St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1885-02-14
THE INCENDlARY FIRE.
Meyer Simons Arrested Charged with Trying
to Burn His Own Store.

Meyer Simons Arrested Charged with Trying
to Burn His Own Store.
Meyer Simons, the proprietor of a clothing
ana furnishing goods store at No. 800 East
Seventh street, was arrested by Detective
John O'Connor yesterday evening on the
charge of arson. The police have been
actively engaged on this case for several
days past as reported in the GLOBE, bat the
circumstances pointing to his guilt did not
seem positive enough TO warrant his arrest
until yesterday, when warrant was sworn
out by Chief Clark and placed in the hands
of the officer named.
The crime with which Simons is charged
was committed early last Tuesday morning
when the fire department was called to his
store, which was found enveloped in flames.
A few minutes OF sharp work sufficed TO
squelch the flames, and upon in
vestigation cunningy contrived
scheme at ipcendiarism was discovered.
A long train of partially burned lamp wick
saturated with oil and placed in proximity TO
light were found intact, and all the cir
cumstauces tended to show that deliberate
attempt had been mace to burn the store
and contents.
Inquiry developed the fact that Simous
carried II heavy insurance on his Stock and
with this clue a starter, the police and
fire department, together VITA well known
insurance agent, proceeded TO work up de-
velopm nts, sufficient circumstautal proof
having been discovered to justify his arrest.
On being locked up Simons was inter
viewed by GLOBE reporter, and
he was found quite communicative
In personal appearance he is about
lhirty-fve years of age, with black mus
tache, gray eyes and intelligent features.
AN INTERVIEW.
Responding to inquiries, he said that the
charge against him was false, aud that he
knew nothing about the case. He had re-
tired with his family as usual Monday night
and the store was all right when be closed
up, about 10 O'clock. He had arrived In St.
Paul from Duluth the 18th Of last September,
since when he had been in business at the
location indicated. He carried quite large
stock, worth about 81, 500 and 1t was ip-
surcd for $4,000, one additional policy for
$500 having been cancelled by him a month
ago
In conclusion he said: II am innocent
Of this charge aud think it is put up job
on the part Of enemies; have been robbed
n good deal lately, aud only short time ago
three men came into the store aud attempted
TO rob me; on leaving they swore that they
would fix me- ! have a wife and three chill
dren and hate this more on their account
than snything else"
In speaking OF the arrest Detective O'Con-
nor said that he thought they had a clear
case against him. There were two or three
strong points against him which they relied
NJ Ia n.1uw r. a VT nn Al NJ hfr,L
policy to state them for publication. They
expected to know a good deal more about
tue case to-day.
ANOTHER SUSPECTED FIRE BUG.
Harry Win born, a clean cut darkey with
sinister black eyes. jet black mustache
and teeth yiciously apparent in their milky
whitrness. was arrested by Roundsman
Hanft aud Officer Phil Gibbons last night on
the charge OF attempting to burn down the
residence OF Mrs Wood, No. 80 Cedar
street. As nearly as could be ascertained
Win6orn has been paying his respects to one
of the inmates at the Wood mansion, and
last night be called around and was given
the cold shake, the damsel having transferred
her affections 10 another sutton.
-Wiuboru fingered around the house and
about I 80 o'cIock be was seen coming out
Of the girls room. few minutes after
wards smoke was discovered issuing from
the room which vas found 10 be on fire. The
incipient blaze was put cut by the occupants
OF the house and ss the suspicious are
strongly against Winhorn, he was placed
under arrest. On being brought to city hail
be stoutly denied the charge. He was locked
up and will be accorded hearing to-day.