The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1865-09-07
The Williamsburg Arson Case.
TESTIMONY OF THE OFFICERs--THE JUSTICE RE-
SERVES HIS DECISION.

SERVES HIS DECISION.
On the 9th OF last month young man named John
Brown arrested by officer voltze, Of the Forty fifth
precinct L. D., charge Of The facts as de-
veloped the examination before Walter yester
day, appear TO be as follows
On the night above stated officer Hendricks of the
Forty fifth precinct testified that he was on duty on that
night and the accused in Graham avenue between
Powers and Ainslie Streets about past o'clock
in the morning; he tho prisoner) the opposite
side Of the street, he alone and passed down Dcvoe
street, and followed him in about five minutes; there
was cart near the corner, and could not see
him; II was very dark stood about five minutes
when ! saw a blaze which lit up the shed about
twenty feet from the church and west Of Graham
avenue about seventy five feet there dwellings
in the neighborhood when came up no ran down Aims.
lie street and / followed him. called TO him that |
would shoot II no did stop; then raped for assist
ance and officer votze caught him. told IN that he
might consider himself lucky that did shoot him
he begged me for Gods sake 30 take him back and he
would put the fire out that he had been guilty of
any offence before; he said that the devil must have
father and mother and he very DESTROYS Of having the
matter settled officer Voltze asked him what he did it
for; he said 10 get up an alarm and give "thc boys'
run; then brought him TO the station house, the
was smouldering, not blazing; one Of the posts
blackcned; did not examine him; he had fremans
rig, and badge, No 3o5; Sergeant Maddox took the
badge from him
Olcer voltze, the officer spoken of by the hast wit
ness, testified substantially to the facts which
witnesses examined for the defence their testimony
being entirely confined to the proof OF prisoners previous
good character
AT this stage OF the case Mr. Briggs counsel for tho
prosecution suggested to the Justice that he did de-
sire to press the case with any degree Of severity and
asked permission TO examine the prisoner privately with
view of ascertanng his real motive in attempting to
get up false alarm OF fire.
After the private examination, Mr. N p OBrien, coun-
sci for the Defence stated TO the that he was will
ing to leave the whole matter in the hands of the Justice
he did not consider that the charge of could be
sustained; that the place set fire only old
fence with few dry boards laid form she'd
and that the place was far removed from any dwell
ing as to preclude the possibility Of any injury being
done to life or property even II the fence had caught Ere
MT Briggs, the counsel for the prosecution, said that
he was perfectly satisfied that the charge OF could
not be sustained and ntmated that the prisoner should
be discharged
The Justice after hearing all the evidence, reserved
MS decision I'LL the 30h inst, and in the meantime the
accused has been admitted TO ball. his father who has
Just completed term Of four years service in the navy
becoming ms security. number OF witnesses were
called Tor the Defence and they all testified the gen.
erM good character Of young Brown, who has been
placed by his father in a commercial college IN New
York, with view Of fitting him for some mercantile