Evening Republican, Volume 19, Number 176, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 27 July 1915 — Starting Investigation Of the Steamer Eastland. [ARTICLE]

Starting Investigation Of the Steamer Eastland.

A coroner’s jury started an inquest today of the sinking of the steamer Eastland. The jury will be assisted by federal and state departments. One new point has been brought forth, which, if it proved true, will have a good deal of weight. It is said that detectives have seized tickets from passengers which prove that the ship had more passengers that was allowed. The ship was allowed under the ruling 2,500 passengers. It is said the tickets numbered 2,550 and these did not include the musicians and children, which would probably bring the total up to 2,800 or more. The lessees of the ship asserted that 2,480 passenger tickets had been collected. Up to the present time 826 bodies have been identified. Probably from 200 to 500 bodies are dead under the ship. Expert engineers say the ship cannot be raised for from 10 to 30 days. A relief fund of $200,000 has been raised in Chicago for the sufferers from the disaster. The Western Electric company, which was giving the excursion, will add SIOO,OOO to this. Pictures of the great Eastland disaster are being shown in Indianapolis and other large cities all this week. In all probability the picture will be in this city soon. Mr. and Mrs. J. F. Merschrod and family returned to their home in Wheeler yesterday after visiting with their son, George, at Newland. The Chesterton team won a 14-inn-ing game from Lowell Sunday 1 to 0. Edmonds, pitching for Chesterton, allowed two hits in the 14 innings and struck out 25 men.