New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-05-01
INCENDIARISM SUSPECTED.
THE MYSTERIOUS BIG BROOKLYN FIRE.
4, R. sTovER CLOSELY QUESTIONED ny TER FIRE
NARsHAi-To NIX INVESTIGATED.

Z. R. sTovER CLOSELY QUESTIONED ny TER FIRE
MARsHAL-To NIX INVESTIGATED.
Fgre Marshal Lewis began yesterday searching
Investigation IN regard TO the causes OF the mysterious
fire which broke out In the drygoods store OF + X
Slower at Bedford ave- and South Eighth-s. Brooklyn
r. d., on Sunday and destroyed property worth about
1000 in ono Of the best blocks of the business
centre Of that part OF the city Police Commissioner
Fell was ono OF those who passed the store few
moments before the fro broke out and everything about
II was all right. He not three blocks away when
the flames appeared and In half hour the walls OF tho
building about to fall. He said yesterday that
the matter must DO most carefully looked into, and
Mr. Slower was promptly summoned to Police Head
quarters.
"Iwant to know and must know all the facts about
the origin Of the fire. the Commissioner said to Mr.
Slower. Tho Fire Marshal subjected him to close
examination, which developed two important facts,
namely that Mr. Slower, who conducted tho business
alone, tho last person in the store before the
fro and that his liabilities about $4,000 and his
stock books were all burned His statement was to
the effect that no went to Brooklyn from Troy about
four years ago and started his store three years
ago last September. conducting II In his
own name. Ifo employed seventy-hve people Tho
Waterman was Matthew Mahoney, who had been
recommended by insurance companies and was on duty
from 6 80 p. m until q m. He regularly punched
the detective clock In the store. There was no fro
an explosion when tho fire broke out there was
q sound ike an explosion.) The building was lighted
with gas aud electricity and steam heat was obtained
from Smith, Gray Co.'s store nearby.
There were many rats in the place and parlor
matches wero kept for lighting. but no sulphur ones
The net valuation Of the stock, according to MI
stovers statement, was 100000 and tho furniture
was worth $4,000. Tho rent was $4,000 year, run
ming expenses and the sales for the last year
$3.50 OOO Tho stock books were undcr the book
keepers desk as there was room for them in tho
safe and they werc burned. On Sunday morning Mr.
Slower said he went to the store and let himself In with
duplicate key to send of checks as was his custom.
He remained there alone ten minutes and mailed two
chocts, and then went to Coney Island.
"what were your liabilitlesl" asked the Fire
Marshal.
Mr. Slower hesitated and said no did not believe
he could tell. Then no told to state as near as
he could and he said they about $4,000 He was
advised to have some ono from the Nev-York Board
OF Fire Underwriters present when he opened his safe
and he said no would but he expressed doubt whether
tho safe had preserved anything from tho fire Fire
Marshal Lewis said afterward: That IRE was never
the result of natural causes and 1t has queer LOOK
propose to call in the Waterman and several others
to examine and get OF tho bottom OF the matter ~,
though Slower his stock was worth Sloo,Ooo ana
his liabilities $4,000. am told by people VINO
ought TO know that everything In the store was not
worth moro than $4,000. The police reported the
loss on his stock at 100000"
INSURANCE ON THE BURNED PROPERTY.