The daily gazette., 1877-05-15
Not Guilty.
THE HEARING OF WILLIAM BAIRD ON THE
CHARGE OF ATTEMPTING TO FIRE THE

THE HEARING OF WILLIAM BAIRD ON THE
CHARGE OF ATTEMPTING TO FIRE THE
OPERA HOUSE. Ht u .G4r--r
William Baird was arraigned last even
Ing at the Police Station, before His
Honor Mayor Whiteley, on the charge of
arson in atten pting to fire the Opera
House, during the temperance meeting,
on Sunday afternoon last. OF course such
a trial drew together large number of
people, the little office being packed al
most to suffocation, and so tight that IL
was lmpossi BILE for person to get either
in or out. The windows around the Of
hce were raised, and were beseiged by
an eager crowd of men and boys intent
upon hearing the testimony. The alley
way leading to the hall was also filled
while at least a hundred persons were
standing in front of the hall awaiting the
Mayors decision in the case.
The first witness called was Jesse X.
Baylis, manager of the Opera House,
who testified that on Sunday last while
sitting in his Office, he was informed that
there was fire underneath the auditor.
ium. He seized a KEY and started to go
down the stairs, and saw the people
rushing out in terrified manner. At the
bottom of the stairs he found the door
leading under the auditorium locked, and
forced it open. In going down he grab
bed bucket of water; soon discovered
where the fire was, and threw the water
on it which put it out 1t is fifty feet
from where the fire was to the steps lead
ing down from the stage. Did not see
any one down there; was informed after
wards that Mr.. Baird, was on the stage
but that he had left and gone down the
stairs leading to the dressing rooms,
L. A. Tighter, corroborated Mr.. Baylis'
testimony.
Thomas Bowen, testified that he was
in the Opera House, on Sunday last, saw
Baird standing on lower corridor about
four feet from the stage, the fire had then
broken out; saw no one with him then
but saw a man with him when the alarm
of fire was given. Th, place where the
fire broke out was i5 feet from where
Baird was standing; did not see him go
out.
DR.. Frantz, testified that he saw Baird
during that afternoon on the stage.
J. NJ Harlan, John H. Moore and
James j. Vincent, all testified as to Baird
being on the stage, they did not see him
down stairs.
Samuel johnson, testified-knew Mr..
Baird. On Saturday evening late L went
to the Institute Hall and sat back near
the door, Baird came, and l asked him
to sign the pledge, l got UP and walked
him toward the table, and he said that
he would not sign it then, but would meet
me on Sunday afternoon at 2 o'clock, at
the corner of Sixth and Market streets,
and go up to the Opera House. 1 was at
the corner at the appointed time, but he
was not there. / then started out TO his
house, and found him in bed, and after a
little talking, persuaded him to go with
me to to the meeting, When we arrived
at the meet we first sat in one of the win
dows, but In short time we went back
on the stage. He started to go down
stairs, but kept him on the stage, and
walked him around ende avonng to per-
suade him to sign the pledge. My at
tention being called to something l lost
sight of him, and it was not more than a
minute afterwards that the alarm of fire
was given; did not know what it was be-
cause l was engaged in talking to Baird
at the foot of the stairs. From the time
that lost sight of him until 1 saw him
again, and the alarm was sounded he had
not time to reach the point of fire.
Samuel Dillman and William H. Lee,
corroborated Mr.. Johnson's testimony.
There being no further witnesses the
Mayor said, that it was merely case of
suspicion, and the fact of it being Mr..
Baird, was not established, and would
| therefore dismiss the case.