Coroner's Jury Report- School Fire Chicago SOF & Sil. Print 1-59

Transcript (Download)

The inquest will please come to order.

There's no smoking permitted at a coroner's inquest.

There will be no demonstrations of any kind here today.

There are deputy coroners in the room.

They will remove from this room any violators of the coroner's order.

This is the continued inquest.

Hearing number six, numbers one to 93.

Of December 1958, into the deaths of Joseph Matthew Oles, Wayne Frederick Wiz, Marilyn P.

Reeb, and 90 others who came to their death as a result of a fire that took place at our Lady of Ainsfield School located at 909 North David's Avenue, Chicago, Illinois, on December 1, 18, 1958, after about 2 42 o 'clock p .m.

Are there any legal representatives present here today whose names are not now part of this record? I'll now read the cause of death in the case of Joseph Maffioli.

That is that in my opinion Joseph Maffioli came to his death from excretion due to smoke inhalation.

It was signed on December 8 by Dr.

Victor Levine, the coroner's physician.

And in the case of Wayne Frederick Wiz, who came to his death as a result of asphyxiation due to smoke inhalation, that was also signed on December 8, 1958 by Dr.

Victor Levine, the coroner's physician.

And in the case of Marilyn P.

Reeb, she came to her death as a result of asphyxiation due to smoke inhalation.

It was signed on December 8, 1958 by Dr.

Victor Levine, the coroner's physician.

And the cause of death in the 90 other cases are made a part of this record.

They are mostly from smoke inhalation, fractures, second and third degree burns.

Now, now a part of this record.

When the jury retires, I would like to have them have all of these coroner's reports and the cause of death so when they're deliberating they also have an opportunity to see this.

This is quite lengthy and the jury naturally has to see everything and anything that we do.

Get over on this side.

You have to push that.

As a citizen of the city of Chicago and not as a former of the jury, I was very much disturbed by the news items with reference to a meeting held in New York or in Boston rather, discrediting the city officials of the city of Chicago with reference to this fire.

I think it was very indiscreet and in bad taste and obviously the timing was such that it would prejudice the thinking of this jury.

I have handed the verdict of the jury to the coroner.

I've been requested by the jurors to commend the coroner for the dignity with which he has handled this inquest.

I hope that all public officials will handle it properly.

Similarly, on this jury are many distinguished men.

Men of professional standing in the United States such as architects, fire prevention men, fire detection men, and men who haven't been investigating fires for 25 years.

They've worked diligently and sincerely, have visited the scene of fire many times and in my opinion, if I may say, with pardonable pride, I think they have done a wonderful job.

On presenting this verdict to the Mr.

McCarran, I want to say that the jury has accepted this assignment with great humility and sincerity and we have acted as servants of the people.

...determine whether this occurrence fire was accidental or otherwise.

Further findings attached here too and made a part of...

...reference to the death of Joseph M .A.

Died December 1st, year 58, Cook County Hospital from officiation due to smoke inhalation at a cost due to external violence causing the disease together with 92 others came to their deaths.

Victim of a fire of undetermined origin that took place in R .A.

Bangel School located upon the premises, commonly known described as 909 North Avers Avenue in Chicago.

Attached here too, findings of Connors Jury, R .A.

Bangel School, Chicago, Illinois, fire Monday, December 1st, 58.

We the Connors Jury have complete investigation of circumstances surrounding the December 1st, 58 fire in R .A.

Bangel School at 909 North Avers Avenue, Chicago, Cook County, Illinois.

The investigation includes an inspection of the fire scene, questioning of witnesses, and the study of the fire safety problems pertaining there too.

We consider the purpose of the investigation by the jury to not only find the cause of death but also determine the possibility, possible culpability of person and agencies involved in the greatest importance to recommend measures for the prevention of similar catastrophes.

Jetting from the evidence presented the fire originated in the stairwell area at the northwest corner of the school building and had been burning for some time before it was discovered.

However, the exact point of origin cannot be established established and we therefore have reached the conclusion theories in the fire.

Identifier

F.2012-03-1710

Date Of Production

1959

Abstract

Black and white footage of the Coroner's Jury Report during the inquest into the fire that took place at Our Lady of the Angels School in Chicago on December 1, 1958. 92 pupils and 3 nuns died.

Description

The film begins with the coroner stating there will be no smoking in the room or demonstrations/disruptions. He states there are deputies there that will remove people from the room if needed. He says this is the continued inquest of December 1958 looking into the deaths of the victims of the fire that took place at Our Lady of the Angels School at 909 N Davis Ave, Chicago, Illinois on December 01, 1958, at or around 2:42 pm. He then reads the cause of death of 3 of the victims. He says they came to their deaths from asphyxiation from smoke inhalation. He says the 90 other cases that make the record cause of death are mostly smoke inhalation, fractures, and second and third-degree burns. One of the other men at the table asks that the jury get a copy of the report when they return and that it is a lengthy report to cover but they need to see everything. Cut to another man joining the table of speakers. They open an envelope of papers. The newest speaker says he has been disturbed by reports that are discrediting the City of Chicago and city officials in reference to the fire. He states he has handed the verdict of the jury to the coroner. He commends the coroner on his dignity for handling this tough case. He compliments the jury and calls them upstanding men of the US and has done a wonderful job. The coroner reads the verdict from the jury.

Format

16mm

Extent

300 feet

Color

B&W

Sound

Optical

Reel/Tape Number

1/1

Has Been Digitized?

Yes

Language Of Materials

English

Element

Print

Genre

News

Form

Press Conferences

Subject

Students
Disasters
Fires
Schools
Chicago (Ill.)

Related Collections

SUBSERIES III: Accidents & Disasters

Related Places

North America ➜ United States ➜ Illinois ➜ Chicago

Main Credits

Koza, Frank (is filmmaker)

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