The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-01-25
THE ALLEGED FIRE BUGS.

ISAAC PERLsTEIN TEsTIFIES IN HIS OWN DE-
FENcE-HE DENIES THE STATEMENTS OF THE
PROSECUTION.
Now that the trial of Isaac Perlsten the charge
of in the first degree is drawing to close the
interest in the investigation and its result seems to
be on the increase. Judge Cowing took his seat on
the bench promptly at eleven O'Clock yesterday in
Part of the Court of General Sessions. which
crowded to the doors. The prisoner. beside whom
sat his wife, presented sorry spectacle his blanched
face, shaggy hair and dsordered apparel to say
nothing Of peculiarly wild expression about the
eyes, attracting anything but the favorable attention
of the spectators At the sitting OF the Court Fire
man Perley was recalled to the witness stand by
Assistant District Attorney Rollins, but nothing new
was elected from him.
PERI.sTEIN's EVIDENCE
The prisoner, Isaac Perlstein, then called to
the stand by his counsel Mr. Charles W. Brooke, in
answer to whose interrogatories he stated that he
was o pedler and that he lived ut No. % Market
street; he at his home on Sunday, the 10th Of
November. the night Of the fire, until four o'clock
in the afternoon; he went out to purchase some fish
for supper; he returned about six O'Clock and
manned at home all the evening, retiring at eleven
o'clock; his arrest took place the evening of the
l4th of November; he locked up in
cell all night; next morning Fire Marshal Sheldon
interrogated him. and although not Understanding
English very we'll lie answered the questions put TO
HIM the Fire Marshal wrote out statement which
he read to Witness and though he did not compre-
bend it he affixed his name to it, He further stated
that he told he would be imprisoned for life IL
he did not answer the questions. The witness was
cross-examined by Mr.. Rollins. He stated that he
was native of Poland and came to the United States
about years ago; he had been in Wikesbarre, Pa.
for some years and came TO this city about ten
months ago. He admitted having been arrested.
stating that boy had brought $l3 into his
house which he lost but the money was after
ward recovered. He denied having robbed an Italian
of $500 in February. 1875. Witness denied that he
knew Freeman had any acquaintance with him,
either socially or in a business point of view; he
denied that he was in his company twenty five times
between October II and November TO- or that he had
left No. 81 East broadway with him and Bernstein.
He also onied having been at the house OF Levy No.
IL Ludlow street. or of having any hand in setting
fire it. he witness) was insured, but never had 70
fire in his place The witness further stated that he
did not know anything about the fire at No. IL Lud
low street adding that he never was in that place,
and therefore could have no participation in the
crime alleged.
Brooke. She had been married twenty-thrce years.
aud had been residing in New York about ten months;
she remembered the day of her husbands arrest; on
the night the fire he ut home before supper,
after which he remained in the house all the evening
playing dominos with boardcr named jacob
BENJAMIN; her husbands sister. Jessie Cohn,
and several others were i'll the house all
the evening. On cross-examination the witness
stated that she could not remember any
other particular night on which her husband stayed
at home all the evening. though he had done many
times. Jacob Benjamin. Mrs. Coin, the prisoners
sister, his daughter Anna and Esther Rabmowitz
corroborated the evidence of the previous witness.
Harris Walford, who lived ut No. III Ludlow street.
testified that on the night of the fire 1t was he and
not Fireman PerIey, who broke into the burning
apartments. This concluded the testimony. and the
will be submitted to the jury to-day.