Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-06-08

~ UNE y. 1898, was lnOccO d SdO Oay III
Washington, for at $50 O'Clock in
the morning of that day the lives of
score of Federal employees OF the
Record and Pension Office of the War
~ Department were snuffed out without
a moments warning and ever so many more
injured some permanently crippled for life and
others died later. 1t was the second disaster
in which the old Ford Theater Building has
figured-the first when Abraham Lincoln was
assassinated and the other just 81 years ago
tomorrow. The latter was directly caused by
repairs being made at the time.
There many families in washington
which particularly for personal reasons, will
never forget this fatal June day when father
or brother or husband, as the case may be, left
home that morning full of life and vigor, and
with everything to be happy for-never to re-
turn. Never again to see the dear ones at
home never more affectionately to embrace
those whom life held most dear to them. IT'S
sad even to recall this appalling disaster, and
vet of the many who drank that day Of hfe's
bitter cup it may well be said: Memory IS
the only friend that grief can call its own"
How well the writer remembers this disaster.
It seems but yesterday. The students OF the
National University Law School had just re-
ceived their diplomas at the Academy OF Music
three days before, where the address was de-
livered to the graduates by Benjamin Butter
worth of Ohio, and where the music was fur
nished for the occasion by the Marine Band
under the direction of F. Fanciulli, who sue
ceeded John Philip Sousa. Three OF our boys
went down with the crash. A. L. Ames OF
Iowa, the first the list to receive his diploma.
died soon after the collapse The writer saw
his body at the undertakers and there met his
son. young man of about 10, for Ames was
one of the older members Of the class.
Quiet, painstaking dignifed, he was liked by
all and his death proved shock to those who
had met nightly with him in class for two
years. preparing for a greater LIES work. They
took him back to his home in Iowa, and buried
him among his people.
Charles F. Hathaway a prince Of fellow
and president of the class, was severely hurt
and was long time recouperating, though he
never thereafter seemed to be fully restored
to health.
U1HEN it occurred to the writer, few months
Nv ago, to tell the readers Of The Star some
thing of this awful disaster, he had his old
classmates foremost in mind, and just about
this time happened strange freak Of tele-
pathy, for he received beautiful letter from
one Of the boys who received his diploma at
the Academy of Music in 1898 and who few
days later found himself being rescued by fire.
men from the ruins Of the old Fords Theater
Building He had not seen or heard from this
fellow student since leaving school. 1t was
strange that he should think Of me. particu-
larry at this time, when my mind was on the
catastrophe in which he acted q part and
stranger STILL as you shall see, for 1t was almost
Here is his letter:
1925 Oak st. NV,
Washington, D. c.,
February TO- 1890.
my Dear Mr.. Proctor:
"I have too long delayed to write you con-
CALCULATIONS of your articles in The Star. I
clip and save them all
MY work in the War Department relates
very largely to Army history, and find your
researches of value to me-
VOnr article m N
February 9, wherein you set forth in detail
the Presidents connection with the case of Will
liam Scott, sentenced by general court-mar-
tial to be shot for sleeping on post, is of much
interest to me because, in my work, have had
occasion to answer inquiries on the subject in
the last several years.
1.-The official records, Of course, afford no
such details, and it is my purpose to file your
article with the Scott case, so that these de-
tails shall be preserved among the official
records.
Possibly you will recall me when say that
! was a member of the class of the National
Law School that graduated at the Lincoln
Academy in 1898, Of which you were men,
Der, the picture of which class you put in The
Star several months ago. My recollections Of
you are very pleasant.
Very truly yours,
"R. c. EDMONDSON"
Knowing, as stated, that Mr.. Edmondson was
in the Ford's Theater disaster, the thought
occurred that this was an ideal time to get his
version of just what happened on that occa-
sion, and so, in thanking him for his kind in
terest and generous praise, he asked to tell
for publication what he remembered Of this
most unfortunate affair. . .,,-...