The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-02-22
NEWS OF NORTHWEST
Col. Tarbel Accused Of Arson,
Forgery and Theft.
DISASTROUS FIRE IN coLFAx.
Spokane votes Against Bonds-Rancher
Drowned In Fraser River-l1ins.
Injured at Nanaimo.

FAIRHAvEN, Feb. 1.-THE statement Of Col
onel p. T.. Tafbei, telegraphed from Vancouver
70 the PosI-INTBLLioHkCER, attracted much at
tention here, owing to the attack made upon
the Fairhaven Land Company. The PosT-IN.
TELLI0ENCRH correspondent today has inter-
viewed several Of the parties accused. The ON
GERS Of the Fairhaven Land Company were the
first TO be seen. They most emphatically deny
that they have ever threatened or antagonised
Colonel Tafbel In any way. Some OF the Officers
and stockholders were present at the interview
and stated that Tarbel was employed by tho
Herald Company about i've weeks in the early
part Of this winter, but was discharged.
been discovered that he has EN-
bezzled upwards Of 1900, which they
By an attachment suit comme s today This
through. great number Of small collections,
quit their Employ. I Some Of the money ' was Oh
tanned through forgery committed eight days
after his diacharge. The evidence Of this Is
secretafys possession. Tarbei's story about his
departure reflects upon the vigilance Of Chief Of
Police Parker. Sheriff de Lorimer and States
Colonel Tarbel also says his own attorney,
Mr.. Logan, advised him to 60 to Canada. Mr..
Logan denies having recommended such . pro-
ceeding, though he admits that 1t was not q bad
thing to do under the circumstances. Mr.. Logan,
anticipating Tarbels arrest for arson, and de-
string TO save his client unnecessary annoyance,
went to Whatcom and arranged with States
Attorney Cole 20 withhold the warrant OF arrest
long enough for him to return to Fairhaven and
bring TarbeI back, when he would give bond for
his appearance in court Meantime the colonel
skipped out and was next heard from in Canada
Mrs. Tarbell, who Is sorely grieved over the
affair, 10 urging her husbands return. Today
she received a letter from him saying he would
come back and stand trial II informed that q
warrant had been issued. His proposition, and
his entire story printed In the PosT-INTELLIGEN-
Ger, is generally regarded a. Gaping the climax
for audacity.
THE Whatcom Revetue of February 10 says:
Last Saturday evening Miss Ryan, milliner,
who rents q store in the Mackay & Anderson
building at Fourteenth and Harris streets, Fair
haven, discovered coal oil leaking through the
ceiling from the room above, occupied by the
Bellingham Bay Sun Publishing Company. She
called . gentleman, who, upon investigatingsthe
cause, found that can of coal oil had been
spilled over the floor of the composing room
above, and . lighted candle stuck on the
door, which, in . few seconds more,
would have ignited the oil and caused q
confagration. The facts were reported
TO the police and they Immediately set about in
vestigating II. Upon inquiry, it was found that
p. E. TArbel, one of the proprietors, had pur-
chased the oil, candle and some matches, in q
neighboring grocery store, and was seen leaving
the Office short time before the discovery was
made.1