Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1857-08-28


was had before Justices Vann and Cowan, in the
case of A. Kaufman, arrested charge of setting
fire 10 the property consumed on The morning of the
24th inst. NJ. B. Smith. Esq, County Solicitor. ap-
peared for the State and A. Empie and Eli w. Hall,
Esqs, for the defendant.
We give the important points. stated by The wit
nesses forbearing remark or inference.
Mr.. Freshwater, one of the Town Guard, was not
very far off from the location of the fire about
o'clock on Monday morning. Smelled something
burning,-went down along Wafer Street to try and
discover the fre-when rather above the stores
where it was, the light of the fregot opposite
to a narrow alley running between Kaufman's store
and that next North and saw the blaze itself burst
ing out through warehouse in rear .of Kaufman's
store Cried out fire. Immediately doing so,
heard back door of Kaufman's store slam and foot
steps in store,-called TO person in store, kaufman
presented himself at front door dressed-pointed
Freshwater ard another Guard who had come up, to
the alley the way to get to the fire. Guard start.
ed through alIey-had to remove hacking box to get
through. Got back to the fire before Mr.. Kaufman
who went through his store. Saw Kaufman come out
of back door of store, did not hear him unfasen it in
any way. Warehouse on fire was ten to twelve feet
from Ka ufmans back door. After seeing the fire Kauf
man entered his door, and asked the Guard to help
him out with his trunk which stood in store within
few feet of back door. Helped him out with trunk.
He oued light in passing out with trunk. Trunk
carried out and placed on pavement. Kaufman lock
ed front door of store. No packing of trunk done
after alarm. All done before Another Guard cor.
roborated Mr.. Freshwater's statement.
Mr.. VIM. Reston testified as 10 the position OF the
fire. The warehouse foImed an L with the store on
the south occupied by the Mes.rs. Samson, and ran
up behind that occupied by MIR. Kaufman, at d dis
lance of about twelve feet Found faggotswith their
ends stuck together done in lighting fire. These
were pushed under the inside angle of formed by
warehouse and Samsons store. Faggots, apparently
made out of goods box, afre and partly consum.
ed. Warehouse afre, and spirits in sort OF
track running from warehouse to Kaufman's store.
Messrs. Pritchett and McRae testified to pretty
much the same thing. Warehouse door locked
and attempt to break in failed from flying off the
handle.
Mr.. John Hedrick arrived at fire early found some
few persons there-Mr. Reston and some others
Found they could not get fire under-must commit
nicate to Kaufmans store-asked where the owner
of store was-Mr. Kaufman was pointed out-Mr
Hedrck said he ought to get his goods out, store
would certainly be burned. Mr.. K was unwilling to
open store-sad he didn't think anything of conse
quence could be saved.
Mr. Hedrck and others said store was to be open
ed if it had to be forced open. Mr. K then reluc.
family unlocked back door, and after delay got
light Mr.. Hedrick examined all that was in store
Found very lule-nothing valuable-ony odds and
ends. All was removed MIR. K. directed things &c
be taken to store of Messrs. Samson, on the other
side of Water street, subsequently burned.
Messrs. Samson's clerk, Mr.. Solomon Bear and
others were examined. 1t was shown that no dool
opened out of Samson's store into space between
warehouse and MIR. Kaufman's
Mr. Hedrick testified that the question Of Mr.
Kaufman's insurance was discussed in Mr. KS pres
ence. He did not contradict the statement of its be-
ing insured-dd not say that it was, but from what
passed. Mr. Hedrick concluded that it was.
Other testimony was introduced or offered, but the
above is the main part, we think impartiay given
We express no opinion. 1t is proper to add that &C
cess to the warehouse where the fire started coulc
have been had otherwise than through the store o
the accused 1t could have been had through th'
alley spoken of by the Guard. and also from Chest
nut Street through the yards all opening together.
The Justices held Mr. Kaufman TO bail in the sun
of $4,000 10 appear at the next term OF the Superior
Court for this County to the charge.