The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-01-09


The investigation into the attempt at arson, sup
posed to have been made at SO Murray street by
william H. Kidd, was continued yesterday before
Fire Marshal McSpedon. and the following evidence
was taken:-
TESTIMONY OF JOSEPH SHEPPARD.
Joseph Sheppard said-I have been in Mr. Kidd's
employ over seven years-hve years in this city
and the rest OF the time In Charleston, 8. c.; we
came from Charleston in the Spring Of 1868; Mr.
Kidd was in the liquor business In Charleston; mis-
store was on the corner Of Frazer's wharf and
East Bay; was in his employ at the time that
store was burned; the sto-e had been seized by
the revenue Officers some time before that.
but he had got everything straight, and this
fire occurred year afterwards at the
time eur stock Of whiskey was on the third nsor i;
we had about eighty-nve barrels there and some
ten sample barrels below / was on the upper floor
on Saturday saw the whiskey there; the fire oc-
curredOn the following Tuesday; think he had
about eight thousand dollars insurance. the stock
was q total loss; think he told me he recovered
$4,000 nom the insurance compsnies he didn't
get it till after we came to New York; 1t was
claimed that the whiskey was not there at the
time Of the IRE; when Mr.. Kidd came to this city
he went into business with Ed. voge ana Angus
tus voge, in Cedar street; we have occupied our
hired the first loft but had the upper part while it
was empty; Mr.. Kidd had the Key Of
the door at the fost Of the stairs leading
up TO the third Moor; the key used to have
been kept in drawer in the ONCE until within the
last three weeks when, having occasion one day
to 60 up stairs, I could not ind the key; asked
Mr.. Kidd for 1t and he had it in his pocket; he has
kept possession OF 1t ever since; he had an under
standing with the landlord during the last two
weeks That he should have possession OF the upper
foOrs that he might let them II he could; he had
GrMa Hmm Tim thprA
months; the first door was occupied by some party
Tor the storage OF apples was last at the store on
at Of TN believe he got the
$600;p there was no lamp Or candle wick
u me store up to the day l lett;
Mr.. Kidd failed In business about three months
ago; he settled up with his creditors by paying
1orty cents on the dollar In his own notes; believe
he paid good deal OF his indebtedness in cash and
that he did not give many notes; have seen the
brace and DIT shown me before; the bit was kept in
for the Bit But used the brace reauenty the
screwdriver shown me belonged to Mr.. Kidd, also
the chisel and the instrument used for marking
barrels; the OIL canvas on the piece OF board was
part OF an oil painting which was kept in the rear
OF the store; 1t was lying on the top OF barrel
the last time saw saw cans gun
is what the canvas was nailed to; MIR. Kidd bought
the painting at an auction. o-a l,ft. 3
TESTIMONY OF PATTERSON JOLLY.
Mr. jelly stated-I am patroman attached to
the Third precinct policej was placed in charge
OF the premises, NO. 81 Murray street, on the night
OF the 9th OF January after the arrest Of Mr.. Kidd
on the afternoon OF the 7th inst discovered three
TASKS OF gunpowder wrapped up in newspaper and
in an empty barrel standing upon the hatch Of the
second floor OF the building the hatch--
way is enclosed and in the front part
OF the building; the powder TASKS shown
me are those found; none of them had tops
on them; the tops on two or them were gwen me by
young man in the employ OF Platt, Boyd Co., who
said he found them on the fourth floor OF their
building; there was piece OF red tape In one OF
them; when he handed them to me did not 1T
the tops in the TASKS; gave them to officer
Mcdonald to take to the station house; the TASKS
took there myself; they were all filed or par
italy filled, with powder when found them. and
In the same condition as now, with the exception
Of the tops
TESTIMONY OF PLATr SUTHERLAND.
Mr. Plat Sutherland said Il was directed by Mr..
our premises, 70 and 81 Murray street, to see ii
could find any evidence OF the late attempt to fire
our premises and the building adjoining;
Of glass, found the tops OF two powder Masks and
handed them to the officer in charge OF the prem
Uses No. SO; on the floor above, between some
boxes of glass ana near the scuttle ladder. found
some strips of brown wrapping paper saturated
with saltpetre and rolled up in punches; the paper
was similar to that now shown me l also dlscov-
on the top floor and the stairs leading
down from the top floor; have seen candles
in our store, but we have not used any for
the last two months; i never noticed the
candle marks before; never saw the
strips OF brown wrapping paper nor the tops OF the
powder tasks before; have not fitted them ON the
TASKS found in MT. Kidd's premises; netic.d the
one hole in scuttle about three-quarters Of an
inch in diameter and there are three holes In the
scutte OF the house adjoining; the holes all appear
to be OF the same size and to have been bored with
an auger or SEINE similar Instrument; the tops on
the powder TASKS shown me are similar to those
found on our premises; one had piece OF red tape
through it. trHa n