Louisiana capitolian. (Baton Rouge, La.) 1879-1881, 1880-11-20
CONVICTED IN FRANCE.
THE FATE or A FAST MAN OF NEW
ORLEANS.
the eye!
From the N. Q. Picayune.l

this issue, states that a man named
Jean LIE Leinare has been convicted in
Paris of arson, and sentenced to fifteen
wears in the hullis; that during the pro-
gress of the trial evidence was ELECTED.
going TO show that LIE Neindre had
prior to 1870, resided in this city, where
he had acquired quite competency by
setting fire to establishments which he
owned, and insured far above their
value, and obtained the amount OF in
surance enriching himself at the ex'
pense of the various companies, which
happened to be so unfortunate as to be
favored by the incendiary.
The name LIE Neindre is strange
one in che annals of incendiarism in New
Orleans, and diligent inquiry, among
those best calculated to know, failed to
to reveal his identity. But the name is
presumed to be an assumed one, and it
doubtless is, in which case, in lieu of the
description of the criminal, conjecture
,lone can be set at work, and the SINH
...,;ty of LIE Neindre's crime with Others
of the same kind in this city appears to
prove that when LIE Neindre was in
New Orleans he was known by the
name of J. A. De Rocha.
Assuming this to be correct, a short
history of that celebrated iucendiary
would prove Of interest and prelude
to the sequel containing an account of
his tardy punishment
During the year 1868, spaniard or
Cuban, named J. A. De Rocha, occu-
pied magnificent saloon on the bonle
ward Canal, known as the Aason
Blanche The proprietor was quite D
handsome man, about i've feet seven
inches in height, piercing black eyes
and raven hair. He was 1.-THE and &C
! tive in his every movement, nervous
and fdgety. He was Of polished
exterior and could make himself very
agreeable. Being fond of Il fast life he
gave full bent to his inclinat!ons. The
ground floor of the Maison Blanche was
occupied as a bar-rOom aud liquor
saloon, the second floor as a gambling
saloon.
One night the interior OF the building
was found on fire, and notwithstanding
all efforts was totally destroyed. De
Rocha had effected large insurance on
his stock and fixtures, and although the
origin of the fire was attended with very
suspicious circumstances, the amount
was promptly paid without demur De-
Rocha shortly after this episode con-
cluded to change his businessman with
the money he bad received from the
insurance he laid in stock Of dry goods
and opened store on Charities, between
Touluse and st. Louis streets, the loca-
ton being strange one for that kind
of business, and De Rocha having again
effected an enormous insurance on his
stock, 1t was decided by the various
companies, whose policies he held, that
he would bear close watching. Capt
John Youennes and Jack Adams, then
fire inspectors, were entrusted with this
delicate job, and to secure its success
they secured the services of the best de.
tectives in the city.
Messrs. Smith lizard, Thomas Boylan
and Mike Farrell were secured, and at
work they went. Every movement of
the suspected man was closely watched,
and be was discovered purchasing a
fuse. Then their eXerti0ns were re-
doubled and a still closer watch set
upon DeROcha. The detectives were
now in possession of DeRocha's inten
tions, and man wss placed in the
building opposite, known as the Stran-
gers Hotel.
The night on which the attempt was
to be made approached, and the three
detectives stationed themselves at the
corner of Toulouse and Decatur streets
to await thu signal of their agent who
was to notify them when DeRncha left
the store
At four minutes after s, the signal
was given and the officers broke open
the doors aud entered They found a
time fuse which would take about three
hours to burn ere it reached the com
bustible material it was designed to ig-
mite. Several boxes of matches were
scattered loosely on table and in close
proximity was large can of coal oil.
The officers arranged matters so that no
accident could carry ont DeRocha's de-
signs, and closing the door they went
to DeRocha's house, on Ursulines, be-
yond Claiborne street.
Allowing about three hours time to
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