The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1870-01-29

-~ss. AhDOA N8D0s
This is q case that has created considerable ex.
citement, both in Marseilles where the FIRE occur
red and here where the investigation into tho
circumstances attending it has taken place.
1t Will be remembered that on the Sd of Octc-
Der last, the stainsry belonging to NJ. A. Howell
q Son, at Aarseilles, waa burned down.
Morris d. Smith, better known here - Jockey
Smith, was brought here on charge of setting
Hre to this building, and Justices Smith and
Leavsns have been engaged al the week e1ania.
Ing witnesses with tho view Of aseertsinine
whether Smith was Implicated in the transaction
or not The most important witnesses examined
tor the prosecution were Mr. Bradwell, Mr..
Howell, Felix sigler, Mrs We scott, D. A. Mich
olson, Mr.. Beckwith. Mr.. Shaw, and Mr.. Vaughn.
and E. Barber, FIG. Northup, o. A. Smith, A.
F. Bond and Frank Sigler, brother of Felix Sig.
Ter, for the defense. OF these. the most impor.
tant was Mr.. Howell, Felix Sigler and his
brother, Frank Sigler.
Ar. Howslls testimony was most rigidly cross.
examined by Mr.. Van Arman, and it was rs.
marked that certain portions of his evidence
were given with great reluctance and hesitation.
The portion Of his conduct that attracted the
greatest suspicion, was the fact Of his having
kept Felix sigler who was engaged to watch
the premises for himl ont Of the way, and having
given him money, clothing, &C. He also took
him to New York, and from thence to George.
town, South Carolina, and paid his expenses.
This he accounts for by saying he did it to keep
him tSigler) from being tampered with BY the
insurance agents.
In the course of hi, evidence. Felix Sigler
swore, that Smith tthe prisoner had offered him
$500 if him would burn the building. On
another occasion he had been offered 10000 hy
detective if he would sign a statement and 90
back on Howell, which he refused to do. This
witness swore that ne did not burn the building.
nor did he know who did.
Frank Sigler, brother of the preceding wit.
ness, declared, on OATH that his brother Felix
had told him he had good thing on Howell,
that whenever he wanted couple of hundred
dollars 50 80 Howell would be obliged to come
down.
The evidence of this witness, if it is TO relied
upon, goes far to convict his brother of setting
fire to the mill
From the whole tenor Of the evidence adduced,
Felix Sigler ia pointed out as being the guilty
man. rather than Smith, and this appeared to be
the opinion OF the Justices themselves, for after
patient hearing OF the most contradictory evil
dence, and the learned and able remarks of
counsel on both sides, the Justices decided that
there was not sufficient evidence 70 warrant
them in holding Smith to bail.
The case for the prosecution was conducted BY
Mr.. Avery, and for the defense by NJ. Van Ar.
man, Of Chicago, and Nr. H. X. BOYLE, OF this
city
At the conclusion Of the examination Thurs.
day, Mr.. Morris d. Smith left the court room
with his friends. ....
A warrant was Immediately issued for the
arrest Of Felix Sigler, who had preliminary
examination yesterday afternoon before Justice
Graham, and was admitted to bail in the sum of
$500 for himself, and $500 for his brother Rob
insoa Sigler.
A warrant has also been issued against Mr.
Howell, who has waived his examination until
the next sitting Of the Circuit Court.
The matter will doubtless meet With . most
thorough Investigation, aud it is to be hoped tho
guilty party, or parties, whoever they may be,
will be brought 70 justice and rsesive the puniah.
meat for their crime that it 20 justly merits.