Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1915-07-29
EXPECT VERDICT
ON THE EASTLAND
DISASTER TODAY
Expected That Several 1ndict-
ments Will Be Returned by
Grand Jury.
IDENTIFIED VICTIMS
NOW NUMBER 829
JURY FIXES BLAME.

BulIetin-Chicago, 1880 a. M,
July 29.-The coroner's jury re-
turned verdict placing the blame
for the loss OF hundreds of lives
in the Eastland disaster on the
following men:
William II. Hull, general mana
ger Of Chicago, st. Joseph Steam
ship line, owner of the Eastland;
Capt. Harry Pedersen Of the East
land; J. N. Erickson, engineer;
Robert Reid, federal inspector,
who gave the EastIand license to
carry $500; j. c. EckIiwas, fed
erai inspector Of steamships, and
w. J. Greenbraum, general mana
ger Of the Indiana Transportation
company, Lessee Of the EastIand.
They severely recommended
that these men be held to a grand
jury for nnansIaughter.
The jusy found that the passcn.
gers were not in any way to blame
for the disaster.
Chicago, July 2S.-With verdict
all but formulated, according to the
foreman, DR.. w. A. Evans, the coro
ner's jury investigating the death OF
a thousand or more excursionists by
the capsizing of the steamer, East
land, in the Chicago river Saturday
called in Secretary Redfield, Inspec
tor Uhler of the steamship boat in
spectiOn service, and A. l.. Thurman
special solicitor for the department
Of commerce at Washington, for a
private conference.
After these federal officers had been
closeted with the jurors for more
t.lan two hours, the examination OF
witnesses was resumed. Secretary
kedfield said he could not talk OF
what he told the coroner's jury. He
said that Coroner Peter Hoffman and
Jurors asked him and Mr.. Thurman
and Mr.. Uhler questions regarding
the usual procedure Of inspection OF
AXE steamers and of the duties of
federal officers connected with the
granting of licenses to the Eastland
10 carry passengers. t.
Stability Inspection.
1T was suggested and considered
there should not be some
aw regulating the inspection Of
steamboats, as to stability" said Mr..
Thurman. 1T was pointed out to the
Jurors that no laws have yet been
passed providing for that, and that
here is no appropriation at hand to
urnish force to make such an in
,pection."
Awaiting the finding of the coro-
ler's jury tie county grand jury ad-
ourned until tomorrow, without re-
llrning any indictment. 1t had been
lrranged for the grand jury to finish
is investigation tonight and draw up
m indictment charging half dozen
persons with blame for the upsetting
# the Eastland, but as the coroners
inquest dragged into a night session,
his plan was abandoned.
Crew Testif;es.
Adozen members of the Eastland's
rev testified before t.1e grand jury,
,ut added nothing, it is said. to evi.
lence adduced by Coroner Hoffman.
Investigation by federal grand
ury and by the steamboat inspection
ervice will start tomorrow.
Funerals of some 200 victims of the
Castland catastrophe were held today
While the whole city was in mourning
lnder an official proclamation by
dayor Thompson, who returned from
Jan Francisco and took charge Of the
elief work.
Only few more bodies we're re-
covered today. The identified victims
otal S29, and missing, about 300.