Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1886-10-29
THE CAPITOL HILL FIRE.
Hearing In the Case Of Frederick Selby
on n Charge OF Arson.

frederick Selby, the timer, arrested on sus-
picion of having set fire to the stove store OF
William B. Marche, 223 Pennsylvania avenue
southeast, Monday night, causing Il e explosion
and injury to number of persons. was taken
10 the Police Court to-day, where he was charged
by Mr.. Marche with arson, 1t being alleged that
ne set hre to the building. Mr.. Lavender called
the case to the attention of Judge Smell and
the defendants counsel, o. s. B. Wal entered
plea of mot guilty" Sergeant Mulhall testi-
hed that on the night of the fire, about 11:30
O'CLOCK. while standing on the avenue not far
from the store, his attention was attracted TO
Mr. Marches store by seeing what appeared to
be two explosions. as though small quantities
OF powder had caught on fire. witne $ went TO
the hre alarm box and sent the officers to see
IL the place was on fire. They answered by
OioWing thelr whistles, and witness turned in
an alarm without moments delay. Witness
returned TO the store, and had been there but a
few moments when the explosion occurred.
Mr.. Marche testified that on the nj hit of the
hre he closed the store about 10 o'clock, leaving
no nre IN the building except gas jet, which
was left burning. The doors were all locked:
but one OF the windows in the rear OF the build
Ing was broken out. and the gasoline was alb ut
eight feet from the broken window. Witness
said there were nineteen gallons OF gasoline in
tue place when the fire occurred, and il was All
In one barrel. Witness SAID the defendant had
been in his employ about one week and he was
discharged. Witness found him i'm his twit-
nesso stable early one morning aud told him
(deit ndant that he had heard of threats made
by him, and that ii caught on the premises
again he would turn him over TO the police,
Witness said he discharged the defendant for
tntemperance.
+. p. Crimes, clerk in Marches store, testi.
fed that about a week after the defendant n
discharge he met him in Platz's saloon, where he
had conversation with him about some stories
which he complained had been circulated
about him. Selby was under the influence of
liquor During the conversation Selpy said.
"Mr. Marche has had his time; 1 am going to
have mine."
John Marshall, colored, employed at Platz's
saloon, near where the fire occurred, testified
that after the defendant was discharged he
heard him say, "The little bl,.st Mr.. Marche had
had did not amount 10 anything, but the next
one would On the night OF he fire, between
10 and O'clock, he saw the defendant i'm the
neighborhood Oh Mr.. Marches place, and also
saw 1ti, MIN While .i, the fire was IN n progress.
testified that he arrived at the burning build
ing about five minutes after the fire started and
Wnne tnere he saw the deiendant who said.
'Mr. Marche ha, tried 10 down me, and
would ike To See who is downed now. You
can tell Mr.. Marche SO If you wish" The de.
fendant Was under the influence OF liquor at the
time.
James Cochran. colored, employed in Mr..
Marches store, gave similar testimony.
Detective Raft testified that he arrested the
defendant the night aiIer the fire. and he said
OH the night OI the fire he with u man
named SOUL. Witness took Soni to the station
mouse and the prisoner then admitted that he
was mistaken; that he lett Sohi early in the
evening and went home about ten o'clock.
Witness tod him ne mad been seen at the fire,
fire with Glenn. Woodward, walking from his
home. pear Albuugn's tneaIer.
This closed the testimony Tor the prosecution,
and counsel lor the prisoner Called up several
witnesses 10 prove an aiibi.
HELD FOR THE GRAND JURY.
The judge said that il he heard testimony
proving an alibi he would be trying The merits
of he case, which this court could not do. The
judge referred to the testimony of the witness
Marshall as 10 hearing the conversation OF the
defendant as the strongest point in the te>ti-
mony, and neld the case Tor the action Of the
grand jury. Bonds were fixed at 81 ,UUU.
THE MEN INJURED AT THE FIRE
Officer Clements, vino was injured Al the Cap
itol Hill fire Monday night, was not SO we'll yes
terday, but to-day he is resting easier. Charles
Willard Shows no signs OF improving, and it is
thought will lose the sight of both eyes. Fire
man Nicholson is not yet out OF danger. Har-
ris. the cOiored express driver Is still confined
III PrOvIdeuce hospltul, and Is reported much
worse. Otner victims of the fire are reported TO
be getting better. --