Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-09-11
A MAN AT1RE z.
Ssosasioual ImciAsas ~ the work.
hoase-A Kerosene soaked Prisoner
In . BlR1e.

Yesterday there was Q sensational incident AT
the Washington Asylum. oswald c. Allen, an In
mate OF the workhouse. who suffered under the
suspicion OF being covered with vsrmin, was sub
1ected TO the usual treatment employed In such
cases-that is, he was given a sponge bath OF coal
oil This probably would have been forgotten In
. short time II II had not been for the fact that
some one applied q match TO Allen while he was
stark naked dripping with coal-oil. Allen was
suddenly all ablaze, and the incident caused much
excitement The flames were not extinguished
until Allen was severely burned about the hands
and back. The facts became known
to-day through the prompt report made OF
sides laying the facts before the Commissioners
and asking an Investigation. obtained warrants at
the Police court for Chas. Thomas. alias Williams
Patrick keefe and Edgar Davis the three men
supposed TO have been connected with the match.
Mr.. Stoutenburgh said TO q STAR reporter to-day
that he had satisfied himself that the affair was
an 1ll-advised Joke. He was sure that there was
no intent 70 DO injury TO Allen. The fscts as set
forth BY Mr.. Stoutenourgh in his oficisl report
mitted September for nfteen days on a charge OF
trespassing In park and on his arrival here found
70 be covered with vermin for which he was
bathed and treated ghls morning he was ex-
cused from work on account OF rheumatism, and
during the day II was discovered that he was still
unclean. Mr.. Arnold took the man 10 the base
ment, and gave Instructions TO one Edgar Davis. q
door man, TO rub Allen with kerosene OIL 10 Kill
the eggs deposited by the vermin. He ALLEN at
OUJeCttO, Uut altef Delns reasoned Win, SUD-
United 10 the treatment Mr.. Arnold watching the
operation until nearly completed, when. as he
states his attention was called 70 the upper floor
TOR moment, when he heard cries OF distress, and
running back, found Allen enveioped In flames
and several men trying TO extinguish them" Az
ter mentioning the names OF various witnesses 10
the AFFAIR, the report says: MAX Beck states that
as Davis finished his work he said, Now am done;
you can set him on nre,' and laughed when Keefe
struck match, LII his pipe, and handed the match
10 Chas Thomas. who also lit his pipe and then
put the match near Allen, when the OIL ignited.
Beck, who is an Intelligent German, states mis- be-
lief that all parties were In a joking mood, and
that no harm was meant The other witnesses
have expressed the same opinion. Allen was
taken 70 the hospital and the doctor says he ap-
prehends no serious effect from his injuries Mr.
Stoutenburgh expresses himself satisfied that
the affair was the result OF a mischievous joke
He does not think there was any neglect OF duty
on MI. Arnold's part, although he committed er-
rors in not reporting Aliens condition, In using
the Oil without adding two parts or water, as Is
the custom, and In leaving the man while under
treatment. Thomas and keefe he says, will De
prosecuted. He asks an investigation 10 place the
blame where II properly belongs