davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1922-01-30
RED CROSS FOLK FORM
SERVICE HOSPITALS AID
Rescue Workers Supplied With Va
riouS Comforts at Knicker-
booker Theater.

Shortly after news of the Knicker-
booker Theater disaster reached Off
cials at Walter Reed Hospital the
Red Cross field directors and the as
sistant in charge of home service
were summoned from their homes in
the city to report at once for what
ever duty might be necessary. Miss
Margaret H Lower. field director. and
Thomas Blandford. assistant, started
Immediately for the hospital. but due
to traffic congestion and the shortage
Of transportation got only as far as
the scene of the disaster. NJ. II.
Reckord. assistant director OF camp
service at Red Cross quarters. ac-
companied the Walter Reed workers.
At the scene Of the tragedy there was
much work to be done, and the uni
forms of these workers made 1t pos
sible for them to be Immediately ad-
mitted as rescuers.
H. G. Davis. in charge Of Red Cross
at Naval Hospital. also was summon
ed, and these four people collected
and distributed sweaters. helments,
gloves, socks and cigarettes to am
bulance drivers, policemen, f1remen
and to volunteer rescuers. They also
requested residents to start cali
teen service.
Evening star., 1922-01-30
DIES OF HIS INJURIES,
w. A. Brosseau, Jr., Was studen,
at Georgetown University.

w. A. Brosseau, Jr., Was Student
at Georgetown University.
w. A. Brousseau. jr., who died early
yesterday morning from injuries re-
ceived in the Knickerbocker crash.
is native Of North Adams. Mass.
HIS rather Is the city physician, q
position corresponding to that of
health omcer here. Mr.. Brosseau, who
Is twenty-five years old, was a stu
dent at the School of Foreign Serv-
Ice, Georgetown University, and was
a member of the Knights Of Columbus
and the Kappa Alpha Phi Fraternity.
He lived at the fraternity house, at
1912 18th street northwest
Rrosseau and his friend, William L.
Peters. also a resident at the Kappa
Alpha Phi house. went to the theater
and, according to Peters, were set
tied in their seats when the crash
came. Peters said he threw him self
under q seat and Brosseau tried to
follow his example. but was caught
on the arm OF the chair. Peters said
he prayed for "just one ray Of light"
ana that his prayer was answered
He succeeded In extricating himself
and then went back and to the rescue
Of Brosseau. who. when found. was
severely injured.
The body will remain at the fra
ternity house until midnight, when
it will be taken to North Adams for
burial. The Knights Of Columbus and
the Kappa Alpha Phi Fraternity will
have charge of the body. The fra
ternity yesterday announced that
friends may view the body from
until 10 o'clock tonight.
Evening star., 1922-01-30
COL. ROOSEVELT OFFERS
NAVY YARD EQUIPMENT
Other Officials Communicate With
Detective CornweIl Anxious
to Aid Theater Victims.

Detective Fred M. Cornwell, in
charge at police headquarters. from
midnight until 8 o'clock in the morn
ing, was one of the busiest men in
the police department yesterday. So
busy was he kept answering tele-
phone calls and arranging for as
sistance at the scene of the accident
to leave the telephone long enough
to get a bite to eat. Police officials
on duty at the scene of the accident
were in frequent communication with
him in efforts to get additional as
sistance and to have him transmit
numerous orders to the department..
A number of persons in official life.
among them Col. Theodore Roosevelt,
assistant secretary of the Navy. tele-
phoned offers of assistance, the as
sistant secretary being most persist
and acetylene torches were In great
est demand at the scene Of the acci-
dent.
Col. Roosevelt told the night chief
Of detectives that the department
could have anything tho Navy De-
partment could furnish. Trucks and
sledges were soon on their way to
the scene.
requests from all directions to fur
nish laborers to shovel snow were re-
ceived by the night chief.
swell pay them q dollar an hour"
said the representative Of one big
corporation.
At Union station. where laborers
were in demand, the want was sup
piled by the military authorities, be-
cause OF the urgency to operate mail
trains, and two Of the soldiers were
injured while at work.
Evening star., 1922-01-30
DR.. GEARHART LOSES LEG,
DUE TO THEATER CRASH
Feared His Other Foot Must Be
Amputated-Friend Aids Him
by Blood TRANSMISSION.

DR.. Clyde NJ. Gearhart, one of the
injured victims Of the Knickerbocker
Theater disaster. is at Emergency
Hospital with serious injuries. DR..
Gearhart was seated about In the
middle Of the wrecked theater and
was pinned under the wreckage for
several hours before being rescued
After his removal to the hospital he
was placed on the operating table and
one leg was removed. 1t was feared
today by hospital officials that the
other foot would have to be ampu-
tated on account Of its condition.
Mrs Gearhart, who accompanied DR..
Gearhart to the theater. was killed.
Dr. F. H Edmonds, an optician, gave
q quantity Of his blood for his friend.
DR.. Gearhart, when the operation was
performed on the latter at Emergency
Hospital yesterday, Dr. Edmonds
also is at the hospital He was not in
the wrecked theater. DR.. Gearhart.
whose ofiioe is at 1924 street. is we'll
known in dental circles In Washing
ton as g specialist In treatment OF the
teeth and gums for Riggs disease.
Evening star., 1922-01-30
DEAD VIOLINIST JUST WE'D.
Joseph Wade Bea1 Leaves Bride of
Four Days After Crash.

Joseph Wade Beal, first violinist at
the Knickerbocker Theater, married
Miss Margaret Denham, his boyhood
sweetheart, last Tuesday at the Mount
Pleasant NJ. E. Church. Today the
widow, who was not present at the
sits in gloom, stunned by the loss
that suddenly came upon her.
The young mans father. for ne vas va,
about twenty-five years old, Is zen
Heal. a veteran telegrapher, in charge
of the telegraph staff at the arms con-
ference press room. A desire on his
mart to become a v1olinist was inter-
rupted many years ago with the loss
Of an arm through an accident. When
Joseph Wade Beal was born in Wash
inEton that desire to become pro.
fiofent on the violin was transferred
to his son, who was put to the study
Of that instrument at an early age.
He made rapid strides in his work,
and, after serving in the Navy during
the war, returned to the task OF full
filling his fathers dream.
Evening star., 1922-01-30
MRS. BARCHFELD KILLED,
DauRhter-in-Law Of Dead Ex-Rep-
reseutative Here on q Visit.

MIRA Elmer Barchfeld. daughter-in-
law Of DR.. Andrew jackson Barch-
field, who mot death in the Knicker-
booker disaster. was also killed. Mrs.
Barchfeld, who was here on a visit
from Pittsburgh, had been in Wash
ington about five days and planned on
staying five weeks. She and the for
mer Pennsylvania representative at
tended the theater together. Their
bodies were removed from the wreck
ago about 3 o'clock yesterday morning
to the Christian Science Church, and
were later taken to Hines undertake
ing establishment on 18th street.
where they now remain. It is planned
to take the body Of Mrs. Barchfeld to
Pittburgh tonight
Elmer Barchfeld. an attorney OF
Pittsburgh, is now in Washington.
The dead woman leaves two children.
ages about six and eight years, who
are now in Pittsburgh.
DR., Barchfeld 10 survived by his
widow and son, Elmer, an attorney OF
Pittsburgh. II arrangements can be
completed, 1t 10 planned to take the
body to Pittsburgh tonight, where In
terment will take place.
Evening star., 1922-01-30
THEATER PLANNED .
! TO ALLOW CHANGES
So Constructed That Conver.
sion to Apartment or Busi-
ness Building Possible.

Tho manager Of the Knickerbocker
Theater. Robert Etris, lived IN the
theater building. His apartment was
at the south end. It is stated that he
entered the theater just before the
crash, and for some time II was
thought he had been caught by the
falling roof. 1t appears he turned to
the left and went to his apartment,
which lies in a portion Of the struc-
ture outside the theater proper, and
which was not damaged.
1t is stated that the Knickerbocker
was built with the idea that. IL tho
theater were not succe ssful. the build
ing could be turned into an apart
ment and run up several stories high
er. There was also the possibility
that the building might later be
turned into a combination of shops.
ballroom, summer garden, restaurant.
roof garden, etc.
Plans were drawn. according to neigh
bors who watched the building rise and
who were approached to rent store
space in case the combination amuse-
ment place were decided on, so that
the structure could be turned to any
of the three purposes. The Columbia
road side shows where the apartE>apt
house floors and windows would have
been.
Just behind the stage. located at the
narrow north end of the building, Is
a candy shtop. A corridor-like division.
containing the main entrance and lob
by, connects this shop with the apart
ment portion. occupied by the manager
and the superintendent of the building.
In all these parts the roof stayed and
nothing was displaced to give any clue
to the horrors lying just beyond the
inner doors. The diagram herewith
printed explains the situation in the
building. On the fiat roof was small
er structure of tin and iron. which
added some little weight and which
also gave a chance for the twenty-five
lmile-an-hour wind to exert considerable
measure on the weakening structure
Evening star., 1922-01-30
MAKE FUNERAL PLANS
FOR HOWARD S. KNEESSI
Charles W. Semmes Assists Family
Of Victim of Theater
Disaster.

Arrangements will be completed late
today for the funeral Of Howard G..
Kneessi Of 5501 Colorado avenue. who
was killed and whose wife was injured
in the knickerbocker cave-in.
Charles w. Semmes. president Of the
Semmes Motor Company. Of which Mr..
Kneessi was vice president. treasurer
and active partner, is aiding the FAM
lily to make plans.
Mr.. Kneessi entered into partnership
with Mr.. SemmeS in 1913 and they have
been associated in the automobile busi-
ness since that date. He was only
thirty-four years of age and is survived
by his injured wife. two brothers, q
sister and his mother.
He was a member of the Columbia
Country Club, the City Club. the
Racquet Club and Of the Automotive
Trade Association. He was member
OF the board Of directors Of the Dupont
National Bank and was well known in
local business circles.
Mr.. Kneessi was educated in local
public schools and was q graduate OF
Mckinley High School
Evening star., 1922-01-30
POLICE FORCE THEATERS
TO REMOVE ROOF SNOW
Houses Remain Closed Sunday Un-
til Order Is Com
piled With.

Practically every theater in the city
was open last night, but not before
the captain Of police in whose precinct
the house is located, had given his per-
mission.
Following the order of the Commits
sioners. chasing all theaters until the
snow was removed from the roof, In
spector Sullivan, acting chief Of police.
issued orders TO the captains of the
precincts to see that the order was car
ried out. AS the building inspectors
force was not working yesterday no one
could be secured from that source to
make the inspection, it was stated. SO
the police captains were held reSpon-
sible as to the safety of the theaters.
The captains personally visited each
of the theaterS and saw that the snow
had not only been removed from the
roofs, but from the exits as well, before
they would allow the doors to be opened
to the public.
At the Rialto Theater, where on
Sunday morning, the Burial Sunday
Sunday school meets. Capt. Brown
Of the first precinct refused to alIo,,
the class session to be held yesterday
morning. Laborers had been busy
from daylight in clearing the snow
from the theater roof, but as. it had
Ger declined to allow the session to
be held there. The members, there
upon, met in the church.
Two theaterS, operated for colored
people, were closed yesterday, out of
respect for those who lost their lives
in the knickerbocker Theater disas
ter
The Howard Theater street be-
tween 9Th and 7th streets, of which
]. Thomas is proprietor and manager
and the Republic. U street. near 14th
street, of which Walter Pinchback is
manager. were closed all day yester
day. The managers announced they
would not open the places and placed
signs on the outside stating they
were closed out Of respect for the
dead.
Evening star., 1922-01-30
HERO TO THE LAST.
Scott Montgomery, Dying, Said,
"Help the Women"

Scott Montgomery. chief Of the ao-
counts section, United States Veterans
Bureau. killed in the theater crash. was
a veteran of the world war. III s"t'h
he served as a sergeant In the Medical
Corps. He lived at 1924 Biltmore street.
He was taken from the ruins alive, but
died at the hospital four hours later.
His body was taken to Speare's under
taking establishment, 1908 H street
SerEt Montgomery was hero to the
last. Found by his rescuers pinioned by
a heavy steel girder and almost buried
In a mass Of cement and plaster and
barely alive, he protested that he was
all right and murmured, For Gods
sake, help the womenv he had been
accompanied to the theater by Miss
Veronica Murphy Of 1850 California
street and she was killed by his side.
It was in her behalf that the dying
Funeral services for Miss Murphy w.ll
be held At tho chapel Of Geiers Sons
Co.. Ills tn street.
Evening star., 1922-01-30

Duck" was a warning shouted by
one Of the spectators that saved
many persons who occupied seats in
the balcony at the Knickerbocker
Theater.
II know it saved my life" said Dick
Kracke, fourteen years old. 1917 18th
street. who escaped without scratch.
Dick and three companions, Billy
Pogue of 1920 goth street being one
of them. attended the performance,
where they had balcony seats.
II heard a cracking noise," said
Dick. "Then there was a second SIM
liar noise. and realized something
was wrong"
1t was about this time that the
warning duck" was shouted, Dick
stated, and many persons occupying
Evening star., 1922-01-30
DR.. BARCHFELD SERVED
14 YEARS IN. CONGRESS
Victim Of Knickerbocker Disaster
Also Was Delegate to Brus-
sells Peace Congress.

DR.. Andrew Jackson Barchfeld,
one of the Knickerbocker victims,
served as representative in seven
congresses from the thirty second
Pennsylvania district
He was born in Pittsburgh May IS,
1853, was educated in the public
schools there and received his pro-
fessional degree in 1884 at Jefferson
Medical College. Philadelphia. He
early became prominent in public
lie, serving as a school director and
q councilman for several years.
The former representative was a
delegate to the republican national
convention. in 1885. 1894 and 1900, and
was a member Of the. republican
state committee for many years He
was first elected to Congress- In 1904
and in 1905 was a delegate to the
Brussels peace congress.
Since his retirement from Congress
he had made his home in Washington.
Evening star., 1922-01-30
ANOTHER VlRGlNlAN DEAD.

William Lovick Schoolfield Of Dam
vile, Va, who was killed in the crash.
was the son Of Mrs James E School
field of Danvtlle. Samuel Schoolield, a
brother, wired to relatives in Danville
informing them Of tne positive identi-
fication Of the body. Tho mother.
brother and two sisters of young School
field at present are in this city.
The family Is widely known in the
section of the state In which they live.
the textile town Of Schoolield near
Danville. being named for ono Of its
members. The body will be taken to
Danville for interment
Evening star., 1922-01-30
MISS PRICE G. W. STUDENT
G1eatsr Victim Daughter Of Capt.
Price, Beverly Apartments.

Snss Helen II. Price. eighteen years
~ age. who was killed in the crash,
Wes the daughter Of Capt Price Of
. graduate Of Central High School
and At the time of her death. was
taking course at George Washing
ton University.
she formerly lived In Oakland
Calf, and attended the Technical
High School there. Her body was
taken from the theater to the First
oaDSch Of Christ, Scientist, and was
GRQ Aa0Eided hi hsx faths1.
Evening star., 1922-01-30
WARNING CRY OF ".DUCK' SAVES
MANY IN BALCONY OF 7HEATER

balcony seats fell to the floor. The
crash came about the time they
"ducked," and presently portions of
the roof covered them, the seats hold
ing thte concrete far enough above
them to save them from death.
The dust was sitting. the boy said,
and the place was SO dark that it was
impossible to tell just which way to
make a move. Billy Pogue struck a
match and found an opening in the
covering. The boys and others
climbed through and succeeded in
reaching the badly shattered stair
way.
A man with a broken arm and his
wife Joined the boys. Dick stated,
and the husband called to his wife,
who had assisted him from the build
ing: Honey, get a taxi" She man.
aged to get such a vehicle. and the
couple sped away from the theater.
Evening star., 1922-01-30
MISS VIVIAN OGDEN.

Miss Vivian Ogden, twenty -four
years Of age. Of 1921 Mount Pleasant
street, one Of the victims of the
Knickerbocker was private secretary
to H. H. Shelton. lawyer, Of the Mum
sey building. and was night student
Of George Washington University.
She was q native Of Louisiana, Ark.
and her body will be sent there for
burial Funeral services were held
at Hysong's undertaking chapel 1900
N street, this afternoon.
Evening star., 1922-01-30
FREEMAN SOUTH BEND BOY

g. Sidney Freeman, a violinist In,
the orchestra of the Knickerbocker
Theater. who was killed when the
roof fell. came here from South
Bend, Ind, about a month ago to:
take a position with the Knicker-
booker orchestra.
He lived with his wife at 2409 18th
street The Musicians Union Of the
which win be sent to South Bend
for interment
Evening star., 1922-01-30
CARE FOR ORPHANED BOY.

Mr.. and Mrs. Albert F. Elkins of
1902 Delafield street are taking tenn
porary care Of Oscar Grant Kanston.
the twelve-year- boy whose faith
er, mother and two sisters were kill
ed in the Knickerbocker disaster.
Aulyu Kanston of Louisville, KY, the
boys uncle, will arrive here tomor-
row to take care Of the estate.
o. G. Kanston, ST., was connected
with the Interstate Commerce Com
mission here. The boy will probably
be taken to Chicago. where his
grandfather and grandmother are
living.
Evening star., 1922-01-30
HAD JUST BOUGHT TICKET.
Police sureeon Borden Has Marrow
ESCAPE From Death.

Tho story Of the narrow escape OF
Police Surgeon Borden from death in
the Kickerbocker Theater crash was
related last night by detectives at the
According to one Of the headquar-
ters men, DR.. Borden had Just bought
q ticket for the show when. the crash
came. He was one Of the drst, there
fore, 70 establish q first aid station
IA q nearby. drug store.
Evening star., 1922-01-30
OFFERS TO AID IN HOMES.
Group of Y. w. c. A.. Would Labor
for Theater Victims.

The Christian Social Service Group of
the Young Womens Christian Associa-
ton offers its services in any form to
the homes Of those who suffered injuries
and deaths in the knickerbocker dis
aSter.
The group, it was explained by Mrs
E. r. Brodton the organizer and pres
ent mother of the society, has about
forty-fve girls who will be ready at a
moments notice to render any aid
possible. As the society is at loss to
determine those who need aid. it is
requested that Miss Mary Wright.
chairman, be notified at Main 85S7 or
Mrs, Brodt ton at Franklin 1872.
Evening star., 1922-01-30
CAPT. VANCE PROMINENT.
V3etim Of Knickerbocker Disaster
Well Known in Virginia.

Capt r. Conroy Vance Of Richmond,
vE, who. with his wife, was killed in
tho Knickerbocker Theater disaster,
w1S one Of the most prominent men
dnSthe Fredericksburg section Of Vir-
gi&fa. He was president of the
burg, president of the Fredericksburg g
H1tel Company, president of the
FSrmers' Creamery and owner Of the
M&nsheld Hall herd of Jersey cattle
ard dairy farm near Fredericksburg.
Surviving Capt. and Mrs. Vance are
D son and daughter. both of whom are
attending school. Capt. Vance leaves
O brother in South Africa and sister
fns England. Mrs Vance leaves .
h1Ather In Massachusetts,.
Evening star., 1922-01-30
CARD GAME SAVED LIVES.

II Coroner Nevitt and his wife had
neSp go p'ny M an OK eefoo
the movies they. too. might have
been victims OF the knickerbocksr.
DR.. hewitt, It was learned last
night, suggested a card game In lieu
Of the theater ana while he and his
wife were still playing word came
Of the crash,
Evening star., 1922-01-30
Three SURVIVE VICTIM.
Funeral Arrangements for Miss
Mellan Not Made.

Miss Agnes M. Mellan, nineteen
years Of age. Of 1887 Belmont street,
who was killed at the theater, was the
sister Of Mrs Grace Madert, Mrs. EN-
ma Bensinger and John Mellan.
Her body was taken to Chambers
undertaking establishment but ar
rangements for the funeral have not
been completed.
Evening star., 1922-01-30
WAS NOT AT THEATER.
Miss Eta Underwood Was Wrong.
IL Reported as Injured.

Miss Eta Underwood, listed as one
of the injured at Emergency Hos
pital from the Knickerbocker Thea
ter, was not in the accident at all.
her home. 250e X street. and was
taken to the Emergency Hospital
as q medical patient just about the
time of the accident.
Evening star., 1922-01-30
Frantic Appeals for Relief.

A scramble through the ruins. q
voice heard. q frantic appeal for re-
lief, or q request to notify "home."
The reporter would crouch on hands
and knees. peer down through little
cracks In the concrete and talk with
q man haund hare, &C q WomAA and
The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1922-12-05
(By the Associated Press)


London, Dec. 5.-Autonomous gov
ernment for Ireland today lacked
only the formal assent of King
George to the Irish constitution bill.
The Anglo-Irish treaty expires to-
morrow when the provisional govern
ment will cease to function and the
free state government will officially
take charge. The first meeting Of
the Dailcireann as the lower house
of the Oireachtas, or Irish parlia-
ment, has been fixed for 5 o'clock
Wednesday afternoon.
Meanwhile the dali will sit pri-
vately to choose thirty members of
the seanad eireann or senate. The
choice will be made from about 15U
candidates and the selections will pc
announced tomorrow.
Timothy Healy, who yesterday con-
firmed in an interview his accept.
ance of the governor generalship of
the Irish free state, returned to Dub
lin on the night boat after consulta-
tions at the colonial office which
are understood to have been salts
factory to both parties.
Arrangements for the evacuation
of all British troops remaining in
free state territory are going for
ward, and it is understood that the
last of the military will have left by
December 18.
Although the appointment of the
new governor general of ulster has
not been announced, the report tha;
the Duke Of Abercorn would be the
choice seems likely to prove accur'
ate.
The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1922-12-05
DIRECT VOTE
ON PRESIDENT
IS PROPOSED
Members of Progressive Bloc
Win First Victory in
Congress

Washington, Dec. 5.-Members Of
the new progressive bloc in congress
won their first legislative victory to-
day by obtaining from senate agri-
culture committee favorable report
of a resolution to amend the con-
stitution to provide for direct cleo
tion of the president and vice-presi-
dent.
The amendment would also change
presidential inauguration from March
4 to the third Monday in January
and members of the senate and house
would begin their terms of office the
first Monday in January after the
biennial elections. Congress would
meet, in regular session annually on
the first Monday in January.
The Ashurst resolution on which
the judiciary subcommittee held
hearing, provides that Presidents are
to be inaugurated in January after
their election and that the new con-
gress every two years is to convene
the same month, the present final De-
cember session of congress to De
abolished.
Senator Ashurst appeared to urge
adoption of the amendment he pro-
posed, as did William Lowell Eut-
nam, Boston attorney, on behalf Of
the American Bar Association, when
has endorsed the plan.
Slow transportation and other
reasons for the present constitution.
al plan no longer exist, Senator AS
hurst and Mr.. Putnam said.