Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-09-18

A Coiored Man Arrested ON q Charge of
Arson

-
Arson
Two rSsrccrssYrL ATTEMPTS 10 BURN THE
STEAMER sUE-A DETECTIVES INVESTIGATION
The SUSPECTED MAN ARRESTED THIS MORN
rSs-oNLY cIRcrNsrASrIAL EVIDENCE AGAINST
Nm
Some ere fend, apparently without mo-
tive. has made two attempts to burn tho
E.eamer Sue. which plies between Baltimore
and this city. Tho frs. attempt was made
while the steamer was at Coan's wharf. on the
lower Potomac, some weeks ago. and the
second attempt was made Sunday morning
when the boa. was anchored ut the 7th street
wharf in this city.
The fire va. started in room eight and the
pillow and mattress had been burned through
and the wooden casing had taken fire. Had the
IRE not been discovered when it was the
steamer would in all probability have Jared
the same fate 40 the steamer Corcoran, but one
Of tho chamoermaids was on deck before the
flames had gained much Roadway and the con-
sequence was that the damage amounted to less
than so
DETECTIVES WORE.
As soon o. the company learned Of what had
happened they sent to Baltimore for Detective
W b. Lyons of the firm of Smith, West d
LYONS. and that officer reached here later in
the afternoon He went aboard the boat and
made what inquiries he wanted and was par
ticular to notice the location of the different
rooms, which may hereafter play an importa mt
part in the proceedings.
The hre occurred about II o'clock In the
morning. The passengers had all gone ashore,
the chambermaids had made up their beds and
John Jones. colored, the saloon man. was at
work as usual. Johns business Is to look after
the scrubbing OF the paints and the shining OF
the metallic ornaments, as well as to MI the
water pitchers IN the state rooms After the
chambermaids finish their work
JONES WAS LEFT ALONE.
In the course Of the investigation Detective
Lyons learned that the chambermaids were on
the lower deck that morning and that Jones had
been left on the upper deck alone. He subse-
auently went down stairs for water and stopped
in the galley about ten minutes and talked with
the cook.
Leaving there he returned to the upper deck
again. carrying the water with him From the
Information received II appeared he was the
only one on the deck when the fire broke out.
except the chambermaid, who discovered it
and gave the alarm
Joe Jones was IN room IL when the alarm
was given, and like the others employed on the
boat he FASTENED to the scene of the fire to
lend what assistance be could
Room 8, IN which the hre started, is on the
starboard side. while room II Is on the port
side near the staircase.
When the chambermaid called him Jones
came from the room mentioned, where he sub
sequently stated he was hopping up some water
that he had spilled on the toor.
TRACES OF THE INcESDIARY's WORK.
The pillow in the burned room had been re-
moved from its usual place to the other end of
the berth and there was a single scratch of a
match on the paint and the burned match was
on the floor.
The statements Of the Waterman. the lookout
man, the chambermaids and the cooks agree as
TO the movement of Jones. and from their
statements Jones was alone on the deck part of
the time and was absent about ten minutes,
about the time Detective Lyons thinks the fire
burned.
In order to make q complete Investigation Of
the case and secure the lire fiend If possible
Detective Lyons made the trip on the boat and
watched the movements Of all the hands en-
ployed on the boat. He held CONVEX sations
with Jones from time to time, and when the
steamer was some distance from Baltimore this
morning he informed him that he would be
locked up upon the arrival of the steamer in
Baltimore.
ARRESTED IN BALTIMORE
II was about an when the steamer reached
her wharf, and Jones was held in custody until
Later in the morning. when he was brought
over here by the officer on train.
Jones was taken before Judge Miller and ar
rsigned on q charge of arson. He waived an
examination and Judge Miller heard the state
ment Of Detective Lyons. The prisoner was
thereupon committed for the action of the
grand Jury in default Of 5000 bail.
No motive can be assigned for such an act
on the part of the prisoner. and Detective
Lyons says the only way be can account for il
Is that whisky and women have ruined him
and changed him entirely.
Jones will have to remain in Jail until after
the grand jury acts upon the case.
The evidence thus far is purely circumstantial
although Detective Lyons is confident that he
VIII be able to make q case against the prisoner.