Daily Republican., 1886-05-28
THIRD EDITION.
The Plerson Case.

Justioe and Associate Judges Wootteu Z
and Houston took their seats on the
bench, and Immediately after CrieI
Smith declared the Superior Conri
opened.
MT. Nields stated that he would with
draw his objections to the policy OF in
surance for 50, 900 on the building be-
ing offered as evidence, and also sale
that he was willing to let any paper BIZ
submitted that the Judges thought
should go before the jury.
II. g. Christy was recalled by MIR
Bird and asked what value be estim ateo
the building No. AL West Front street
at. but upon Mr.. Nields ohjectinR and
the objection being sustained by the
court, the witness withdrew, and Mr..
Bird said he would reet his Gaze.
William 81. Pierson, nephew OF
William ii. Piereon, the plaintiff, wss
called by Mr.. Niolds in rebuttal, and
testified that his cousin Frank was Will
him all the day that the FIRE occurred,
and that they were not out OF the house
until evening, when they walked as tar
as Fourth and Tatnall streets, and were
In that vicinity when the alarm OF ire
was sounded. Frank had sore foot,
and they spent the greater part OF the
day in his room.
Anna w. Hendrickson was sworn, |
and testified that she is an aunt OF
Frank Pierson. She remem oered the
Sunday of the FIRE, and knew that Frank
was at home at his fathers all day, asl
she was also at the house. He did notl
20 out until evening.
Frank Pierson was recal, ed, and testi
fed that the Sunday when the fire oc'
CURED he was at his home, No. S31
Washington street, all day, ana did net
10 out until 6.45 O'Clock in the evening.
William II. Piersou was recalled, aud
testified that he did not set fire TO hlsi
building, neither did he get any one to-
do it for him. About 8 o'clock he went
with his son George O. Piersou, and his
nephew Elmer, to the factory. He
wanted to get key, and the bcEs
MIXED the COW; they had a pail and
carried the milk home in 1t. He was
not In No. 42l, neither were the boys,
as they went In No. 419 and through to
the stable. After going home he went
to vacant house, belonging to him, at
No. 1923 West Eighth street. BE was
accompanied by his wife, and while he
was. in this ihouse George Roberts
and his wife came In.
When they came out of this house
his wife went into Mr.. Roberts mouse
and got drink Of water, and they then
set out the front door for some time,
About o'clock there was q clap OF
thunder and the witness, thinking o
storm WAS coming, took his wife and
went home. He heard the alarm OF
fire about 20 O'Clock, but did not &c
for some time afterwards, as he had nc
idea that 1t was his place. There wAs
no fire in his building, and nothing
that could cause spontaneous combus
ton.
Elmer Pierson was sworn, and stated
that he is nephew of the plaintiff. He
corroborated the testimony of the pre-
vious witness in regard to his VISIT 10
the factory that fateful Sunday after
noon, and was positive that during the
time he was in the factory VIM. 81.
Pierson was rot in No. 42l at all,
George G. Pierson, son Of the plain.
tiff, was also called to the stand, and
corroborated the testimony Of the pre-
vious witnesses in reference to tEeil
visit TO the factory on the sunda.
afternoon of the fire.
On crosse animation Mr.. Birc
asked the witness: ''Were you watch
ing your father all the time you wer
milking2"
'I was" answered the witness.
''Now, sir, what were you watching
your father fuI?" inquired the counsel
''To see that he kept the htea en-,
promptly reioined the witness
The answer caused considerable
laughter among the ap'clstoss, II
which the counsel on both sides, snd i
fact almost every ono in the room, ex
cept William II, Piereon, the plaintiff
joined. The witness was certain tbs
neither his father. his cousin or himse
were in that raIt OF the building Thcr
the fire 10 alleged TO lave broke oot.
William Ii Pi-re3n, the plaintiff
nephew, his sou Frank and Mtss Hel
dricksou all ,eetifed TO The time win
Mr.. Pierson and the boys csme hon
from the factory that Sunday aftarnoo
and the fact of hla going cut with h
wife in the evening.
Theodore SlrAIton was sworn, al
testified that be- saw Mr.. Pierson a.
his wife going out West Eighth sire,
between Il aud O. clock, the evening
the fire.
Agnes Robinson teetifed that t.
days after the tire Mrs. Mc0auliey, u
lived Oh the corner OF Front ard YVES
ington streets, came iEto her hou'e ?
said that the fire had ofisiL stsd IL 30
old clothes in ueT houee, and was 2Aud
by the children playing With match
As she told me witness that sic II
lost all her clothing, tue ai;L ees Ga
her some. On cross examination, I
witness mainjaiued that Mrs. MEGA
ley told ter taaV tue h;a originated
her house.
George Robinson was eWoru, q
testified that he heard Ma McGaul
when she said that the tre had \,
caused in her house - the Ckild,
playing with matches,
Tilghman Bncersoa also j I'D
tell Mrs. Robinson abouE the frp, q
corroborate6 the previous witues,
Henry R0biuson Wss caled to pr
character for william Il Pi@TSan, v
Mr.. Bradford objected, and tbs y
ness left the stsLd, ar Nields reias
ing that he would hold the subisct Q
fol- argument.
Edwin H Gegley, of the firm
Heald & Co, asents for the osfnsl
the HuutsberKer Building, testi
that Pierson rented SBd took poSs' s
of the lower flycr OF that build ling Il
August 31st, 1882 He bad Aot r@i
the upper pGrt of the building ,
after the SIRE, aud bad * right 70 rs
Taylor Boz er, a boy, was swogn
testified that he resides in Philsf e. T
and was on a viFiE to VIM II Pie
the week before the FIRE. On FhuT'
of that week he hoiped GB cad n pa
car OF mill work at tao Hautsbe
Building, and finished it on FRI
He was positive there wAS no mill =
in the HuntG6eszer Building pres
to Thursday. Gu Saturday rev
loads were hauled there from the
tory.
John Cornish testified that he