Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1890-12-18
HELD FOR arson.
william Mcpherson TO Stand Trial fol
Firing Bush's Warehouses.

Firing Bush's Warehouses.
William Mcpherson, blacksmith in
the employ of George w. Bush & Sons,
was arrested at noon ON Friday last by
Detectives w. I. Jones and II. 3. Vande-
grilt, for attempting to set fire to Bush's
freight warehouse and coal sheds on the
French street wharf.
He was taken 10 the police station, where
he remained until o'clock Friday night
when he was released on 81 800 bail for his
appearance at municipal court Saturday
morning, James i, Ratledge becoming his
security.
When Mcpherson's name was called on
Saturday, Harry Emmons, ESQ, stated to
Judge Ball that he had just been consulted
as McPhersOn's counsel, and not having
had time to talk with him or to secure any
witnesses, asked continuance of the cnse.
The case was therefore continued until
Monday evening. at O'clock and McPher-
son was held in 1000 bail for his appear
ance. James p. Ratledge and Hugh NJ
Mcpherson, his brother, became his bonds
men.
Some time ago fire was discovered in
Bush's coal yard, along the King streets
side, where the blacksmith shop is stu
ated. 1t was eStinguished. Similar fires
followed on several occasions near the
same place. Fortunately all We're discovered
and eXtingrished before any damage was
the detectives were put on the case. The
Bushs did not suspect any Of their EN-
ployes as their mutual relations were Of
the hest. Pieces of waste that had been
soaked i'll Kerosene were found in the yard.
The blacksmith was suspected, as the waste
was the same rs that used in his shop.
Detective Jones secreted himself near
the blacksmith shop, ON Friday morning,
and awaited developments. Mcpherson
came ont of the shop about II o'clock and
went quietly beneath a shed near by
which was filled with cord-wood In
moment smoke appeared and Mcpherson
returned to the shop but the fire went out.
The blacksmith then made another at
tempt. He went to barrel of grease in
the shed and put something in it, probably
waste. Smoke appeared again and Me-
Pherson ran back to his shop, got a wrench
and getting under wagon went to work.
Emanuel Gooding eolored, Mcpherson's
helper came up at this time and saw the
smoke. Both ran to the shed and Nc
Phcrson went in and put the cover on the
barrel, which smothcred the fire.
Detective Jones hurried to I'lishs office
and returned to the shop with Walter ID.
Bush, G. NJ. ID. Cam, John II. Turner, the
coal dealer, and Detective Vandegrilt, who
had been ON watch in another part of the
yard. Mcpherson was accused of starting
the fires and arrested.
"A DltNt VI tiiiIIttl Waste Was iOuIlt III
the shed, from whence the smoke first APP
peared. Another piece Of charred waste
was found in the grease barrel. 1t is be
lieyed that the pieces of waste found about
the yard, had been placed SO as to be easily
fired.
The members of the firm of George w.
Bush Il Sons cannot conceive Of any mo-
tive that Mcpherson can have for making
the attempts to burn them out 1t is pos
sible that he has a monomania for fires.
The penalty for attempting arson is $500
fine and two years imprisonment.
Mcpherson is about 36 years of age and
is married. George W. Bush & Sons have
employed him as II blacksmith for about
four years. lie lives on the Highlands, in
which locality he was brought up. He
spent two years i'll the west in the army,
and bears poor reputation for truth and
veracity.
Mcpherson, was given hearing in the
municipal court, on Monday evening, and
held in S2,0O0 bail for the court of general
sessions.
Several witnesses were examined. Wal
ter D.. Bush, member of the firm of
George w. Bush a. Sons, testified that
Mcpherson had been in the FIRMS employ
for four years. For a year past a success
sion of unaccountable small fires about the
property had annoyed the firm. Since
November 18th there had been IA of these
fires about the King street part of the
property, where MCPHERSON was employed.
The first, which was the most dangerous
occurred near the blacksmith shop and
close to an old stable, Three days later
there was another fire in the same place
and the same day still another in wagon
shed. All were extinguished before any
serious damage was done.
On November 18th there were three fires,
one in the carpenter shop and two in the
tttnf y,,1a 81 In ,l,sa,s How
were three more fires, and three days later
two more, all in the wagon shed. On De-
cember 18th there We're two more fires in
the same place. Old waste, saturated in
oil and placed in dangerous places, started
all of the fires. They all took place be
tween O'Clock, in the morning, and 2
O'Clock, in the afternoon. After those on
December 18th detectives were employed.
Harry Emmons, ESD. McPhersons
counsel, cross-examined Mr. Bush. He
had plan of the ground and buildings
which had been fired Mr.. Bush said that
Mcpherson had been consulted in the
matter of employing u detective. He was
considered 4 Trustworthy man and the firm
esteemed him. He had helped to put out
several of the fires and apparently worked
hard.
George NJ. ID, Cam, superintendent for
George W. Bush g. Sons, said that he had
been present at several of the fires and was
at the last He saw dense smoke and
burning waste, Detective Jones notified
him of the first Believed that Mcpherson
was overhauling wagon near the fire.
Knew of no motive Mcpherson could have
for starting the fire. He had asked for an
increase of wages six months ago, and it
was given willingly.
Clarence Dillon had been detailed to
watch MCPHERSON on November 18th.
About noon on November 25th, while
in the stable saw Mcpherson go
into his shop and throw something behind
n barrel. Two colored men went into the
shop and he threw bucket of water be-
hind the barrel On the morning Of No
vember 18th another fire was discovered
The witness described this and others
which he had seen
Detective W. 4. Jones said that he had
been employed to ferret ont the firebugs
and told how he caught McI'herson in the
act Of firing the buildings and arresting
him on Friday last. Mr.. Emmons made a
strong efforts to diseredit the detectives
story.
Detective H. II. Vandegrift and John II. |
Turner also gave their testimony, after |
which McPherson's counsel waived d fur
her hearing and he was held for the upper
court.
nEF ID fryxI mn q