The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-01-29
COURT 0F GENERAL SESSIONS.
Conviction OF Arson in the First Degree
George Drostel Sentenced to Imprison-
mcnt for Life in the state Prison.

Cow fiction OF Arson in the First Degree
George Drostel Sentenced to Imprison.
ment for Life in the state Prison.
Before Judge Sutherland.
AT the opening OF the Court yesterday
the trial Of George Drostel, indicted for
arson in the first degree, was resumed.
Assistant District Attorney Rollins opened the
case in lengthy, able and Interesting address,
calling the attention OF the jury to the horrible
nature OF the crime OF arson, instancing the Port
land and the Chicago fires and the more recent
burning of the residence OF Mr.. Stlner. He mar.
rated the leading facts which the prosecution
would prove against the prisoner, and predicted
that his guilt was SO clear the jury
would not leave their seats before they rendered
a verdict OF guilty OF arson in the first degree.
George Drostel was Jointly indicted with Edward
Madlnger, who carried on the tailoring business
part a. Of the While Mrs. Elem 'ne
ney and family lived in the upper part Of It.
The prosecution proved that the accused was IN
debted to Ward Walgrove, cloth merchants, In
Lispenard street in september, the sum OF 500
for goods, and Mr. Ward induced them to insure in
$4,000 on the 18th OF September
Alice 4. Barnswel q servant IN the employ OF
Mrs. helen Courtney, testified that on the 18th of
December there were number OF persons In the
three story brick house No. So East Twelfth street;
that Drostel ana Madllnqer occupied the parlot
and Mrs. Taylor and her chid occupied room adj.
joining on the night OF the fire. At noon OF that
day she went to the door OF the defendants apart
ments, when DrOstei opened IT wide enough to
answer her question and Immediately closed it
that she was sitting up that night and fell into
doZe; between the hours OF one and two O'Clock
she was aroused by smoke which almost sunocated
her; she went TO the front door and looked
into the bay window OF the talor's shop,
the curtain Of which was down, and then returned
to the back room, when she saw that the names
had come through; she gave the alarm, and soon
after policeman came; the folding doors connect
ing the talior's store with Mrs. Tayior's sleeping
apartment being fastened. they broke the hasp OF
the door leading nom the hall to the shop with q
hammer: Miss Maeder was carried out insensibe
into the street; the witness smelled turpentne
during the day and ct noon she saw Drostel carry
out quite q large bundle.
Mr. Mott crOss-examfned the witness, but
nothing OF import lance was elected. 1t was q
Mrs Courtney; she was present when Mr. Need
ham and others discovered after the FIRE some
pieces Of paper, matches, candle and other prepa-
rations for firing the place. .er
On1cer Daily Testified to having attended the IRE
and breaking m the door. the IRE appeared to
be in the southeast corner OF the room, near one
of the tables where cloth was lying; the dremen
soon arrived and extinguished the IRE.
Oficer Needham, OF the Insurance Patrol. swore
that he covered che two tables with an ocloth Gov
ering and after the Ore was exttngutshed, ne, IN
company with another Of1cer, removed them and
a further examination disclosed uDinnta
evidences that the nre was an inceDdiary one; ;
pieces OF paper. Two little candles liked IN paste
board stand and pieces OF cloth saturated with
turpentine were placed together, surrounded with
large pieces OF cloth unroiied 30 that they COULD
Norris 1avar a tailor tasttned that he name an