The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1890-07-03
FROM GALVESTON.
ARREST OF THE TWO HELD
ENHEIMERS, WEALTHY
HEBREW MER-
CHANTS
ON THE CHARGE OF ARSON.
Evidence ON Which the Charge Rests-A
Sensation in Commercial Circles-The
antidacy of Professor Pritchett.

GALVESTON, Tex, June 2S.-Samson Hell
'denheimer and Isaac Heidenheimer, two
wealthy and prominent business men, were
arrested today charged with arson and re-
leased on bond of 5000 each for their ap-
pearance on Tuesday next. The arrest
grew out of the burning and total destruc-
tion of the Texas Standard cotton seed oil
mills on the night of April s. Both the
Heidenheimers were largely interested in
these mills, wich were insured for $4,000
in New York and Boston co mpanies. The
companies carrying the risks were: The
Mutual Insurance company, New York,
100000; the Fire association of New York,
$4,000; the Armstrong Fire Insuran ;e
company, New York, 1000: the Common
wealth Fire Insurance company, New York,
$4,000; Alliance Fire Insurance company,
New York, $2500: United States Insurance
company, Nnw York, $4,000; National In
surance company, New York, $780, Liberty
Insurance company, New York, $500; Far
ragut Insurance company, New York,
.$15G0; New York Insurance company, New
York, $500; North River Insurance COM
pany, New York, $25OO; Providential In
surance company, Boston, $12,5OO. These
companies sent adjusters here who ad-
justed the losses at $137 900, of which $61, 900
has been paid. The Mutual Insurance
company, of which p. B. Armstrong is
president, and of which the fire association
and Armstrong Fire Insurance companle
are coordinate branches, were sus
picious that the fire was tn
work of an incendiary, and instea
of paying losses assessed against them be-
ing conducted by Joseph Marx, Hebrew
lawyer from Texarkana, Texas. Marx a
year ago was arrested for forging the name
of Isaac Heidenheimer for $4,000 and for
which prosecution is now pending. Marx
conducted the investigation very secretly
among the workmen employed in the milf.
One of them. Denis Cologne, at the insti-
son Heidenheimer fire the oil mill be-
tween the hours of 6 or Z, or $3.50 p. m. on
the evening of April 8. Yesterday he was
brought before Judge Spann and after re-
iterating what he had sworn to before the
notary made affidavits as follows:
l, Denis Cologne do now solemnly swear
that on or about the 8th day of April, 1890,
1 saw Samson Heidenhelmer set fire to the
Texas Standard Cotton Seed Oil mill, and
that Samson Heidenheimer did on or about
the 8th day of April, 1890. set fire to the
Texas Standard Cotton Seed Oil mills. l,
Denis Cologne, do further solemnly swear
that Isaac Heidenheimer was outside on
the platform apparently waiting for Sam
son Heidenheimer.
COlogne's testimony as to Samson Hell
-denheimer firing the mills is corIoberated
by Louis Este and Peter Anderson. Upon
this warrants were issued and the Heiden-
heimers were arrested today,
The Heidenheimers claim they can prove
at the hour named when the fire was al
legged to have been set to the oil mills, they
were in the city and this is corroborated by
witnesses who saw them. They will also
prove that Marx in the presence of Albert
Weiss a prominent merchant proposed TO
Isacc Heidenheimer that if he (Heider-
heimer) would withdraw prosecution
against him he Mark would stop the in
yestigation being made into the fire and
make it all right with the insurance COM
pany's; That Isacc Heidenheimer indig-
nantly spurred the offer and told
Marx to go ahead if he
thought he had case but that he (Hei-
denheimer) would land Marx in the peni-
tentiary if there was any law in the coun-
try by which it could be done. The matter
has produced Sc nsation here in CONNER
cial circles, in which the accused are prom
inent and rich and sensational develop
ments are promised at the triallnext Tues
day.