The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-12-13
WORK OF FIREBUGS.
Evidence That the Tribune Fire
Was Incendiary.
WARNING MESSAGES RECEIVED.
Suspicious Facts Connected With 1t and
Conspiracy AIleged-The Paper
Will Be Revived.

DR.. a. E. Schade, proprietor of the Tribune and
lessee OF the building which was destroyed by
ire yesterday morning between the hours OF ,
aud o'eiock, Is positive IN his belief that the
IRE was the Work OF ineendiary. This opin-
ion is also expressed by Chief Kellogg and DR..
Flsch, sub-editor OF the Tribune, who says he
was the last person in the building Friday
night and left about two hours before the
flames were discovered. These suspicious arc
confirmed by the fact which became known yes
te-day that picture OF building with a red
rooster perehed on its roof had been found on
the glass door OF the office, and that few days
later the proprietors received letter from spo-
kane warning them that there was q conspiracy
TO destroy the paper.
DR.. Fisch was visited in his Office at the Ger
man Reformed church, corner OF Pine and Sew
enth streets. yesterday afternoon and told the
following story of the FIRE:
Albert Buetz, the press boy, and myself were
working in the office during the evening. and at
IL 80 O'Clock We went out OF the back door aud
into George Wusthot s saloon tor glass of
beer. IL Is not more than eight feet from The
Tribune building to the saloon, and am certain
ciesed the back door. On returning 10 the
Office We found the back door open, and IS We
went through the press room heard noise
III the front office. We thought some one went
out OF the front door, but were not POSITIVE.
Lighting lamp, we found plain evidences that
things had been moved. large form was in
the Office, though 1t had been lett in the press
and at II O'Clock We locked the doors ana went
home. Before going was careful 10 see that
there Was no IRE II either the engine or stove.
When asked about the significant picture
found pasted on the window q few days ago, DR..
Fisch was reluctant 10 talk, but finally said:
About ten days ago We found, on coming 20
the Office in the morning, paper stuck TO the
glass Ill the door. Upon this paper was crude
drawing made with red pencil, and represent
ing house, on the roof OF which was rooster
rhRr w vary ~ q
d picture?
In this country, or to al American, it would
not mean much, but to one acquainted with
German customs II would be different. 10 ex-
press in a lew words that which we read be-
tween the lines would be to say:
warning is hereby given that this property
will be burned"
immediately upon receipt of the warning the
police We're notified, and in q few days Dr.
Schade purchased safe In which to keep Yalu-
able papers.
And what about the letter that you received
from Spokane stating that there was consplr-
acy to destroy the paper?
The doctor was surprised that the existence OF
this letter had leaked out. and exclaimed:
How could that have been discovered? l did
not suppose a person knew OF IL outside those
most interested. Yes, il is true. We were mott
fed by letter from spokane that conspiracy
was broadcast throughout the state, and even
III some parts of British Columbia to destroy
the paper. The letter came about three days
alter the first warning, and was the result OF a
leaked out.
Chief kellogg visited the scene of the fire yes
teriay afternoon, and made close examination
OF the building. He came away satisfied that
the fire the work OF an incendiary, and
that coal oil was used inside the building.
The Office door was burnt on both sides and the
outside easing very little, which Indicated that
the door was open'when the fire started. The
back door was gone, but Fireman William
z F14f hn 4 hA fTat m N n
building, states that he found il wide open,
though Dr. Fisch remembers locking it. Upon
the water faucet was glass jar, broken, but
stil giving forth evidences OF having contained
oil. Albert Buetz, the Office boy, is certain it
was not there at Il o'clock. or two hours pre-
yious TO the FIRE. II was also noticeable that
the flames burned evenly throughout the build
ing. Generally some certain portion indicates
the point Of commencement
Although the Tribune plant was practically de-
stroyed By the fire, DR.. Schade is in nowise dis
couraged, and commenced work yesterday by
selecting new quarters, and preparing 10 obtain
a new plant He will start for Portland tomor-
row for the purpose of buying new type. The
press and engine will probably be obtained here.
DR.. Schade yesterday issued the following card:
on the 18th OF December the entire plant and
paper OF the Seattle Tribune was, TO all appear
ance, wiifully and maIiciously destroyed by IRE.
The patrons of the paper are hereby notified
date In the meantime the undersigned would
request the indulgence of the public by waiting
for our next notice, which viii shortly appear
with regard to our next issue We must also re-
turn thanks TO the public for the sympathy SO
kindly expressed on all sides
A. f. ScHADE.
Publisher OF the Seattle Tribune
The Seattle Tribune is daily and weekly Ger
man paper II was founded in 1858 by Philip
Schmitz, and sold by him to r. DaInus in 1885.
Mr. Damus conducted the paper until October,
1890, when he sold out TO C. Timmsen, who in
turn sold 10 DR.. schade in the November follow
ing. About three months ago Dr. Schade bought
the Stats ZeituRg which was established BY C.
Mathies less thsn one wear ago. The Stats
Zeitl.ng was consolidated with the Tribune, but il
is understood that Mr.. Mathies has been prepar-
ing TO establish new German Democratic paper
on the same lines.
The loss Is estimated between $1,000 and s., 800
divided as follows; Building, $50; engine and
press, $50; type, $500 desk, safe. etc, $500:
total s1.3S0. The insurance on the whole plant
and building was SLIGO, in companies repre-
sented By Burns & Atkinson.
HE TOOK ORDERS FOR CLOTHES.