The morning call., 1894-03-26
THAT HOLOCAUST.
The Police Looking for
the Firebugs.
No Developments So Far-Mrs. lrv.
ing Improving-The Inquest
to Be Held To-Day.

Mrs. A. K. Irving, who was so seriously
Injured Saturday morning in jumping
frnm a window Of her burning house, al
220 Haigbt street. at the time her daugh.
ter. Mrs. Ross, and the latter's little child
were burned to death, was reported as
resting easily yesterday at the residence
of neighbor, George w. Lawler, 224
Haight street. She is attended by DIR.
Fitzgibbon. and it is thought if no compli-
cations set in, which her age renders pos
sible. that she will recover.
Miss Carrie Irving, who was injured in
bravely rescuing the children of her
brother, was taken to the residence of a
neighbor. c. Muller, 218 Haight street.
She was suffering much pain yesterday,
but her injuries are believed 20 be tempo
rary only.
The investigation into the cause of the
fire is being carried on quietly but search
ingly by the police authorities. but nothing
has so far developed of a startling nature.
Detective Ben Bohen in speaking of the
matter said: "We are working upon the
certainty that the fire was of incendary
origin and was the fruit of a revengeful
motive.
''rhe question for US to solve is, who is
the guilty party? We have been furnished
with the names of people whom the
lrviDgs declare they have every reason to
know are their enemies. l have seen some
OF these people and interrooated them,
but there are several others that / have
not yet been able TO see. Until | do /
shall be unable 20 form any defnite con-
clusion, and perhaps even then the mys-
terry may be as far from solution as ever
Arson Is serious thing to charge q
person with, and simply because two or
three people may be known as enemies of
the lrvings that is not a sufficient reason
to justify me or any one else in arrestlng
them.
Every clew is being carefully and per-
sistenty followed up, and no time will be
lost IN bringing the perpetrators of such a
dasiardly crime to justice. But, as / said
before, we must have something more
than mere suspicion to found charge
upon"
Allsorts of rnmors were afloat yesterday,
and it was stated. on what was given as
unQuestionable authority, that two men
had been arrested and locked up in the
tanks. but Detective Bohen states dis
tinetly that no one has been arrested.
The inquest on the bodies of Mrs. Ross
and her infant will be held at the Morgue
TODAY. and il is possible that by that time
the police may be prepared with sufficient
evidence to lead up to the arrest of the in
cendiary.
All day Yesterday crowds of people WIS.,
tied the scene of the holocaust on Haight
street and gazed with sympathetic eyes
upon the ruins.
Mr.. Irving has offered reward of $3.50
Tor any information that will lead TO the
arrest and convict on of the incendiary,
and to-day be will ask Mayor ElIert To-
supplement the amount by another $3.50,
Wnlcn may materially help In bringing
about the consummation so much desired.
Tie funeral of Mrs. Ross and her infant
Will take place at IL o'clock this morning,
and the service will be held in the FIRST
Presbyterian Church.
singular circumstance came to light
yesterda; which deepens the mystery.
John Pettee, the expert in the Tax Col
lector's office. and his family removed
from walter street to 214 Haight street
ABOUT two weeks ago. A few nights alter
ward fire was discovered under the rear
steps oil the residence, and it was been
that the place had been set on fire in the
same manner as in Mr.. Irving's case. coal
OIL having been used 10 quicken the flames.
Mrs. Pettee believes that the attempt to
burn her residence was due to The fact
that the Tax Collectors books were in the
house at the time, her husband being en-
gagged uuon them, aud some one desired to
see the books destroyed, even though the
house should be burned down and some
lives be lost.
But that Is only her theory, and it may
have been the work of firebugs having
nothing To crafty nut their craving for
the destruction of other peoples property.
The question for solution is, Could Mr..
Peltee have enemies in common with Mr..
Irving? LII not, 1t is fair to assume that
Mr.. lrving's enemies may not have taken
such means to crafty their revenge.