The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-04-11
THE NEWHALL DISASTER.
Beginning of the Trial of Schelier for Set
ting Fire to the Hotel.

MILWAUKEE, April 10.-The trial of George
Scheller, charged with setting the Newhall
House on fire and causing the awful catas-
trophe OF January 10 last, by which almost
one hundred human beings were sacrificed,
was opened in the Criminal Court this morn
ing, three months to the day from the date
of the conflagration. Great interest was
eyinced on every side, and long before the
time set for beginning the courtroom was
crowded. The prosecution was represented
by District Attorney Clark and P. J. Somers,
city attorney, while the counsel for the de-
tense appeared in the persons of JEFF Nc
Kenney, former district attorney, and W. H.
Ebbetts Scheller was the center of all
observation when brought into court. He
was rather pallid from long and close con-
finement but looked feshier than when ar
rested, and carried himself confidently and
calmly. The days proceedings were confined
to the securing of jury, and were accord
ingly without interest. Contrary to general
expectation the whole jury was impaneled
before final adjournment this evening. 1t
was believed that at least several days would
be passed before both sides would be satisfied
in the selection, but the counsel being held
to only four challenges, better progress
was made than was looked for. The princi-
pal cause for the release of Jurors was
having an opinion, which was sufficient, out
side OF challenge, to excuse them. The
twelve men drawn are: James H. Dean,
farmer; Peter Schumacher, millman; Henry
Surges, storekeeper; Charles Bevering, cigar
maker; g. W. burlington, travelling agent;
Louis Nieson, stonecutter; Sydney Mansfield,
grain Inspector; Eddison Harpher, farmer;
Henry Rose insurance agent; Charles Dud-
ley, bookkeeper, of the Milwaukee & st.
Paul railroad; Frederick Parnger, saloon
keeper, and Meder Perringo, grammar.
After completing the panel the court ad-
Journed to tomorrow morning, when the ex
ami nation of witnesses will be entered on.
The aim of the prosecution will
be to establish that Scheller's financial en-
barrassment led him to seek relief through
the destruction of his place under the hotel,
and so secure the insurance, which was
heavy, while it is intimated that evidence
will be offered to prove that Scheller was in
his saloon but a short time before the fire
broke out. The defense claim to have little
but direct testimony to offer, relying mainly
on the failure of the prosecution to connect
Scheller with the incendiarism, and so bring
about his acquittal on technical grounds.
George Scheller is of German extraction
He was born in Wurtemburg, Germany, in
1913, and came to Detroit with his parents in
1852, when only four years of age. His boy
hood years and the early years of his man
hood were passed,in that city. He graduated
from one of the Detroit union schools and,
when about sixteen, attracted the attention
of Major Biddle, who took him into his en-
ploy on the Crosse Isle property, where in
few years he was promoted to the entire
management. Major BidGle seeing that
Scheller was bright, steady and industrious,
sent him to Goldsmith's Business College,
,,ryl.o 81, h /
was then made clerk in the Biddle House,
and when Mr.. Antisdel took possession he
was made head clerk and cashier, in which
position the new proprietor retained him.
Upon removing to Milwaukee to take charge
of the Newhall House, Mr.. Antsdel brought
Scheller with him IS chef clerk, which posi-
ton he held for eight years. A little over a
year ago, however, he was shocked to learn
that Scheller, whose previous record had been
most excellent, was drinking hard and gamb-
ling, and that he had Speculated and lost
money on'Change. He demonstrated with him
and received an assurance of better behavior.
But Scheiler failed to keep the promise, and
accordingly was deposed from his position
in the hotel office. Previous to this occur
renee Scheller had leased the bar and billiard
room of the hotel and put his father-in-law
in CHARGE and on losing the clerkship he
took charge himself The compulsory re-
tirement of the father-in-law from the hotel
followed later. AT the expiration OF ANUS
dels lease last Nav he refused to let Scheller
have the bar and billiard room again, but
the latter caused him to relent, pleading that
he had so much stock on hand, and was so
far in debt that that removal meant absolute
ruin. Schellers drinking and gambling hab-
its grew upon him. despite the efforts of An
tisdel, and on the day previous to, and night
Of the fire he is known to have been very
much under the influence OF liquor. In APP
pearance Scheller is a man about five feet
nine inches high, with light complexion and
light mustache and hair. He weighs at
present perhaps 175 or 1870 pounds, being in
much better condition than before his arrest
His features stamp him as the man of few
words that he is, and also bear the quietim-
press of quiet determination and great de-
cision of character in matters appertaining
to business He is pleasant and approach
able man, Notwithstanding his apparent re-
ticence in speech.