Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-03-27
ALLEGED FIRE BUG
Mary Delaney Brought Into Court Again
Today.
Witnesses Think She Is Irresponsi-
ble-IdentiHed by Miss Bischofs-
Judge MiIler's Remarks.

night was caused by the smoking of an ILL
smelling pipe by her cell mate, so she says
and after the Objectionable woman and
pipe were removed, Mary gave the guards
no further trouble Yesterday afternoon.
after her case had been discussed in the
Police Court, and Judge Miller had set the
case for hearing today, the prisoner was
returned to jeil. Thise morning she was
brought up from Jail and taken before
Judge Miller. to answer the charge of hav-
ing attempted to Destroy st. Dominic's
Church by tlre a week agoH
When the case was called none of the
physicians who had examined the Mil
waukee woman were present, and the
court sent for Health Officer Woodward,
who soon appeared and listened to what
was said. %
The prisoner occupied a seat at the coun-
sci table beside her counsel, Lawyer Lam
bert, while Detectives Carter and Gallaher
were present to aid Prosecuting Attorney
Mullowny.
A plea of not guilty was entered and
William Henderson, the colored janitor
was the first witness called.
Discovered Fire.
He testified that last Thursday he dis
covered fire in the chapel, which is separ-
ated from the church proper by swinging
doors. The fire had been built on the floor
in the corner, and there was the smell of
coal oil in the room. He said the fire took
place between IL and o'clock He thought
about twenty minutes after the ringing OF
the Angelus. Witness said that oil had
been poured on the floor. He put out the
fire with his hat.
Rev Father Casey was called. and he de-
scribed the location Of the chapel and the
appearance of the floor after the fire had
nplliS ad
tected the odor of coal OIL and found that
the place had been saturated with the oil.
Counsel cross-examned the witness con-
corning the time the fire took place, ana
as near as he could approximate it was be-
tween 1870 ard 1 o'clock. He said that.
kerosene oil is not used about the building
for anything.
Identified Her.
Mics Barbara Bischoff, organist at st.
Dominic's Church, was In the choir gal
lery last Thursday about the time the. fire
broke out. She said she saw lady come
from the Holy Name chapel just before the
fire was discovered.
Ibid you get good look at the woman?"
Mr.. Mullowny asked.
II did," was her response
"Would you recognize her If you were to
see her again.
II would
Look about the court room,' said Mr..
There she isl said Miss Bischoff, point
ing to the prisoner; land she walked very
quickly toward the door"
Witness was cross-eXamined at length
concerning the woman's movements in the
church. She was satisfied that the woman
could not have been in one of the pews. or
she would have seen her. She was certain
that she came from the chapel.
Miss Bschon was also examined concern
ing the woman's identity. She described
her she had the day of the fire. and
said she had under her cape. bundle
which she thought was probably the size
of gallon can. The woman was excited
and was in a hurry, and this was what so
particularly impressed upon her mind the
woman's appearance.
The Arrest.
Detective Carter was next sworn and he
described Miss Delaney's arrest early Fri
day morning, the day after the fire. He
said that the woman was very much eX-
cited and there was odor of kerosene oil
about her clothes. Her dress was appar-
emily saturated with OIL, She was excited
and after some trouble he said she got in
a cab and was taken to the police station,
where she was turned over to the matron.
When asked to explain what he meant
by her being excited, witness said she call
ed ugly names and struck both witness and
Detective Gallaher. While,there in the motel
she asked about the warrant for her arrest
and produced letter concerning her fail
ure to rent a concert hall, charging that
the janiter of Carroll Hail was prosecuting
her. /.
Judge Miller said that the officer had
some experience prisoners and their
conduct, and asked what he thought OF her
conduct, whether or not it was rational.
. '.Her conduct was very irrational" an
swered the officer.
Witness said that she was not told OF the
charge against her, but was under the I'M
preston that she was under arrest for fail
ure to pay her hotel bill '
At the Station.
Miss Lewis, matron of the police station.
gave evidence concerning the coal oil on
the prisoners satchel and clothing, and
told of several conversations she had with
her. She talked in rambling manner, and
said she was guided by spirits and they
did anything she commanded. If she COM
manded any one to be shot he would be
shot.
These spirits, she told witness. always
protected her and avenged her wrongs, and
she could call on them at any time.
During one conversation witness spoke
to her of the dangers attending the
burning of a church. and she the prisoner)