The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-06-13
The Water Street Arson Csse.


ARREST OF JAMEs LsAHY ON BsNCH VARIANT
| HtsAhxAbLE OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES OF
MICHAEL A. LYNCH.
irwin be recolected that on the night or the 18th Of
DECEMBER last an ncendisry fire occurred the liquor
STORE kept by James Leahy situated at No $40 Water
street, corner OF Oliver street The are broke out be-
tween one and two O'Clock the morning. at which time
several fan es asleep apartments oves the stcre
FIRE Marshal Baker, with his usual promptness was AZ
tho premises before the FIRE was fully and
| ut once went into investigation.
The strong smell of camphepe about the store together
with the fact OF the police finding piece Of lighted candle
sticking on some wood ana sDavoas between the liquor
Casks, and the appearances Of camphepe fluid having
been scattered them led the Marshal ut once TO sus
pect some parties concerned the store He accordingly
directed the arrest OF boy named William Sspleton
nephew to Mr. Leahy, and employed in the store The
police conveyed the boy 10 the Fourth precinct
house, where he shortly afterwards made full COMES
sion, stating that bis uncle directed him to Are the Store
ana gave him money to purchase four gallons of burning
ud telling him to spread the fluid over the casks behind
the counter aud about the store then to light two pieces
Of candle, place one behind the and the other
near the casks outside that they burn down and
re the s,ore and at the tme give them an oDpoc
tunity TO escape without exciting suspicion.
man named Michael A. Lynch was also hired by Mr.
Leahy 10 assist the boy in burning the store.
Hshys object, 1t seems, obtain 81 200 In
eurance money nom the Pacific
which amount tbe stock Insured.
Twas sno.n by the Fire Marshaps investigation that
there was bat little sio0 worth OF stock actually 10
the store at the time OF the IRE Leaby, at time
aso Owned another liquor No II forsy Ia street
The Water street store did not pay hence his desgn
burn IL.
Subsequently Leahy and Lynch wore indicted for An
attempt a. arson ID the FIRST degree 90 the 900 OF FEB
ruary following Leahy pleaded guilty TO a;tempt at
arson IN he !optth degree when Recorder Barnard
pended judgment, 90 condition that he eaty) should
leave tne country 10 thirty days This asreemens has
refused 70 leave and has gone again into the line
business In Forsyth street.
The man Lynch has pesp confined in the Tombs since
December last and now makes sworn statement before
the Fire Marshal Of the whole Affair." which abatement
corroborates the made by boy stapeton the fol-
lowing s the statement made oy Lynch
sTArKMKsT MIcHASL A LYNCH
On the 18th o December, 1855, worked ut No. 38 Fifth
lad On ossd W 10 oo sta
told my wife that when came home his uncle wanted
me-; as was coming home Stapeton was stsuiing
to me Nike, tvs very wet" replied It was he thea
said "hy sncie you Nike" went into the store
ior you that wants You to finish house ia Canal street,
said right lthsu go and see hm;' took drink and
was going OUT when Leahy Said :" Nike want TO speak
to you in mnuie'' then 10 tho door took me
by the and moved 10 wards the street, the bog Staple
ton was near by; Leahy them said 10 me IN ow voice
Nike have little business for you to for me at
the other store will give you dollars, twenty
won't keep you long" asked him what was 1t; he did
not Then tell ne; he said when went down Billy would
let me know Ieahy left the store and went home
and took my tea after tea thought should like know
from Ieahy what the business was, and went to the
store; Afked John Mallory, tho clerk where Mr. Leahy
was he told he did not know, but supposed he would
be away long tnen left and went the Water street
turned back 70 Forsyth street store Mr. Leahy was
then the store; at this time he telt he going
door with me; asked him Whist the business ne
wanted me for, and he replied It not much. but you
h y s he Tss
said Oh Mike don't speak do you want TO destroy met
| 10 Bully in TACT will do all; he has everything
he wsns' Isad not another word TO him about ten
half part went down 20 the Wster street store tn
boy Staple'on there tending bar, and great many
here sitting there Billy cleared them
out and closed the wiucows ut the he asked
to have eye to the bar for q while remarked
would he not away along, wanted to 90 hone
Billy went out and returned shortly with barrel contain
ing some shavpgs and small wood IS he told me, for
called the then leaving the store; Billy ead TO
me, "Mke, don't 60 away for while; Will be going
home with you; Will Oh 60 and get cande2r re.
Piled slave you not candle THEREOF he said that was for
''od Bob; went out, bought a candle and returned
with Il; Billy went behind the counter; the place snelt
then Of camphene at this time Gibln to the store
door, and he remarked about the smell OF camphene to
me; made no reply; Billy gave him some money for an
oyster btew and Gblin went away Bully the store
door, went nsde the bar took up demjohn and poured
some Of It's contents into measure then poured the
TENS Of this measure over tho shavings and casks the
shsvipgs strewed around by the casks;
asked what he going to do he said
woald Xii him il be did not DO r. Billy cut The c.ndIe
into pared OF the candle 20 the wick of pece
piece of candle was placed insiae the br the her
10 The store by the cssks the Gcor: then left the
and vent up Oliver street; Billy followed zae;
said 10 me, Nike come this way we went up Mott
stew we then vent home together; at this ,ne the
best Of my knowledge wanted about ten minutes to
~ys Ss 90 swear that ns ssSye is the u
| BAKER Fire Marshal
On Friday isst Mr. sezdsick, the Assistant District At
orpey before CNy Judge Russell for bench war.