The New York herald., 1869-01-26
the SUPPOSED ARSON CASE N WILLIAMSBURG
Confirmation of the COroner's Inquest-Tcsti.
maux of the Prisanf.r. Eden.

Confirmation of .he C0roner's Inquest-Testi-
mony OF the Prisoner. Eden.
Coroner whitehil. and jury took further testimony
yesterday afternoon In the case OF the two children
OF Frederick Thom, who were sufocated at the fire
in the grocery store Of John J. Eden on Wednesday
morning last. Severa. witnesses were examined,
but their testimony was not important.
Mr.. Eden, who was arrested on the morning Of the
FIRE on suspicion of arson was placed on ,lc witness
stand. He testified as iolows:-
John ]. Eden, sworn, deposed--I reside at No. 10
Grand street the night OF the ire Closed my store
then went to Mr. Gutgen's store and remained there
until about ten O'Clock, when J went into Grand
street; reached my residence abcu, eleven O'Clock;
about two O'Clock In the morning my clerk called me
up and said the store was on fire: immediately
went there and found the fire raging: saw Mark
Reardon and several others there; the tiremen then
had a stream Of water the buildings tried TO get
into the store, but was driven back by tie s,acge
there were three or lour barrels Of whskey In the
on bedding. furniture and groceries: gave
Mr. Gutgen liquor, coal and other things n pars pay
that could get tie lease or the store myself;
Intended to get license and open liquor store:
had promised Gutgen that would not sell liquor
willie the tease was in his name: wanted 10 get a
lease OF the whole house and frequently asked the
owner for IL; he told me he had no objection II Mr..
Gutgen was wiling: il was about Two O'Clock In the
morning when my clerk woke me up; J burned
gasolene in the store but there were no lamps e,t
the gasolene in small quantities and paid
twenty five cents gallon for IL: had fair stock OF
groceries In the store the Coroner here exhibited
to witness one OF number OF empty paper boxes
found In the store after The irej; suppose the
empty boxes were In the showcase would not give
the groceries in my store for 1900 sS0o the stock
was nearly a. paid for; probably owed $40; was
taxing in from thirteen 20 fifteen dollars day pre-
vious to the fire; my customers owed Ire about 800;
| was doing q paving business; Insured my STOCK
about five months ago the solicitation OF an nsu-
rance agent; did not have as much stock at
that time as I did when the fire took
place; the agent wanted me to take
larger policy: lately offered TO sell out for 81 500,
and told an atctioneer II he could get me GUS
toner willing TO pay that amount TO send him 70 the
stores had not been In the cellar for two DAYS pre-
vious to the fire; there was fire In the stove In
the store on the night OF the fire; my clerk sopt In
the rear OF The he In the habit OF lighting
q candle when going to bed.
Jacob Rutel, sworn, depo5ed-T resided In the
burned building: was In my room the night OF tue
Are: between seven and nine O'Clock heard the
sound OF barrels being rolled out oil the store; The
first knew Of the fire was awakened by an cAplo-
sion.
Al eleven O'Clock last night the Jury, after pro-
tracted deberation, rendered the following ver-
dict:-sswe fnd that the children " illiam and Emma
Thorn came to their death from sufiocat.on, by
smoke from the burning OF the building No. 65 North
Fourth street, on the morning OF January 90 1889,
and said fire was the work OF incendiary, who TO
us ia unknown, and we find that the means or es
cape from said building insufficient" The jury
also compllmented oflcer Edward Brown for his
gallvntry In resculng the occupants on the OCCASION
The prisoner, Eden, was thereupon discharged