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Newspaper
Boston Post
Location
Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
Date
Jan 02, 1904
Page
8
Chicago, Jan 1. The coroner's office issued burial permits for about 300 dead from the Iroquois disaster. Most victims are Chicago residents, with a few permits for people living in other cities. The disposal problem will be officially discussed tomorrow.
The Etras of the Iroquois Theatre fire linger in Chicago as officials recount unsafe stage equipment and defective curtains. Mourning fills the city with funeral processions and rescue efforts, while families search morgues for loved ones. The Regensburg and Pond families suffer heavy losses, and a society figure recounts a trapped boy’s plea amid a crush for exits.
Philadelphia report quotes Jeassie Davis as wife of Will J Davis, part owner and manager, blaming the public for the tragedy at the Iroquois Theatre in Chicago. Officials note 400 on stage when catastrophe struck, praising safety equipment yet questioning the asbestos curtain failure.
The statement notes that addressing crowd dynamics could lessen the danger of a stampede, emphasizing safety measures and crowd control as key factors in preventing tragedy. It references public safety authorities and event planning considerations without detailing specific incidents.
Chicago January 1 A survivor, Mrs Jennie Blackman, testified hundreds of lives could have been saved if ushers had not barred exits and urged people back. She described locked doors and chaotic crowds as she fled, noting she was torn and bruised while her husband survived.
In St Louis the public buildings commissioner and fire chief require theatre managers to comply with fire and panic prevention provisions. A new building laws ordinance is under council review mandating metal skylights or vents over stages, sized to one tenth of stage area, and operable automatically on fire. Fire Chief Swingley warns of arrests for noncompliance.
Walter C Talcott and Mrs L A Wilson of Rhode Island, relatives of Winthrop N fspring, will travel to Chicago to attend the funeral of relatives who died in the Iroquois Theatre fire. The Springs, a party of 10, had been in attendance for Christmas. Mr Talcott learned last night that his relatives were victims.
Chicago officials list violations including missing exit signs and fire alarm, lack of sprinklers, obstructed aisles, and overcrowding as contributing to the deadly blaze. Investigators cite 12 deaths on the main floor and over 2000 patrons in the theater.
James B Callahan of Lowell formerly a member of the Iroquois Theatre company in Chicago shows, in a letter received by relatives last evening, that he left the company a fortnight ago.
Adelbert Hewett of Taunton received notice that his brother in law Walter Thatcher was killed in the Iroquois Theatre fire in Chicago. Thatcher formerly resided in West Village.
New York on January 1 reports the first order of the new fire department administration to inspect all theatres city wide. Each battalion will designate a theatre inspector supervised by the general theatre inspector, Assistant Foreman Patrick Lenihan. Weekly checks will ensure stages, flies, shields over border lights and related safety features remain in proper condition.
Chicago January 1 F L Donaldson a Western Union loop chief handled a long telegraph story of a fire and did not know his wife was among the missing. He went home found she had gone to the theatre and hurried back to search morgues and hospitals but no trace yet.
A Chicago morgue list enumerates the deceased by name and street address. Entries include Ralston at 22 Adams Street, Jordan at 16 Madison, Horan at 169 Eighteenth, Buffum at 1722 Wabash, Vin at 226 North Clark, Carroll at ell Street, Perrigo at 2917 State, Sheldon's at 339 West Madison, Ryan at 2249 Cottage Grove, Cleveland at 1449 Westison, Furth at 192 Thirty fifth, Postlewaite at Wood and Avenue, Boydston at 4229 Cottage Grove, with Samaritan Hospital noted.
The Flying Squadron of the Port of Boston hosted a New Year dining event at the Hotel Brigham on Washington Street. guests wore large linen aprons bearing the squadron name, a beefsteak menu with toast, and a string orchestra provided entertainment until about 2 am.
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