New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-06-29
PLANS TO BURN A BUILDING.
ONE ARREST MADE BUT THE POLICE ARE
PUZZLED.
OIL FoUND-wHo rs GUILTY AND WHAT
WAS THE MoTIvEf

Fire Marshal Mitchell and the police Of the Mercer
ST. station we're pulling yesterday over apparent
attempt to burn up the knickcrbocker Conservatory
at No. Al West Foureenth.st The conservatory
has been run by three young unmarried men. John
L. McMurray Charles Gicgler and Charles DorfnG
who started loss than two years ago. In tho second
story, French & Boughton's clothing store. -
the dancing academy or ballroom. and 1t takes up
nearly tie entire floor. The third door Is divided
into recitation and retiring rooms McMuray and
Dorng have slept together in 9 room on that floor
Gcgler has lived with Ids parents and brother on the
fourth floor. where also IS tho Office OF the Everost
Folding Bed Company. Persons living on the upper
floors would have no means OF escape except the
stairway IN case Of fire.
Soon after a n. yesterday Giegler called the
police into tho building and said attempt he'd
been made TO burn up the place. In the hatroom
on the third floor were heaps Of papers. soaked With
oil from lamps which had been broken. Kerosene
had bean spilled also Oh the shelves OF tho adjoining
~oneHs retiring room, and In the middle OF the room
was heap Of chairs, books and loose papers. ovee
which oil had been thrown. GIcgler said there had
been dance IN tho room the second floor on
Thursday night and II lasted until nearly midnight
lie accompanied two OF tho pupils to their homes
after the dance. and Il was nearly / a. m when hs
got back To tho building. On going up to the third
MOOR ne saw the preparations for FIRE McNurray
and porns were in bed toC~thcr and appeared to
10 aSko!. They expressed a,tOnishmcnt whom they
lJoEcu INTO the Edi-lJOm and rculing room.
McMurray has been tho financial manager Of the
conservatory and Las been employed every day IN
the law 1Hicc Of aldo IIutckns. at No. 80 WallSk
lic told tho police that the pianos and other furnlturo
n the conservatory were Insured for g.. 900. The
police found Lot OF books belonging to McHurray.
giving the value Of each book They thought that
Of McMurrly's answers 10 questions were not
satisfactory AID tley arrested him on suspicion. At
the Jefferson Msihet Police Court he was Iemanded
for examination today.
Al the Mercer st. station yesterday afternoon 1t
was said that II an attempt really had been made to
bum tic conservatory McMurray probably was inn0-
cr:r. lo Is a good looking yougg man and he talked
with apparent irankncns about hts partners and his
arrest, aging: have hal serious trouble with
boring aud GieIler and have considered them friendly.
Incy owe mo about 900. a / was obliged to put IN
extra money TO sustain tho enterprise last year.
Larly TIE rvatory has been pay Ing. l know
nOhh; about the alleged plot to destroy the place.
After the daUrc last night alOno IN the Office
for about half hour. Then Dor.ns came In and
vent 10 ted. J was fast asleep when GIcgler re-
turned to the building When awoke Dortng was
standing IN tho hall, PARTY dressed. asked him
answer but at length sad that G!rgier had returned.
Then Gi"glcr appeared and asked mo 10 look into
the rooms whcr' the oil had been spilled. I was
dumbtouu!cd and hardly knew what 10 say. Possibly
outside enemy had tried 70 burn UP with the
en- ~"T atOrv, but have suspicion that one OF my
partners or both. had panne! 10 throw suspicion
upon aud force our Of the business This
rSarrin1On u MCNlurray VIII 60 on Ut the Jaiersou
NarEst Court this morning.