Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1892-02-25
CHARGED WITH ARSON.
James Landy Held in $1,000 Bail for the
Upper Court.

James Landy was arraigned before
Justice of the Peace Frank Z. Smith
Thursday charged with setting fire to
three different buildings in this city.
The hearing took place at 1880 o'clock.
The office was crowded far beyond it's
capacity. When the time came for the
hearing to take place Henry 9. Turner
appeared for Landy, while Deputy
Attorney-general Davis was ON hand to
represent the State.
Landy was first arranged for setting
fire to the hair-drying establishment Of
McNealey & Co., at Fifth and du Pont
streets, on February I'd. In connection
with this charge, Detective McVey said
he had held an interview with Landy
about this fire and the latter had made
several conflicting statements. Landy,
after hesitating, admitted that he went
to the fire and was one of the first there.
He went to Philip n. Shea's saloon,
Fourth and Scott streets, and was there
when alarm was sent in. Detective
McVey declared that in another state
ment Landy stated he was at Fourth
and Madison streets when he saw the
blaze. Detective Witsil corroborated
Detective McVey.
Amor Little, colored, was in Nc
Caulley's stable on Searles street, on the
night Of the fire, when a man put his
head in at the window. He thought the
man was Landy, but would not swear
to it.
Annie Haggerty had seen man run
ming from the burning building, but
could not say it was Landy.
Joseph Higgins stated he was stopped
near the burning building on the night
Of the fire by man who asked for a
"chew." Witness could not swear the
man was Landy.
Phillip II. Shea was sworn. lie testi-
fed to striking the alarm from box 81
on the night of the fire. The only person
he saw near the box was James Landy.
Benjamin Babb, who lives at No. S02
Franklin street, was at Eighth and Har-
rison streets when the alarm was sent
in and ran out Eighth to Broome and
down Broome to Fourth street. He
stated that he met Landy on Fourth
street going in opposite direction from
the fire. lie came back and helped to
put out the fire. Landy was at this
point held in $3.50 bail for the upper
court upon this charge.
The charge of setting fire to Harrison
| street Nj. H. Church was dismissed after
the hearing of testimony which was not
| sufficient to sustain the charge.
| Landy was then arraigncd for firing
the office at the Front and Union streets
| base ball grounds. Detectives McVey
and Witsil testified that Landy had
made to them conflicting statements
about this fire. Detective Harvey B.
| Vandegrift was next called. He produced
pair of heavy shoes with round
headed tacks on the bottom. These
| Landy wore on the night of the fire.
The detective said the impression in the
snow corresponded minutely with tho
nails in the soles of the shoes. The
| tracks were discovered about the Office
the next morning after the fire. Clarence
Forwood, foreman at the Front and
Union streets stables, was present when
| the tracks were examined. He cor
roborated Detective Vandegrift.
The defence signified their intention
of proving an alibi, and called John
| McNabb, who knew what some one else
had told him. He was excused. Peter
Landy, brother of the prisoner, stated
that he and the prisoner were home
when the alarm of fire was sounded.
Both went to the fire. Landy was held
in $3.50 bail upon the second charge
81 500 in all. lie was locked up at the
police station in default of this bail.
Register Cooch last week granted letters
| of administration upon the estate of Samuel
Darlington, late of White Clay Creek hun.
drsd- deceased. to William G. Mcdonald.