Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1874-07-17
Aequfttal Of Mr.. John r. Dennis OF
the Charge OF Arson

Yesterday in the Criminal Court, Judge
Humphreys, the trial of John p. Dennis
charged with srson in attempting to burn the
building occupied by him on 9TH street opposite
the Baltimore and Potomac railroad depot on
the 9Th OF June last, occupied the attention OF
the court aud jury. Mr.. Harrington appeared
for the United States, and Gen. Sol Henkle aud
l.. q. Hine for the defendant.
MI Harrington opened the case for the prose-
cutiOn and called the following witnesses:
Horace s. Johnson testified that he was the
owner of the house occupied by Mr.. Dennis.
100 9th street, which was set on fire. The
deferce objected to any proof of ownership but
the deeds, but the court admitted the question
and the lease from witness to Dennis for what
10 was worth. Mr.. johnson ALEC testified that
on the day after the ire Dir. Dennis told witness
he had 10 insurance. Witness looked through
the house occupied by Nr. Dennis the very next
dav and did not think there was more than
500 worth ofeffects there.
Lizzie Petersen testified that on returning
from the National Thester on the night OF the
alarm, she was told by her housekeeper that
Mr.. Dennis coach shop. She at once directed
her servant boy % climb mp and see what made
the light He reported something burning in
BOX. She at once ran out of her front door,
and forced the door OF Mr.. DIS shop open. 1t
was locked but not bolted, and the door yielded
after three pushes. She ran in and saw a piece
OF candle about two inches long set in block
OF wood, surrounded by papers saturated in
coal oil. Another candle, unit, was alongside,
and the box was connected with other portions
of the building by Irvine saturated with coal oil.
A bench on the floor near by was also saturated
with coal oil. The box sat at the bottom of the
stairs. A coal oil can sat alongside the box.
Mss Aoilie Shrsere testified that she resided
with Miss Petersen, and on the night in ques-
ton saw light in the window of Dennis coach
shop and informed Miss Petersen. She corrOb-
GRATED the statement of Miss Petersen.
John s Price testified that he went in the coach
factory next day, and would not give $500 for all
he saw there.
Dstsctire KcE!fresh testified that the morning
after the discovery he went to Mr.. Dennis, &C
the request of the latter, and was asked by him
10 look into the matter. Witness and Dennis
went to the coach shop. While there witness
picked up a coal oil can and asked Dennis IL he
knew any thing about 1t; he said that he had
never seen II before. Witness saw the box the
can came in; it had tag showing it came from
Bolton * Bro, Pratt street, Baltimore.
James X. Homer, book eeper of Bolton & Bro,
testified that on the 18th OF May Mr. Dennis
bought two gallon can of coal oil; Dennis
told twenty cents per gallon; he bought two gall
Ions, and when asked where il should be sent,
be said by express to Washington. The fact of
buy ing two gallons Of coal oil in Baltimore to be
expressed to Washington attracted the atten-
ton Of witness, and he looked attentively at the
purchaser, and Is sure Mr.. Dennis is the man.
The court took q recess.
After recess August KLeinhein, who occupies
the adjoining shop, testified that on the night
in question he heard Mr.. ID. az late as Z O'Clock
in the act Of giving the key to his boy.
pany, testified to having delivered the can and
obtained receipt therefor.
Waiter Dennis, son Of the accused, testified
that he received the drawback of 81 from Mr..
u. X. Russell Barr, agent OF the insurance COM
psnys.
r. 7. Taylor gave a detailed statement of the
appearance OF the premises, corrob0ra ting the
testimony OF Detective McElfresh.
Mr.. AcDerih also cOrroborated the testimony
of Messrs. McElfresh and Sargent.
At noon to-day the trial was resumed, and
Mr.. j. Russell Barr was sworn. He testified
that Dennis had a policy of insurance, which
was Cancelled on June 9TH and returned. The
drawbaC ks were paid to Mr.. DIS son. The in
surance was in the Lycoming Company of
Pennsylvania for 1900 on the personal eff
fects.
By the COurt:-After il was Cancelled the
policy was returned to the home office.
The defendant objected to several portions of
this testimony.
The court ruled that the policy, If in exist
ence, must be produced, and 1t was the duty Of
the prosecution TO have the policy in court.
Mr.. Harm gton said that the policy was not
present, and if the court 50 ruled, he could 90
no further, as he had no case, and he would
have to be content with verdict of not guilty.
The jury therefore returned a verdict Of not
guilty, and Mr.. Dennis was therefore dis
charged.