The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-06-29
A F|REBUG'S AWFUL DEED.
DastardIy Preparations for the
Destruction of Big Lodg-
ing-HOuSe.
WAS AvERTED BY CHANCE
Many Human Lives Placed In Peril
for the Sake of Insurance
Money.

The lair of another firebug was dragged
into the light of day by Fire Marshal
Towe on Thursday afternoon, and it was
discovered that only the slightest chance
had prevented another large confiagration,
which would have resulted not only In the
destruction of vast amount of property,
but in considerable loss of life as well.
The man who had in contemplation the
dastardly attempt cannot be tried for
arson, for his plans miscarried and there
was no fire. Should he be caught, how
ever, he will be prosecuted on less seri-
Gus charge, and the circumstances sur
rounding his case will probably tend to
secure for him the maximum penalty for
his offense.
According TO Fire Marshal Towe the evil
dence adduced thus far points to man
named John Moller as the guilty party.
For seven months up to last Monday he
occupied a small store at 229 Second street,
under the Montgomery House. He dealt
IN cigars, cigarettes, tobacco and notions.
On Monday last he sold out to a man
named Francis x. Pach, and then disap-
peared. The new proprietor started to
clear up the place on Thursday and his dis
coveries led 20 the conclusion that an in
cendiary, and very cunning one, had
been at work.
Mr.. Pack Immediately teIephoned to Fire
Marshal Towe. That official lost no time
III getting to 229 Second street and when
he was shown the extent of the work of
the would-be incendiary his indignation
and wrath were great.
The Montgomery House is a fiimsy
wooden structure, dry as finder, and had a
match been applied to the stuff in the
I0 fl,n bull
ablaZe In few moments. Worse than this
the fire would have started directly be-
meath the stairs leading to the second story,
cutting off all avenue of escape. A rickety
wooden partition divides small room from
the store. and to this the attention of
Marshal Towe was first directed. con-
siderable portion of the partition is taken
up with shelving, on which are slowed
cigar and cigarette boxes. Above the
shelving was a large picture about four
feet square, and scattered about were large
cigarette cards bearing the portraits of
actresses in brief costumes.
Behind the pictures and cards were a
number of anger holes. 1t was this which
first excited Pach S suspicious and then he
began systematic search of the premises.
There were auger holes through the floor
behind the counter, and there were holes
without number in the floor and wall of
the little room partitioned off from the
store. In one corner of this little room
was picture, which Marshal Towe hastily
tore down, disclosing an aperture of about
Axe feet in dimensions.
Behind the hole was the dividing wall
between the store and the house next to
it. The Marshal put his hand in and drew
forth number of old rags and papers
Above and below the aperature the same
condition of affairs obtained. Among the
debris were found matches by the whole
sale, enough being taken out to fill four
cigar boxes at least.
Marshal Towe sent for Mr.. Montgomery,
the proprietor of the house. The latter
stated that Moller roomed in his hosiery,
but that he had not been seen for couple
of days. Towe then went to Moller's
room and found a well-worn overcoat and
two old grips which had done much
service. Montgomery was aghast at the
discovery. He said that the house was
fourteen years old, and that if a fire had
ever been started not only the hotel but
the entire block would have been de-
stroyed. The ceilings are covered with
cloth, which would have materially helped
the flames. The draught in the shaft
where the infammable stuff was stored
was something fearful-so strong, in fact.
that cloth hat placed inside the aperture
was carried up out of sight.
The Marshal set to work Immediately to
long before he had abundance of evidence
in that direction. Moller, he says, is in
sured In four companies, and while his
stock was only worth about 500, he car
ried insurance to the amount of $1,000.
81 found that Moller has been trying to
sell out for some time" said the Marshal
yesterday, "but was unable to do So He
no doubt contemplated the burning of the
store from the fact that he was so heavily
insured. Had he been successful in his
plan he would not have received the in
surance money, as he had no right to in
sure IN more than one company without
notifying each that be was already insured.
This would have annulled his policy.
Had he been able to sell out do not
think that he would have meditated arson.
Had single match been dropped into that
pile Of intiammable stuff the result would
have been something terrible. The build
ing would have burned like powder, and
the first thing which would have gone
were the stairs leading from the upper
stories. The occupants of the lodging
house would have been completely at the
mercy OF the hames, all retreat having
been cut off.
There is no doubt that Molier bored the
holes, and if chance had not drifted Pach
his way on last Monday another big fire
with lamentable results would have been
the consequence. He has evidently jumped
the town, knowing that his work must
sooner or later be discovered. He had
bored the holes, and there was no way to
remedy the damage he had done. SO he
probably decided to get away. If he is
caught he will be arrested. 1 cannot prose-
cute him on a charge of arson, as that
crime was not committed, but Mr.. Mont
gomerry says that he will prosecute him for
malicious mischief, and go with him as far
as he can. The borings, of course, were
made to increase the draught, and had the
flames ever got start nothing could have
stopped them"