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Chicago's Awful Theater Horror

Chicago's Awful Theater Horror

Various
4.8
Literature
27 Chapters
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Contents

Embracing a Flash-Light Sketch of the Holocaust, Detailed Narratives by Participants in the Horror, Heroic Work of Rescuers, Reports of the Building Experts as to the Responsibility for the Wholesale Slaughter of Women and Children, Memorable Fires of the Past, etc., etc.

Chapter 1 No.1

Have a thought for the happy two tonight

Who have passed their tenth wedded year,

And the best of wishes, kind and bright,

Which we impart

With a loving heart

That is faithful and sincere.

VERDICT OF CORONER'S JURY.

From the testimony presented to us we, the jury, find the following were the causes of said fire:

Grand drapery coming in contact with electric flood or arc light, situated on iron platform on the right hand of stage, facing the auditorium.

City laws were not complied with relating to building ordinances regulating fire-alarm boxes, fire apparatus, damper or flues on and over the stage and fly galleries.

We also find a distinct violation of ordinance governing fireproofing of scenery and all woodwork on or about the stage.

Asbestos curtain totally destroyed; wholly inadequate, considering the highly inflammable nature of all stage fittings, and owing to the fact that the same was hung on wooden bottoms.

Building ordinances violated inclosing aisles on each side of lower boxes and not having any fire apparatus, dampers or signs designating exits on balcony.

LACK OF FIRE APPARATUS.

Building ordinances violated regulating fire apparatus and signs designating exits on dress circle.

Building ordinances violated regulating fire apparatus and signs designating exits on balcony.

Generally the building is constructed of the best material and well planned, with the exception of the top balcony, which was built too steep and therefore difficult for people to get out of especially in case of an emergency.

We also note a serious defect in the wide stairs in extreme top east entrance leading to ladies' lavatory and gallery promenade, same being misleading, as many people mistook this for a regular exit, and, going as far as they could, were confronted with a locked door which led to a private stairway preventing many from escape and causing the loss of fifty to sixty lives.

HOLDING OF DAVIS AND HARRISON.

We hold Will J. Davis, as president and general manager, principally responsible for the foregoing violations in the failure to see that the Iroquois theater was properly equipped as required by city ordinances, and that his employes were not sufficiently instructed and drilled for any and all emergencies; and we, the jury, recommend that the said Will J. Davis be held to the grand jury until discharged by due course of law.

We hold Carter H. Harrison, mayor of the city of Chicago, responsible, as he has shown a lamentable lack of force in his efforts to shirk responsibility, evidenced by testimony of Building Commissioner George Williams and Fire Marshal William H. Musham as heads of departments under the said Carter H. Harrison; following this weak course has given Chicago inefficient service, which makes such calamities as the Iroquois theater horror a menace until the public service is purged of incompetents; and we, the jury, recommend that the said Carter H. Harrison be held to the grand jury until discharged by due course of law.

RESPONSIBILITY OF WILLIAMS.

We hold the said George Williams, as building commissioner, responsible for gross neglect of his duty in allowing the Iroquois Theater to open its doors to the public when the said theater was incomplete, and did not comply with the requirements of the building ordinances of the city of Chicago; and we, the jury, recommend that the said George Williams be held to the grand jury until discharged by due process of law.

We hold Edward Loughlin, as building inspector, responsible for gross neglect of duty and glaring incompetency in reporting the Iroquois theater "O. K." on a most superficial inspection; and we, the jury, recommend that the said Edward Loughlin be held to the grand jury until discharged by due course of law.

We hold William H. Musham, fire marshal, responsible for gross neglect of duty in not enforcing the city ordinances as they relate to his department, and failure to have his subordinate, William Sallers, fireman at the Iroquois Theater, report the lack of fire apparatus and appliances as required by law; and we, the jury, recommend that the said William H. Musham be held to the grand jury until discharged by due course of law.

NEGLECT OF DUTY BY SALLERS.

We hold the said William Sallers, as fireman of Iroquois Theater, for gross neglect of duty in not reporting the lack of proper fire apparatus and appliances; and we, the jury, recommend that the said William Sallers be held to the grand jury until discharged by due course of law.

We hold William McMullen, electric-light operator, for gross neglect and carelessness in performance of duty; and we, the jury, recommend that the said William McMullen be held to the grand jury until discharged by due process of law.

We hold James E. Cummings, as stage carpenter and general superintendent of stage, responsible for gross carelessness and neglect of duty in not equipping the stage with proper fire apparatus and appliances; and we, the jury, recommend that the said James E. Cummings be held to the grand jury until discharged by due course of law.

From testimony presented to this jury, same shows a laxity and carelessness in city officials and their routine in transacting business, which calls for revision by the mayor and city council; and we, the jury demand immediate action on the following:

BUILDING DEPARTMENT.

Should have classified printed lists, to be filled out by an inspector, then signed by head of department, before any public building can secure amusement license, and record kept thereof in duplicate carbon book.

All fire escapes should have separate passageways to the ground, without passing any openings in the walls.

All scenery and paraphernalia of any kind kept on the stage should be absolutely fireproof.

Asbestos curtains should be reinforced by steel curtains and held by steel cables.

There should be two electric mains entering all places of amusement, one from the front, with switchboard in box office, controlling entire auditorium and exits, and one on stage, to be used for theatrical purposes.

All city officials and employes should familiarize themselves with city ordinances as they relate to their respective departments, and pass a rigid and signed examination on same before they are given positions. This same rule should be made to apply to those holding office.

FIRE DEPARTMENT.

All theaters and public places should be supplied with at least two city firemen, who shall be under the direction of the fire department and paid by the proprietors of said places.

We recommend that the office and detail work of the fire department, as imposed on the fire marshal, be made a separate and distinct work from fire fighting, as it is hardly to be expected of any fire marshal to give good and efficient service in both of these branches.

Also a police officer in full uniform detailed in and about said place at each and every performance.

In testimony wherof, the said coroner and jury of this inquest have hereunto set their hands the day and year aforesaid.

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Latest Release: Chapter 27 THE STORY OF THE BURNING OF BALTIMORE.   08-13 19:02
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1 Chapter 1 No.1
06/12/2017
2 Chapter 2 THE STORY OF THE FIRE.
06/12/2017
3 Chapter 3 FIRST AID TO THE INJURED AND CARE FOR THE DEAD.
06/12/2017
4 Chapter 4 TAKING AWAY AND IDENTIFYING THE DEAD.
06/12/2017
5 Chapter 5 SCENE OF HORROR AS VIEWED FROM THE STAGE.
06/12/2017
6 Chapter 6 EXCITING EXPERIENCES IN THE FIRE.
06/12/2017
7 Chapter 7 HEROES OF THE FIRE.
06/12/2017
8 Chapter 8 THE ORIGIN OF THE FIRE—THE ASBESTOS CURTAIN AND THE LIGHTS.
06/12/2017
9 Chapter 9 SUGGESTIONS OF ARCHITECTS AND OTHER EXPERTS AS TO AVOIDING LIKE CALAMITIES.
06/12/2017
10 Chapter 10 THIRTY EXITS, YET HUNDREDS PERISH IN AWFUL BLAST.
06/12/2017
11 Chapter 11 HOW THE NEW YEAR WAS USHERED IN.
06/12/2017
12 Chapter 12 A SABBATH OF WOE.
06/12/2017
13 Chapter 13 WHAT OF THE PLAYERS
06/12/2017
14 Chapter 14 OTHER HOLOCAUSTS.
06/12/2017
15 Chapter 15 STORIES AND NARRATIVES OF THE HOLOCAUST.
06/12/2017
16 Chapter 16 SOCIETY WOMEN AND GIRLS' CLUBS.
06/12/2017
17 Chapter 17 EDDIE FOY'S SWORN TESTIMONY.
06/12/2017
18 Chapter 18 EFFECT OF THE FIRE NEAR AND FAR.
06/12/2017
19 Chapter 19 SUGGESTIONS FOR SAFE THEATERS.
06/12/2017
20 Chapter 20 THE SWORN TESTIMONY OF THE SURVIVORS.
06/12/2017
21 Chapter 21 LACK OF FIRE SAFEGUARDS.
06/12/2017
22 Chapter 22 IRON GATES, DEATH'S ALLY.
06/12/2017
23 Chapter 23 DANCED IN PRESENCE OF DEATH.
06/12/2017
24 Chapter 24 JOIN TO AVENGE SLAUGHTER OF INNOCENTS.
06/12/2017
25 Chapter 25 AWFUL PROPHECY FULFILLED.
06/12/2017
26 Chapter 26 LIST OF THE DEAD.
06/12/2017
27 Chapter 27 THE STORY OF THE BURNING OF BALTIMORE.
06/12/2017
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