The New York herald., 1868-04-24
ARSON CASE IN SCHENECTADY, NY.
A Wealthy Citizen Converted Of the Crime.
From The Troy Daily Times, April 22.l

From the Troy Daily Times, April 22.l
william lIanes was recently convicted in the court
of oyer and Terniner at Schenectady OF arson In the
third degree, and the case goes TO the Supreme
Court on exceptions, Mr. Hanes in the meantime
being held in $4,000 bail. Banes is about forty
Ave years Of age became resident OF Esperance
In Schenectady county, some seven years ago, and
excepting that he was addicted 10 licentiousness
always maintained fair reputation until the com
mission Of the crime. When he came 10 EspcraDce
Ire purchased a saw mill and grist mill on Schoharir
creek which he sold in 1854 to Fred Whiitesey and
one Ellis. The latter subsequently sold his share TO
Whtlesey, who was running the mills on the attn Of
April. 1851 when they took fire and were consumed.
At this time Hanes was not engaged IN any partcu-
lar business but he s0on afterwards purchased an
interest in paper mil. which nc Immediately began
TO convert into rlsi mill. At the time OF The fire
he held mortgage Of $4,000 and an insurance
policy OF $4,000 upon Whttlcsey's property, which
policy exEired 2 Few DAYS afterwards. Hanes
gage, when IL was paid by Whittesey's father.
About this time Hanes was heard 20 make va
rious observations about the property. such as
that Whittlesey would not run the mill % year and
also showed an anxiety 10 gain possession OF the
mill ate. The mistress of Hanes was a Mrs
Bronx, VINO had been intimate with him several
years. and whose husband was a sawyer In
sSa %nltiSsess ,ns s.Di,o n. Az ana after the nrc
her arrest. AZ her examination facts were
elcited which confirmed these suspicious and she
was committed IN deiaut of ball. Hanes was applied
90 for bail by her broiler but only repliei thsf
"shc'll get bail fast enough II she only Keeps her
mouth Shul- ine mater thus came to the notice of
John l.. Hill, the District Attorney. who caused
Hanes' arrest, and the preliminary examination re.
suited IN holding him. When brought TO trial Mrs
Bronx was the principal witness agains, him She
testiien that Hanes had often expressed wish aud
determination 10 get the mill sitc and didn't care |
how quick the mill burned down: that he asked |
her TO coax her husband TO burn 1t: that the latter
refused, ana then lianes offered her sa0O 10 do H.
She consented. He fixed the kndings In the ionrih
story, and she went 10 the mill and set them on lrn
while Hanes stood near TO assist In case ANYTHING |
happened TO her. The plot was successful: she came
out OF the MIL after she had fired II on receiving a
signal rom MIN that all was safe: went home anu
turned Win inc people to the fire when the alarm was
gwen. She afterwards went TO Hanes for money and |
received $40. This money she paid ont in various
places, as was shown 10y other witnesses ana il was
known that sne had no Legitimate means for procur- |
ing the money. The defendant endeavored 10 show |
that the IRE was caused by friction but diagram of
the ml showed the locality Of the fire 20 have been
such that could not have been caused by accident
ne also trled 70 prove that Mrs. Bronk's character
was BAD ana showed that she bqd often ex- |
pressed nersell In terms OF hostility towards him.
which sue nod denied at the cr6ss.examlnaton. |
Many witnesses swore that they would not
believe ner under OATH but an oqualn umber, |
WINE anintting her general character TO be
bad, were willing TO believe her sworn statement.
lns uIy, IeRaTulng all the circumstances as fully
ind strongiy corrobQrating Mrs Bronks' statement,
verdict OF guilty. Hanes is wealthy and
"a M spare no enort Or expense " escspe term In