The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-01-10
THE KIDD ARSON CASE.

Investigation by the Fire Marshall
Testimony OF q Neighbor OF tho Ac-
ouscd.
The following testimony was taken in the case
yesterday before the Fire Marshall
Joseph T. Mott stated-I am member OF the
firm of Mott & Turpin, produce dealers; we OCCUPY
the basement and first floor OF No. SO Murray street
for the storage OF apples; have known Mr.. Kidd
about three weeks was up in his store on Satur-
day last, between three and four O'Clock; went -
see him about three barrels of apples he had
ordered noticed large tin measure, holding =
gallon should think sitting on the stove; did not
notice what was in it; Mr.. Kidd said he put that
the stove because his tea kettle leaked the day
after New YEARS. Day Mr.. Kidd came down to our
store and made some inquiries about the
concern that formerly occupied the place;
he said he had lived in great dread
the premises that he had expected to be burned cut
and was very glad the firm had left; that he did
sured, but In case he was burned it would injury
his business very much; he inquired II we were IN
sured: answered did not think we would De con-
sidered prudent business men we had not At
tended TO that
Andrew Il. Mooney testified am a detective
detailed at the Fire Marshal's oflce; have exam.
ined the buildings Nos - 81 and So Murray street
could easily get nom the front window OF the
premises occupied by Kidd on the second f0ors
81 Murray street; the llntels OF the window
appear to be about six inches apart; there are NO
shutters to either windows; the rear windows OF
both buildings are protected by iron shutters;
could ind no means Of fastening the front Windows
! be easily raised l found drppings OF sperm can
| dies on the nOOr and stairs OF II from the third
| floor up to the scuttie; there are some drtppingD
on the scuttle stairs examined the scutte OF this
building and found an auger hole the exact size Of
the bit found In the store OF Mr.. Kidd also discOv-
cred that the scute OfPlatt Boyd was fastened on
the inside by two small hooks not thicker IN dimen-
sion than piece OF thick wire, about three-six-
teenths OF an inch in thickness; l could uncl0Se
these hooks by shaking the scuttle from the roof;
also found trail OF gunp0wder on the top floor Of
the building SO Murray street, this trail was In .
| wide crack in the floor and ran from the head Of
the stairs in the rear OF the building to the front Of
the scuttle stairs; found board at the foot Of
the sCutte stairs about twentyfour feet In length
formed OF two pieces joined together by two small
pieces OF wood about two leet and . half long and
nailed to the sides OF the two long pieces 81
! board to keep them together; there were along
the face OF this board for Its whole length, several
strings OF fuse, also strip Of combustible brown
paper; this whole thing was covered with .
| canvass painting; In Mr.. Kids storeroom
found pieces OF this same canvass or painting;
took account OF stock in Mr.. Kidds store found
nineteen full barrels OF Kentucky Bourbon, and
! sixty-four barrels, averaging about five gallons
| each, making in all about twelve hundred gallons,
no other liquor, except samples In his ONCE;
measured the distance on the rOef between the
two scuttles and found 1t to be about twenty-five
feet. The Investigation at this point adjourned.
concerned in the case were arraigned before Justlco
Bowling at the TOmbs Police Court Yesterday ON
complaint OF Fire Marshal McSpedOn. The LATE
Assistant District Attorney John r. Fellows APP
for examination to-day, the defendants In the
meantime being locked up.