The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1883-04-14
Attempt % Burn The Montonr House.
Arrest and Commitment of the Accused.

Attempt 10 Burn the MOntOur House
On Monday morning last, between and
clock, as VIM. Chinn, servant of the Mon
tour House, this city, was passing the wash
house, just in the rear of the hotel, he dis
covered flames issuing from the building.
Upon opening the door he found the room
full Of smoke, and upon looking about to as
certain from whence it came, observed that 4
fire had been kindled under the steps leading
to the second floor. He called assistance,
and the fire was soon extinguished. That the
fire was of incendiary origin there was no
room to doubt The fireplace was on the OPP
posite side of the room, and there had been
no fire in the building since the Friday pre-
vious. The fire discovered under the steps
by the servant was started with rubbish and
wood. 1t had burned but little when discov-
cred, and but for the timely discovery con-
fagration as disastrous as the one that &C.
Cured Monday night on the opposite side of
Main street must have resulted. AS the char
acter of the fire proved that 1t was the work
of evil disposed persons, officers Matthews
and Macintosh took the case in hand. Learn
ing that one Allen loop, colored, had been
ordered out of the Montour House by the pro-
pretor, Thomas B. Bond, on account of being
impudent, he was arrested on suspicion. A
colored woman, Joanna Green, with whom
TOop was intimate, was also arrested.
The accused had a hearing before Justice
G. w. Crapster on Thursday afternoon at two
O'Clock.
Mr.. Thomas b. Bond testified that he is the
proprietor of the Montonr House; that the
wash-house is Just back of the main building,
between it and the stable; that on Monday
morning he saw under the stairway in the
wash-house that there had been a fire, which
had been extinguished, and long pieces OF
charred wood lying on the floor; that Joanna
Green, who had been employed at the hotel
went home on Saturday evening and did not
come back, although sent for on Sunday; that
there had not been any trouble with Green;
that Jim johnson was doing some work fol-
him on Friday last, and employed Allan loop
to assist him. that loop came to him and
wanted money, and he told him that he 1.-THE
witness) had not employed him; that he must
look to Jim for the money, and told him to
leave the house, which he did, that he had
not heard loop make any threats. .
VIM. Chinn, living at Mr.. Bonds, testified
that between I and o clock Monday morn.
ing he saw smoke issuing from the wash house
door; that he found lot of wood and paper
on fire under the stairway, and, having called
for help, two women, boy and a man came
to his assistance and put out the fire; the paper
had been in the wash-house for some time,
but the wood was put there by whOmever the
fire was made; he did not see Green nor loop
that day; heard no threats.
Thee. Black testified that he rose before 6
o clock on Monday morning, fed the horses
and went into the house; that about 6.45 o.
clock he saw woman in the kitchen and
thought it was Green; that on Friday even
ing, as witness and Mr.. Ed. Hoppe were tray
cling along county road, they met loop,
who was little drunk, and he said that he
had been at work and Jim would not pay him,
and that he was going back to whip him, and
that he had had fuss with Mr.. Bond who
ordered him out of his house, but that he
could not say anything to a man in his own
house.
Willie C. Wheeler testified that Oh Monday
morning, between six and seven o'clock, he
went to the Montour House for slop; that he
saw woman walking around in the wash
house; saw her under the steps where the
paper was, STOPPING down; it was the woman
who lived at Mr.. Bonds, but did not know
her name at that time. The witness then
identified Green as the woman.
Mr.. John T.. Cassell testified that he saw
Toop and Daniel Warfeld talking together ON
Friday or Saturday; that he stopped and asked
what was the matter, and loop said that he
had been working with Timber Jim; that Mr.
Bond or his father employed him; that he had
a difficulty with Jim and went to Mr.. Bond to
settle, and he ordered him out of the house;
Toop then said he would get even with the
James johnson, commonly known as Linn
Der JIM" testified that he employed loop to
help him do some work; that on Friday even
ing loop wanted money, and witness told him
he would pay him when he was paid himself;
Toep said he would see Mr.. Bond about it.,
and went into the hotel, and came out in n
few moments, and, with an oath, said 'Ill fix
him.
Mr.. John A. Macintosh testified that he and
Mr.. X. G. Matthews arrested Green and loop
about 10 O. clock on Monday; that Green said
that neither she nor Toop had been out of the
house that morning until the time of their ar
rest
For the defense Lettie Jones testified that
Green and loop boarded with her on Union
street, the girl sleeping with her, and loop IN
another room; that she locks ToOp in his room
at night; that on Monday morning witness left
home at $50 clock, and at that time both
loop and Green were in bed.
Fanny Dorsey testified that she saw Green
in bed at Lettie Jones' house at seven o clock
on Monday morning, and loop standing in
another room in the same house.
Justice Crapster did not consider that an
alibi had been clearly proved, and held loop
for the sum of $3.50 and Green for 81 900, and
in default of security committed them to Jail
for the action of the grand jury.