The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1874-07-17
The Canal Street Fire.
Examination Before Judge
LareSche.

| 1t will be remembered that on Sunda,
morning fire broke out in the dry good
store of L. Lange, 1913 Canal street, between
Dryades and Baronne streets, which did con
| siderable damage. At an examination as t.
the origin Of the fire yesterday morning befor
Justice Laresche, the following
| was elected.
leopold Lange s,oOrn-Kept the store No.
1872 Canal street, which was burned on Satur-
day might. Was told that the fire caught
between ! and 2 o'clock last Sunday morning
heard it for the first time about O'Clock
same morning. Left on Saturday night at
usual hour. Locked the store myself and
took the key home No one Of the clerks had
a key. No fire in the store during the day.
The upper part Of the building was empty
The house could be entered very easily from
the rear. My stock was insured for Sl2, 500,
and the fixtures for $1,000. Cannot tell ex-
actly what stock l had in there without the
books. There was about $4,000 or SIS, 900
worth.
Started business about three months ago. J.
NJ. Sotomayer purchased the goods and
stocked the store, but could not pay for them,
so took them. Do not know how the fire
originated. No one slept in the store at the
time. had slept there some days previous
| remained there two or three nights with
gun, because there had been an attempt to
blow open my safe.
There is duplicate key to the store, but it
is in my possession. Understood Sotomayer
he'd left for Texas, but have learned that he
was in the city on Friday. After the fire l
employed two detectives. Messrs. Pecora and
Ruiz, to find out whether he was in town or
npf He had Threatened yanuaanra ~, ma ~
some Kind because published many of the
robberies he committed. He obtained great
many goods under false pretenses.
Jas UdAdce-Have sold MIR. LANCE con-
siderable goods, but do not know the amount.
The books alone will show. Do not know
how much he owes me now.
E. PeWour-NIr. LANCE has purchased dry
goods from me. Owes me now about $4,000
The goods We're sold to Sotomayer, and as he
did not pay for them were transferred to Mr.
LANCE. The bill was to be settled by the pay
ment of 5000 monthly Two notes have
fallen due ana been taken up. There is none
due nov.
H. VI. Poas-Was in the employ of Mr.
Lange up to July 1st; know nothing about the
fire. The doors were secured with good locks
". r. B0nHoton Have been and am in the
employ Of Mr.. Lange. Passed ,the store on
the night Of the fire quarter after II o'clock
There appeared to me to be unusual light
inside, but on looking through the small glass
IN the door saw nothing unusual. Did not
try the lock
G. ", Banker Am IN the house of Wal
lace Co. have sold Mr. LANCE some Sl4,-
900 worth Of goods he owes us about
Sl2, OoD; his obligations have always been met
promptly: know of none past due.
Several clerks and statesmen in the store
We're examined, as well as Mr. Seebold who
occupies the adjoining building, but nothing
was elected.
Arlttony Hopkins s,oorn-Am private watch
man: was at the corner Of Canal and Baronne
streets about four or five minutes before the
fire; had passed the store of Mr.. LANCE about
lite minutes before; saw nothing unusual |
here could have been no fire there when |
passed, or would have smelled the le;
vent to the back alleyway, and for III the |
gate leading to the yard of the store open, but |
he door was fast.
The fire seemed to have originated under
he stairway. When the door was broken !
pen the fire was only in the 'front.' around the
ta'rs, but it spread quickly.
Antoine Anglade-Know Sotomayer: saw a |
nan some two or three days before the fire
Tho supposed was him.
The examination was continu. until Mon
ay next.