Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-08-16
gotai am Ysrsonal.

Incendiarism.---Yeste morning, at eleven
o'clock, John Maryman, Claiborne Mockbee, Geo
G. Wilson, and William Bulger charged with
"maliciousy and wilfully" burning certain stables
and other buildings on Capitol hill and the island,
including Petitioners ice house, were brought be-
fore Justices Morsel and Birch, who had set apart
that hour for further examination into the SUBJ
ject.
With view 10 the better accommodation OF all
parties, the investigation took place al The court
house. There was a large number OF persons
present to witness the proceedings.
Mr. Bradley appeared for the United States and
the corporation; Mr.. Carlisle, for Maryman and
Mockbee, and M. Ennis for Bulger.
The fret witness called was Mr.. J. A. Brown,
who testified that Wilson, one OF the prisoners,
told him on Saturday morning, between Ten and
eleven O'clock that he touched oil the stable Of
Mr.. Follansbee, Tor of Mr.. Dickens) but that he
did not put the material for that purpose under The
stable. The witness had told the prisoner that he
had "better make clean breast OF il and relate all
the circumstances"
Mr. John b. Bryan having been sworn, said,
in reply TO a question by Mr.. Carlisle, that he
thought he would be entitled 10 the reward Of 5000
offered by the mayor for the apprehension and
conviction of the incendaries but, in response 10
interrogatory Of Mr.. Bradley, he said he was
willing release the corporation from the reward,
SO far as he was concerned; and accordingly exc
cuted writing TO this effect. This removed the
objection 10 HIM as wtness-he not now being
in he position OF an interested person lie then
testified that Wilson said this was the "ony fire
he had touched off," and the only one he intended
TO "touch off, The prisoner had informed him
that in setting fire 10 the stable, he was assisted
by three others and had said that he took the
wick from the Columbia engine house, and The
l..s~. al, NJ. MttIln hnn
During the cross-examinalion, the witness said
he had suspected Wilson Of the crime. Wilson
has pretty hard name about Capitol hill, where
he lives. He could not say that Wilson was so
Der, but not regularly drunk, for he knew what he
was talking about
Mr. N. b. Markle, who discover. I'd the FIRE at the
stable before it had scarcely charred the boards,
testified as to this fact. He removed the lamp, in
which had been placed the ignted ball of wick,
and thus prevented The intended coniagraton.
He cried for the watch, thinking that The incen-
diary might be caught, bui he did not find watch
man until he woke one up. (Laughter)
Mr. Carlisle. You did not set trap for him.
Mr. Martin identified the lamp which was ex-
hibited as the one which he had removed from the
stable on the morning 10 which ausion has been
made.
Officer J. F. Wollard testified that Bulger told
him that his associate, Wilson, touched of
Follansbee's stable, he, Bulger, having been ten
feet off al the time.
Joseph w. King, a member Of the Auxiliary
Guard, testified that one OF the prisoners, Mary.
man, said al the watch-house, on Saturday, "
suppose Wilson thinks that he will send me down,
10 the penentiary) and that he get clear; but
can prove that did not set fire 10 the stable
and that Wilson did" No inducements or threats
were held out TO Maryman 10 make this acknowl-
edgment.
George c. Wilson, one of the accused, stated
under OATH that, last Saturday night week, the
tod anti fhne Ia Inuo ms
and sat down at the graveyard. Bulger propos-
ed 10 return to Foansbee's stable The party
turned back, and sat an hour al the culvert near
the railroad. Ii was eleven o'clock Some said
IL was time 10 start, as the moon was going down.
One of the young men afterwards got the lamp
from the post near Mr. Muloy's house. The party
consisted of himself Buiger, Maryman. and Erb-
uhe last now being absenl.) They went as far
as Chase's alley, but heard somebody walking in
the path. He pulled out the lamp-wick and put
on il a little Bit of camphene. He gave il back 10
Maryman. When he lighted the lamp near the
stable he ran, together with the whole party. lie
did not see the stable burn. This was because
Mr. Markle had removed the lamp, which bad been
placed near II with view OF producing con-
fagration.l He then narrated, al length, the par
ticulars relating 10 the other fires, attempts a,
incendiarsm; not, however, swearing that he san,
his companions commit the deeds, but stating cir
cumstances which would Enthusiastically lead &c
such conclusions he furnishing some of the com
bustibe materials for the CONGREGATIONS. On one
OCCASION he said the party had been drinking, and
had quart OF liquor.
The several witnesses rgidly cross-ex
amined.
Others were called TO testify as 10 the respective
characters Of the persons accused but our limits
will not permit of a full report of the proceedings
which occupied seven hours.
The evidence being concluded, Mr.. Carlisle
addressed the court, arguing that his clients
should be discharged, there being no testimony 10
show that they had burned, or attempted 10 burn
those buildings, as required by the law as neces-
sary for holding TO bail, or for conviction.
Mr.. Ennis likewise briefly spoke in behalf oi
his client, saying there was no probable cause
TO hold him 10 bail for trial
Mr.. Bradley took issue with those gentlemen,
saying, in the OF his remarks he trusted an
example would be made Of these parties, that an
end might be put TO those constant, terrible, mid.
night alarms Of fire not an example OF one OF
them only but Of all who admit that they were
present when the buildings were set on FIRE.
Mockbee was dismissed, while the decision in
the cases OF the others was held for adviscment
until to-day.