The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-12-10
INTO A NET.
Firebug of the Overland in Jail
on Two Charges.
WLLARD's LUCKY RECOGNITION.
Arrested for Stealing . Watch at Sno-
homish, Neal Alias Leon, Finds an
Old Charge Revived.

Harry Neal, alias FL. Leon, who was caught in
the act of setting fire to the Overland lodging
house, near the Northern Pacific depot, on the
night OF July 2S last, and who escaped from Jail
in August, was captured in this city last even
ing. He is now in the county jail, being held
on the old commitment charging him with
arson.
Several days ago robbery was committed at
snohonlish and among the articles stolen were
a gold watch and chain Ex-Chief of Police
Brown. of snohomish, suspected Neal, name
assumed during his residence in that city, of
being an accessory to the robbery, but when he
went in search OF the suspect discovered that he
had flown. Mr. Brown traced him TO Seattle
and last evening arrested him in the Willard
house, on Front street near Pike. The stolen
watch and chain were found on his person.
Brown conducted the prisoner to police head
quarters and left him in charge OF an officer
until he could go before justice of the peace
and swear out warrant charging him with
burglary
Two years ago this month Detective Willard,
now inspector OF police, arrested II. Leon and
man named Kerchew for burglarizing Quinn
d Moran's saloon on Washington street. The
saloon had been entered and $3S in money, four
watches and thirteen bottles of champagne
stolen Detective Willard raided the room Of
Leon and Kerchew in lodging house on Jack
son street and found them in bed and the stolen
n.
and was allowed to turn states evidence and so
escaped punishment; but kerchew was SEN
fenced to the penitcntiary for five years When
Inspector Willard arrived at police hesdquar
tiers last evening he recognized Neal as his old
acquaintance Leon, who was wanted for arson,
and before Mr.. Brown could return, his prisoner
was booked as a fugitive from justice. The
patrol wagon was brought out and Leon was
driven 10 the county Jail and turned over to
Sheriff Wooery.
The crime for which Leon will now have to
stand trial was deliberate attempt to burn
down the Overland hotel, where he ives a bar
tender, for the insurance, he having admitted
that he was employed to do the job by C. A.
Williams, the proprietor. About o'clock in
the morning of July % officers on the King
street beat saw smoke coming from back room
OF the Overland house, and rushing in they
caught Leon in the act of throwing fuel on fire
which he had started in a corner of the room
The Are was extinguished by the officers; other
wise it Is probable that Leon would have the
charge OF murder hanging over his head, for the
place was filled with sleepers and there were no
fire escapes OH the house.
Two days after his arrest Leon told the prose-
cutting attorney that he had been employed by
Williams as bartender, and that Williams had
promised him . large sum of money if he would
touch a match to the place. Williams left the
city, and it was arranged that while he was
away the arson should be committed. As soon
as the confession was made Detective, now Cap
tain Barck, was sent to Port Townsend, where
he captured Williams and brought him to this
city. 1t was understood that Leon should be
released If he turned states evidence, but in
August he escaped. Jailer Bozart, of the city
JAIL mistakIng Leon for one of the "trusties,'
let him out of Jail, and he never again
showed up. In the absence of this, its princi-
pal witness, the state had no evidence against
NJ 49, s-su
Immediately left the city and has not since
been heard from.