The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1892-05-23

s1SA jail, where he was
committed this morn
WT9Etf43S ing by Squire Will
&lN liams without bail.
The charge upon which he is held is a
severe one and should he be convicted he
will undoubtedly be sentenced to a long
term of imprisonment.
Hall is held on a warrant charging him
with attempting to set fire to j. M. Rob-
bins buildings on the north side of West
Centre street, between Pear alley and
Jardin street.
The discovery of the dastardly deed was
brought about by the confessions of a
young mar who says he was a quasi &C.
complete of Halls to commit the arson.
However true or untre the statements of
the young man may be, it is to his weaken
ing, or ''squealing," that some people owe
their lives. Had the contemplated arson
been committed there is little doubt but
that the square bounded by Centre, Jardin
and Lloyd streets, and Pear alley would
have been destroyed and some of the
families smothered or killed before they
could make their escape. With but one
or two exceptions all the buildings are two
and three story frame structures that have
been built for some time and with the aid
of the wind that accompanied the light
fall of rain last night they would have
been swept away like a chip before q gale.
1t was the thought of the probable loss of
life and great loss of property hat would
have followed the incendiary that led the
crowd to murmur, Hang him I' "Shoot
himl' and give vent to other threatening
expressions when Hall was taken from the
lookup to Squire Williams Office this
morning.
hall entered the Office smiling and as he
took a seat he pulled GU a massive gold
watch attached TO a heavy gold chain and
noted the time in a cool, Indifferent man.
ner. The night he spent in the lookup had
only slightly soiled his brown overcoat and
black derby hat. His face gave no indica-
tion of sleeplessness, or anxiety. The i'm
maculste shirt bosom with its glittering
stud was without a wrinkle, and the cream
colored fourth hand tie set as perfectly
upon the bosom as it would had it been
arranged with great care in HslPs deserted
hotel bedroom.
The testimony before the justice gives all
the facts of the case. They were given by
Frederick Richter, a young man 20 years
of age, who was recently hired as an assist
ant by Hall.
Richter testified as follows; II had been
working for earns g. Co., photographers,
in Camden, N. j., and as business at the
place was not brisk l sought employment
elsewhere! At the house of Thomas Nc
Collins, 1890 Arch street, they gave me
Halls address and after some correspond
ence Hall hired nae for s. per week. 1
came to Shenandoah on May 18th, last,
and started to work for Hall that afternoon,
ION the following Tuesday, or Wednes-
day, Hall asked me laughingly whether l
would De with him. be his butty, as the
expression goes in town. Certainly l
said. Then he said, Pm tell you; l am
not making much money out of this thing.
People think l am doing a hi of a lot of
business but am not. Now, if you will
go into this thing with me we can make
$500 in three days. Are you with me p
l said Certainly He said, Well we will
burn the place. l have got a policy for
$500 on an estimated valuation of 500.
You light the place and l will give you
half the insurance. l said All right l
thought he was fooling and l led him on.
Yesterday afternoon, being Sunday, he
started away on the 3;l5 train. He showed
me the candle in evidence and said, Don't
to touch it off, l went to supper,
and after supper l went to church. After
church l told the people. / went TO MI.