The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1889-12-15
TAFT TUNED LoosE.
rae Arson Charge Fails 20 Hol
water-Tsrt's story.

brought - a eIcse last night by the dis
charge OF the prisoner.
The demonstrations Of Tsrt's friends
-, "a. release we're very marked. They
tossed Their hats, and sho tied, and cheered
uu.i the attention Of psopls On the streets
wzs attracted.
Justico Russell held that while he dis
missed the warrant and discharged the pris-
oner. he believes that the prosecutor in
taking out the warrant acted In good faith
and did what be thought was bis o1ty rs a
good citizen
The cist Of the defense testimony was
principally to establish the good character
of Tart. Over a dozen respectable and
reliable citizens as witnesses were intro
duced by the defense. Among them were
J. z. GOODWIN, q turpentine operator
in Pierce county, VINO spoke OF Tart
as an honorable nan, and entirely
Trustworthy aud uthful. Supt. SeuSsT Of
the Belt Liue testified as to Iert's conlpe-
tcncy as a conductor, but he knew nothing
OF his private character. DR.. n A. Groth,
who attended Tart previous to the fire, said
that Tart paid prompts for his servica. He
considered hun TO be perfect gentleman.
Supt Cobb, Of the Tybee road. testified
as to the cd character Of Tart. he i'm
yeached the testimony-of Daily, the colored
boy. who swore that Tart was seen putting
~
the fire.
Supt. Drake, Of the Coast Line railroad,
coTroborated Supt. Cobb's testimony as TO
the character Of Daily.
Chief Fireman Puder testified that when
he arrived at the house the night of the fire
the doors and windows Of the building were
closed.
Capt. J. B. Withers was a volunteer wit
ness for Tart. He testified that ne consid-
cred him a truthful man He knew Tart
during his connection with Goodwyn's
turpentine still. Several other witnesses
were sworn and they testified generally TO
the good character Of Tart. Tarfs state
ment came last, ami It was an inter-
esting feature of the defense side.
He made his statement in very clear
manner He told all about the fire. and
what occurred subsequent to it De ex-
planned the valise matter by saying that he
brought the yelise TO the laundry with
some soiled clothes to have washed, and it
remained at the laundry after be was ar
rested, until upon his request 1t was
brought to him by friend, no coTrobor
Ated Tart's statement. Tart said that he
remained in bis room the night before
the fire, and about $50 o'clock, after read
ing for about three-quarters of an hour he
went to bed. He had been feeling unwell
that evening, and did not feel like sleeping
but after a while he went to sleep, and
when be was awakened be was nearly pros
trated by smoke. As soon as G recovered
fresh breath he called Tor Phinizy and
told him his room was on fire. Before
lie did so, however. he said that he had
some difficulty IN getting lis room door
open, as he did not know the night latch
was on. He explained the umbrella theJry
He said that he had taken the umbralla
out TO walk with, and went to q
lady's house, remaining there a lit
tie while. While he was in the
house the lady teased him about working
with street car company again aud he
told her that he was then or his way 10 10 Jk
for better position. The lady thea ex-
planned: why, you are looking like a
dude, what do YOU want an umbrella forF
He left the umbrella at the lady's house
and that Is toe reason why mann and
Malpheus did not see him return with it,
He had got leave from the street car com
pany 20 60 out and look for another posi-
rion, and he dressed himself for the trip in
his best clothes, tax ing the umbrella TO
walk with. de went TO the room where
Mann and Malphsus slept, to tell them Of
the fire and during the conversation which
ensued. he was asked by them whether he
was going to pay for the set of harness
which was burnt, aud which be told them
about.
This Tart was not willing to do, as be
could not prevent the fire. One of them
told him with an epitbst that Tart would
not get a cent Of his Insurance oney if he
did not, and that Mann and MaIpheus
would help the insurance people to keep
him from getting it. They then proposed
that he give than a part of the insurance
money, but Tart would not do It, He said
that ne did tell them about the burning
up of the harness. Mr.. Tart said thai
he did throw the basin of water which be
- e. ID zt,.s. u. g
did not throw his, but threw it in the fire.
place.
When he went out TO look for a position
he secured one with Mr.. Thorpe, the sew.
ing machine agent, and was going 70 take
1t Saturday morning, but the fire prevented
his doing 50. The nignt that he returned
10 his room, he went into tue Office where
he found Phinizy, and while there asked
a small colored boy who usually
hung around the Office to take Ratchet and
cut him some wood for hrs room with which
20 make fire. When he went into the
yard during tie night to go to q closet he
had conversation with the Waterman,
Martin, but denied that he had any con.
versation with the negroes Brown
and DAILY. who swore to the fact.
He said that he may have possibly told
Phinizy that he thought his lamp exploded,
and again that it may have been some
~h1hac VI diC III LIE tlT6plhCe TOinUg
down and catching the hghtwood which
was in the room He said that there were
no clothes lying on the wood or on the
toor, but there were some soiled clothe.
behind the trunk. In regard to the moving
of the trunk, he said that it as not moved
and that it occupied its usual place.
Tart said that be did all that he couid tc
save the effects of Phinizy and L. I. Miami
IL Co., and told colored man to run anC
tell the tireInen across the street about
the fire. He did not follow the negro mar
who went for water, as he die
not know whether he went for waite,
or not, and that he happened
to stumble against chair while in hi,
room, upon which his clothes were, and Il
was in that way he got them. He did no.
think a few buckets Of water could extin
guish the blaze, as the flames were cracking
and his room was full of smoke, so tina
no one could enter it. In refer
ring to the box which Phiniz,
claims to have found on the coloret
womans steps, where he was shelteret
for the night, he said that when he wa
IN his room he saw the box upon the
bureau, which is near the door. and he tool
II out and placed it in small desk, which
he saved out Of the Office. He said that 4
was to be left at the house where Phinizy
was, but, by mistake, was left at O colored
mans house. aud he went there for it and
brought it up to the house where Phiniz =
was stropping and left it on the steps. and