BUILDING CLOSELY INSPECTED
[Special Telegram To The Gazette Times]
Canonsburg, Pa., Aug. 26. — Shortly after his arrival here from Washington, Pa., this morning, Coroner James T. Heffran of Washington county, announced that the inquest into the cause of the catastrophe here last night in which 26 lives were crushed out, would take place either Thursday or Friday of this week. The exact date will be announced later.
After a conference with deputy coroner W. H. McNary, Coroner Heffran immediately took up the work of empaneling a jury to make the investigation. The majority of those selected participated in the work of rescuing the victims. The following men were chosen:
T. M. Reese, foreman.
W. A. McBurney.
James T. Espy.
R. T. Kirk.
William H. Dunlap Sr.
After the jurors had been sworn in they and the coroner went to the scene of the catastrophe and made a close inspection of the Opera House, including the auditorium, the fatal staircase, the rolls of films, the moving picture apparatus and the asbestos cage.
Leaving the Opera House, the coroner and his jurors then viewed the remains of the 26 victims. Coroner Heffran stated that a thorough investigation would be made and that if responsibility for the disaster is fixed, legal action will be taken.
Special care will be taken to determine whether the state requirements regarding public amusement places were complied with.
The coroner held a short conference with C. F. Ferguson, manager of the Opera House, as well as John McCullough, the operator of the moving picture machine.