The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1894-10-23
fire BUG AGAIN AT WORK
Attacked Howley Building at Penn
Avenue and Mulberry Street.
COTTON WAS SOAKED IN OIL
Gas Pipes Broken and All the Jets Left
Open Prompt Arrival of Firemen
Saved Building from Destruction.
Investigation Today.

Smoke was seen issuing from the
windows of the four story building at
the corner of Penn avenue and Linden
street at 945 last night and an alarm
was sent in from box 16, bringing out
the Crystals, Nay Augs, Hook and Lad
der and Chemical companies.
Patrolman Meinzer was on his way
up Penn avenue when he noticed the
smoke and he Immediately sent in the
alarm, but member of the Crystals
saw the smoke a few minutes before
the officer and he sent in a still alarm
to the Crystals, which hurried to the
scene.
The building Is owned by John j.
Howley, and the ground floor is taken
up with his plumbing and hardware es-
tablishment. The three upper floors
are leased by the Scranton Knitting
company as a factory. John Lewis, of
Green Ridge, Is manager of the factory
and it Is operated by a stock company
of Scranton capitalists.
The fire was found to be burning on
each of the three floors occupied by the
factory and in several places on each
floor. The firemen got streams upon
the fire and had it extinguished before
much damage was done. After Chief
Ferber sounded the fire out, he and AS
sistant Chief George Suydam, John j.
Howley, owner of the building, his
brothers, Anthony ]. and Michael 7.
and several firemen and citizens made
an inspection of the three floors where
the fire had been burning. Chief of Po-
lice Simpson arrived later and took
note of the condition of the place.
OF Incendiary Origin.
1t was plainly evident to everybody
that the building had been set on fire.
On every. floor heaps of oiled cotton
waste were profusely scattered on all
sides. Empty boxes in which raw ma
terial had been shipped were ranged
all over the floors and when they were
removed in many places under them
the floor had been torn up and heaps
of cotton waste were stuffed between
the joists. The waste was put where
ever two gas pipes formed a connec-
tion and the pipes had been tampered
with and the gas escaped in volumes,
Every gas jet on each floor was open
and the gas escaped, filling the rooms
in some places along the walls the
pipes had been wrenched off and the
gas escaped freely.
On the first floor where stove stood
the floor was ripped up and the hole
covered with big piece of zinc. In the
opening was stuffed about two bushels
of waste and flames broke out as soon
as the zinc was lifted and the air got to
it.
Chief Ferber had some of his men to
collect from different places on each
| floor samples of the oiled waste which
had been lighted and stuffed between
the joists.
George Bateman, foreman of the fac
tory, was at the scene and Chief Fer,
Der questioned him concerning his
knowledge Of the case, and from what
he had to say, the chief felt that he
should be detained for a further hear.
ing. George Kringlesmith, a boy who
| works at the factory, was also de-
| tained. Both were taken to police
| headquarters and a messenger dis
patched for Mr.. Lewis to his home
What Bateman Says.
Bateman said that he was in the
| factory at o'clock last night and ther
there was no evidence of a preparation
to fire the place. Mr.. Lewis was there
also and both turned off the gas before
leaving. Mr. Lewis went down stair.
to the first floor and shut off the valve
at the meter. He stayed until the lights
went out and then turned off all tn,
burners.
Mr.. Howley and one of his men wen
to the residence of Mr.. Lewis at tn,
corner of Delaware street and Adam.
avenue, and told him that he wa.
wanted at police headquarter to eX
plain what he knew of the fire. Wher
they reached the station Chief Ferbe
and Chief of Police Simpson concluded
to adjourn the hearing until o'clocl
this morning. Mr. Lewis made state
ment, however, that was substantially
the same as the story told by Foreman
Bateman.
He said that he was in the factory
about s o'clock and then everythin,
was all right. He turned off the ga
at the meter and then locked up tn,
place. He had no theory to advanc,
as to the cause of the fire, and wa
greatly excited when telling his story
He almost fell from the chair and aske,
for a glass of water. To Mr.. Howle,
on the way to the station he said tha
the insurance on the machinery ant
stock was only $500.
A pail of oil-soaked cotton waste, =;
the shape of evidence is held at polio
headquarters. Lewis, Bateman and tn
boy, Kringlesmith, were allowed to g
until 8 o'clock this morning.
Children's sets nj Davi1ow Rroe