t punishment, provided by stat
ute, of Imprisonment of from one year
to life. The penalty for criminal care
lessness, in the event of conviction
also provided by law, is imprisonment
not to exceed three years or. a fine
not to exceed $4,000.
Ready TO Care for Dead.
With three pumps placed in stern,
center and aft of the Eastland, one
of which was connected with the en-
gines Of the tug Michigan, all prepare
lions for forcing the water out of the
hulk were practically finished. The
pumping out of the water will require
only few hours, 1t is believed, and
will Immediately preeede the work Of
raising the boat.
In anticipation of the recovery of
bodies when the steamer is raised
Coroner Hoffman and Deputy Commits
sioner of Public Works William Burk.
hardt have made arrangements for
barge and collins to take care of them
and issued a notice 10 relatives and
friends of the missing to go to Wells
street bridge today, where the barge
will be tied up, to give opportunity to
identify the bodies.