The Tabor independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1913-19??, 1915-07-29
SEEK to FIX
full. Blame
FOR HORROR
Investigations Begun to AsGer-
tain Whether Criminal Neg
IigenCe Caused East
land Horror.
BOAT UNSAFE IS CLAIM
Improperly Ballasted and Over
loaded-1,0 600 to 1900 Dead
More Than 500 Bodies
Are Recovered.
BOAT UNSAFE is CLAIM

Chicago, July E6-The total num-
Der OF bodies recovered from the
steamer Eastland was announced
by Coroner Hoffman as $40 at 1
o'clock his afternoon.
His figures show that the total
lumber of lives lost probably may .
reach 1880, as follows:
Number OF bodies recovered, BIO.
Number OF missing reported to
Western Electric company. 270. .
Number OF bodies estimated to
be still in the hull Of the steamer
200.
All but nine of the bodies re-
covered have been identified.
Investigations to determine the
cause Of the accident and punish
the guilty was vigorously pushed
during the day by Coroner Hoff-
man, States Attorney Hoyne n
United States District Attorney
Charles F. Clyne.
After questioning members OF the
Eastland's crew and scores OF eye
witnesses, States Attorney Hoyne
n his assistants expressed the,
opinion that he accident was caused
by the overlooking Of the boa
United States District Attorney
Clyne, after comforting with fed
eral steamboat inspectors said:
when the time comes for us to
talk we will have plenty to say"
Later II was announced 1t would %
take 10 days to raise the vessel and
that work would be begun at once.
Chicago, July 27.-Federal state
authorities this morning took up the
task Of fixing the responsibility for
the overturning of the steamship East
land, at her dock In the Chicago river
last Saturday in which almost 1000 OF
2,40S excursionists aboard were
bers OF the crew was continued with a
view OF learning whether the regula-
tions for the operation Of the vessel
were complied with and evidence
to show whether the Eastland
was properly constructed.
Divers engaged in rescue work re-
ported to Coroner Hoffman today that
they believed there were about zoe
bodies still in the hull of the steamer
Eastland, many Of them in such po-
sition they canno be taken out until
the vessel Is raised.
The work of searching the sub
merged interior Of the boat and drag
g1ng the river for victims progressed
slowly. At noon three additional
bodies had been recovered.
Arrangements were completed for
raising the steamer Immediately n
dynamiting the river bed to release
bodies that may have been stuck in
the mud. The Western Electric COM
today began the preparation of a
list of it's missing employees, and when
this Is completed, 1t will be possible
to make an accurate estimate of the
number of lives lost on the Eastland.
1900 May Be Dead.
At noon Coroner Hoffman reported
that SO bodies had been recovered.
The Western Electric company's list
this is being added to hourly as the
heads Of the various departments re-
Coroner Hoffman believes the total
number Of dead will reach 1900, If the
estimatesof divers or the number Of
bodies still in the boat prove correct
States Attorney Hoyne began the
preparation of evidence for the Cook
grand jury on the theory that
the United States inspection bureau
erred when 1t granted a license to the
boat to engage In the trans-lake bust
ness. Mr.. Hoyne declared that he was
ignoring the question OF the filling OF
that the evidence he had In
already indicated that the East
land was an unsafe vessel regardless of
the diligence OF the crew in complying
with regulations.
Seek To Show Negligence.
Dickerson N. Hoover, acting super
inspector of the United States
inspection service and Capt.
H. Westcott. of Detroit Joined in
Mansfield and Nicholas in the
examination OF the crew OF the East
land to determine whether there had
been negligence in operation and es-
pecially whether the water ballast COM
partments were properly filled at the
the Eastland laid oyer IN her side.
They expect to have this question de-
cided today when every witness held by
he city will be examined. The theory
that there was a sudden shift OF weight
Is not credited by them.
Coroner Hoffman announced that he
will not hold an inquest until the work
Of searching for the e is completed.
This was continued throughout the
night and this morning an additional
Of % divers was sent into the.
null 10 recover bodies believed to be
The number OF bodies cover
so far is $40 and there is a possibility
that almost 200 more are beneath the
Dteamer or in the river.
Will Raise EastIand.
Plans fer determining a way of rails
ng the Eastland will be mad today at
4 conference which was attended by
Mayor Moorehouse, States At
torney Hoyne, Chief of Police Healey
Coroner Hoffman.
Immediately after the conference at
Investigation also will be made
Coroner Hoffman says he will again
call together the jury which was m
Saturday and a trip to the
will be made. The Jurors viii
make a thorough inspection and then
Indefinitely.
II believe that there are a number OF
sttN in the water held down by
wreCkage or the weight of the O a
lnd hat 1t will be impossible to re-
these until the Eastland is raised"
he coroner declared.
An effort will be made to complete
Identification of bodies at the Sec
regiment armory today. Only ID OF
72S cared for there were unidenti-
led this morning. Early estimates OF
loss are being constantly lowered
there Is only speculation to indicate
number still in the "egsel or in the
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