People's Pilot, Volume 2, Number 52, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 16 June 1893 — AN EXCITING SCENE. [ARTICLE]

AN EXCITING SCENE.

©oL A in* worth Threatened with Violence During the I‘rogrew of the Inquiry Into the Ford Theater Horror. Washington, June 13.—At Monday’s session of the Ford theater inquest a well-dressed man walked forward and in a voice trembling with passion, shaking his fist jn Col. Ainsworth’s face, shouted: “You’ve murdered my brother, and you shan’t sit there intimidating these witnesses.” The man was Charles Banes, whose brother was a victim of the disaster. After the uproar thus occasioned had quieted, Mr. Davis, representing CoL Ainsworth, started to speak, when a dozen excited department clerks rose to their feet and shouted for him to sit down. The lieutenant of police present endeavored to quiet the outbreak, but his voice was as ineffectual as it would have been in a cyclone. The excitement grew in intensity. Nearly every clerk present who was employed in the old theater building was on his feet shouting. At first they only called “Sit down,” “Shut your mouth.” But finally some frenzied individual cried: “Hang him; hang him!” Men were springing forward by this time aM many spectators present sought cover. During the excitement Juror B. H. Warner, a wealthy citizen, suggested to the coroner that the episode that had just occurred showed the existence of a feeling that would best be silenced by the withdrawal of the party against whom it was directed. He continued: “I mention no names, but simply make the suggestion that the partv most concerned should withdraw. There is a belief among many of those here that his presence serves as an intimidation to witnesses. There is a feeling here which does not break out, but which is nevertheless present, that intimidation is being carried on, and I therefore object to the presence of any person who is likely to be blamed for participation in this affair.” Loud applause followed Mr. Warner’s remarks, and Dr. Shaeffer whispered a request to CoL Ainsworth to withdraw. He refused to do so, however, and the coroner turning to the jury said he -bad no right to exclude from the hearing any person who was likely ty be a party to the verdict. Juror Hanvy said he had been told by a dozen clerks that they had been afraid to testify and would have refused to do so but for the letter of the secretary of war.

A mad rush had just begun in the direction of CoL Ainsworth when Juror Warner rose and standing on his chair begged for order. He said: “This outbreak of feeling must be suppressed, not by the strong hand of the law but by the hand of the fraternity. (Applause.) I appeal to you to have fair play as American citizens and not to stain the name of the glorious capital of this republic. I appeal to you in the name »f the Master who reigns above?’ ’ The crowd fell into Mr. Warner’s way of thinking and cried “Yes, yes.” Hesaw his advantage and made an appeal to let the question of allowing GbL Ainsworth to remain be settled bycool heads. When he took his seat, however, there were more threateningmurmurfngs. CoL Ainsworth, who was sitting with, his counsel at a table facing the six jurymen, quailed perceptibly at this, clamor, and his few friends and a squad of police formed a guard about him. It. was lucky that they did so, for the crowd made a forward movement as if to execute their cry, and in the turmoil Ainsworth was hurried through aside door of the hall to a place of safety. Had it not been for the presence of the police CoL Ainsworth would have undoubtedly suffered bodily injury. After this outburst it’was impossible for the- coroner to proceed further and he announced that the inquest would be adjourned, until to-day at the station house of the First police precinct. This precipitated a cry against a star chamber investigation and an indignation- meetings; was at once organized. As a result of, the discussion a committee was appointed to wait on the president of the United States and ask him. to suspend CoL. Ainsworth pending theresult of the- investigation by the cor*ener’s jury and the court of inquiry ordered by the secretary of war. Feeling has been running high, against CoL. Ainsworth ever since the sad affair occurred, it being alleged' that lie was a martinet and would not permit the clerks in his bureau to>be furloughed while repairs were being made at, the- old theater, although, it was known, to. be unfit for occupancy and unsafe;. Monday’s demonstration: has put an end to a further public trial..