The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1876-03-31
ALLEGED ARSON.
EXAMINATION BEFORE THE BROOKLYN FRI
MARSHAL RELATIVE TO THE BAY RIDGI

EXAMINATION BEFORE THE BROOKLYN FIRE
MARSHAL RELATIVE TO THE BAY RIDGE
FIRE.
Tho investigation into the cause Of the destruction OF
the residence Of G. A. Fudcker. superintendent Of the
Mutual Life Insurance Company at Bav Ridge, l. l.,
was resumed yesterday before Fire Marshal Ready.
II will be borne mind that Mr.. Fudicker gave over
to the custody of the police one Charles Wendt who
had been employed by him coachman, alleging that
he believed the man had set the house on FIRE. Wendt
testified that the house had been nre
previously, Tuesday, March p. On that
day he drove Mr. Fudcker down tho
Bay Ridge boat at O'Clock A. NJ. he aiterward
went 10 the office of Mr. Fudcker in New York,
instructed and his return home he learned that the
house had been lire in the wine cellar, aud 1t had
been put OUT there was burned and boxes the
cellar oor Mr. Schnclng told the witness about the
fire. and SAID lac asked Mrs Fudicker for the key the
cellar aud him ihat her husband had The key
he then broke open the door and extngushed the
flames; witness said the FIRE, which occurred few
minutes after the departure OF his employer for New
YORK, could not have caught from the furnace On he
day the house destroyed. Monday last Wcndt SAID
he the cellar by Mr. Fudckcr to TX the
and to build large fire; he did as he directed
and when he left the cellar Mr. Fudcker was there;
he got out the horse and drove his employer To the
boat where he was not gone more than ten minutes;
on his return the house was on IRE In his hurry 10
depart Tor New YORK to notify Mr. FudIcker OF the
fire Wendt says he put on by mistake cost belong
ing TO his employer, and in the coat pocket he found
piece OF candle and box resembling match box.
When he was riding with Fudicker back to Bay
Ridge that gentleman put his hand into the pocket
OF the coat Wendt had on, and taking the candle
and the box. kept them.
Mary Ann Downey, n servant GIRL testified that she
Wcndt about O'Clock Monday morning
building a Are in the furnace and Mr.. Fudickcr was
not with him at the time she subs squcntly
smoke coming out eight feet from the fur
mace and she told Mr. Fudicker about it, who told
her throw water Oh II. Soon after that Wcndt
tered the kitchen and began TO swear and poke at the
fire
Mr.. Fudicker testified that he moved into the house
IN August last, i've years lease; he was to pay
nothing the first year. $500 the second year, $500 the
third $500 the fourth 5000 the sh he furnished the
house a of 81. 900 and insured for
So 500 III the Brewers and Maltscrs Insurance COM
pany, OF New York and IS, 5Oo in the Merchants, OF
Newark, y. j. the morning OF the last fire the girl
told HIM Wendt had Insuted her and he upbraded The
man tor dong so, notifying him at the same time that
he must leave his employ on April l; the girl, Mary
did call bis attention to the lire, before he went away
old barrel filled with hay. but he knew II put
out before LETT Mr. Fudcker denied the story told
by Wendt about finding candle and matchbox in his
pocket
Anna Wallace, OF Providence, r l., was sworn, but
her testimony not material Mr. Fudicker stated
that after The fire Wcndt nox lcatcd and he de-
handed $50 for clothing, which Mr. Fudcker refused
give him, but offered To buy him clothing to replace
that which was burned. Wendt then said in German
''You take care. know what l know" He asked
Wendt what he meant, but the man replied that he
would not tell
The investigation will be resumed ten o'clock this
morning