The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1893-03-08

The gentlemen selected to probe to
the quick every detail that leads up to
the causes of the death of Mrs Cline.
dinst in the Brunswick Cafe fire have
displayed unusual energy, and their
work up to tho present moment reflects
credit upon the city of their citizenship.
The jurors convened at $40 p. m. yes
terday at the mayors office. Tho first
witness called was Charley Campbell, a
colored man in the employe of A. A.
Leavy. His testimony was as follows:
II live near the market. 1 have been
working for Mr.. Leavy for year. When
he kept restaurant l was q cook for
him. sweep out and clean up now. 1
was working last Saturday. go to
work at 6 o'clock in the morning and
leave at 19 o'clock at night. John
White was the barkeeper. From seven
till twelve that night was around the
place. There was a fire in the base
ment. Mr.. Leavy occupied the second
floor. l went up stairs and lighted
his gas for him about l2 o'clock.
The ire was low in tho basement.
left three or four lights burning. /
went home, leaving the house from the
front. The door in the hallway always
stays unlocked. We closed up at IL
o'clock; it was 1890 when left. |
don't know when the fire commenced.
l was asleep. The stock was next to
the kitchen. There were three or four
barrels of whiskey and some smaller
barrels. 1 don't know what WIS in
them. There was nothing in the base.
ment but coal. When Mr., Leavy re-
ceived liquors took them out OF the
wagon. 1t is two mouths since 1 un-
loaded anything. l always take it in at
the back door I did not leave the door
open. put the bar up and locked the
door at +, o'clock that night and did not
unlock it again"
In this cross examination Campbell
was questioned very closely, and he was
recalled three or four times during tho
afternoon. Continuing he said: II gave
Mr.. Leavy tho keys after l had licked
UP. Caroline Spindle and Booker
M1tchelf are stopping atthe same house
with me-"
At this point an officer was sent to
summons these witnesses Campbell
then continued: II first heard of the fire
that night. l did not know it was the
Hotel Brunswick until morning. Caro-
line told me it was the postofIce. 1
was in bed but didn't go out. She
opened the door and looked out. Rocker
Mitchell sleeps with me. We none of
us got out Of bed"
Here Mr.. Welch tried to shake his
evidence but was unsuccessful.
Is. l.. Chapman, receiving clerk OF the
Adams Express Company, was the next
witt ess and testified as follows: 81 re-
member Leavy shipping q box, also
hot
Christmas. About three packages and
they weighed about seventy five pounds.
They might have been carpets or bed
ding. They were shipped to Washing.
ton at different times. He told me the
box was for his sister.
Here Mr. Leavy requested to make
statement, which was allowed, and is as
follows: The box contained pictures,
present from MIR. Stewart. The carpet
was the personal property of my
brother"
At this time tho door was locked and
only the jury, reporters and witnesses
were allowed to remain.
John Guren: II went into the Bruins.
wick to get cigar last Saturday even
ing. Mr.. Leavy remarked to mo that
it would be good night for fire as
house would burn to tho ground on &C.
count Of such a high wind. don't
know what called for the remark. He
said it was on account OF the high wind
prevailing at the time. l never had
remark was made in an off hand way."
Booker Mitchell, (colored): II live
at l20 Cam pbell street. On the night
of the FIRE slept alone. 1 went to bed
about l2 o'clock. Campbell came to
bed little after. l heard tho fire bells
that night. Caroline said the fire was
on Campbell street. 1t was too cold to
go to the fire. l think Charlie went to
the door. saw the light Of the fire
between two and three. l have known
Charlie about year. l don't think
there was any ono up at the time. He
(Charlie,) came home between IL and l.
Il know Charlie got up and think he
went to the door,"
Charlie Campbell was recalled and
contradicted his former statement that
he did not get up. A long argument
was now INDUCED in but Charlie could
not be got to make any statement ex-
c'pt that ne forgot about going to the
door and the only reason he assigned for
not going to.the fire in his employers
store was cit was too cold"
Charles Campbell being again re-
called, said: The name of the other
party who worked there was Samuel
ilariis. The day that Ed. Leavy left,
on tho 9th of last month, that was the
last time saw Harris: the other person
employed was Dolly Wade. There we're
five or six armsful OF wood in tho
Kitchen. Whiskey was in three or four
Of the barrels They were against tho
partition next to Mr.. Groves store. |
holped to unload tho whistle r. uraa
tho last whiskey that came in"
Caroline Spindle: ~ had Just laid
down at the time Of tho fire. Charley
n r,h,n1l