The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-02-12
MATLoCK MAKES AN ARREST.
Thinks He Has the Man Who Is Re-
spOnsible for Recent Fires.

MATLOCk MAKES AN ARREST.
Thinks He Has the Man Who Is Re-
sponsible for Recent Fires.
Frank Dawson, aged seventeen, was
rested yesterday afternoon during the prog
ress of the Stout fire, by health officer Mat
lock and slated for yagrancy. Matlock hopes
to be able to prove more against the young
man, but the arrest was made merely
upon the strange actions of Dawson dur
ing the past two weeks. From his con-
versation he has infatuation for fires
and he has been seen soon after
Der of fires which have recently occurred.
Attention was first called to Dawson's
action about two weeks ago when he called
at the Office of the Board of Health. He
was not known there nor did he have any
particular business, but he took a chair
and began a conversa ton. He said he lived
on South Capitol avenue. This call was
made shortly after the fires in the west
part of the city, which were of incendiary
origin Dawson seemed to know a great
deal about them. He asked Matlock what
the penalty for setting building
on fire. He also said he liked to see
big fire and he delighted to see the fire
engines go. The young man left the office
hurriedly. Matlock thought over the inter-
view and the more he thought the more
but was unable to find him. The officer
the the H Saloons in a the West End Where he
talked great deal about fires. One man
said he thought the young man was crazy
Yesterday afternoon Matlock was sit
ting in the office of the board when Daw
son entered breathlessiy and asked if
the office asked where it was to which
Dawson replied that the wholesale house
he had related what he knew of the fire
he asked for application blank
f FLANK x0 and on ha "a
him how to proceed to fill out the appli-
cation.
DO you know of anybody who will
sign it for you,'' asked Clerk Barnard.
Eyes, 1 will get George Stout to sign
it, he replied, as he hurried from the
Matlock followed him from the building
and kept track of him until he reached
sented his application, to several people
in the crowd and asked for signatures
He approached Mr. Stout, but that individ-
ual was TO busy to reply to him. Mat
| lock made the arrest while Dawson was
in the crowd. He was asked If he knew
anything of the origin of the several fires
recently. He replied that he did not. He
| said he lived on South Capitol avenue
but afterward admitted that he was a
stranger in the city.
Dawson was seen last night at police
| headquarters by Journal reporter. He
was sullen and reticent. but he denied en-
phatically that he was firebus. He is an
| overgrown boy, not particularly intelligent
looking. He said he had been in the city
| between three and four weeks and had
not had any employment since he came
here. There is nothing at all to connect
him in any way with the many fires, ex-
cept his own imprudent talk. He claims
to be from the country in missouri.
Fires of n Week.
The fire which destroyed the wholesale
stock of Geo. w. Stout was the fourth large
fire within the last week, almost $250,OOO
worth of property being destroyed. Last
Tuesday, at a. M, the H. T. Condo Imple-
ment Company warerooms at 103. 105, 107
and 100 North Capitol avenue were discov-
cred to be on fire. and before the flames
were controlled about $4,000 damage had
been done. On the following Thursday the
Denisoh House was attacked by fire, and a
loss of $4,000 was the result. Again, on
Sunday night an alarm called the depart
ment to q North Pennsylvania street
| where fire was raging in the room occupied
| by A. j. treat, merchant tailor. The loss
| there was about $4,000
| known and in at least one case the indica-
| tions of incendiarism We're very marked. In
| the other three the fire department has the
| was well insured, and the insurance COM
| panes have, as consequence, suffered
| heavily.
| The Crowd Was Drenched.
| About that time a false coupling on
| the fire plug at the corner of Georgia and
| Meridian streets gave way and the water
| spouted into the midst of the great throng
| of bystanders. A general rush was made
/ to get out of the way of the water, but
| half a hundred men and boys received a
| soaking, more or less. one small col
| ored boy was standing near the plug and
| was knocked down by the force Of the
| stream, but managed to crawl out. When
the water was turned OH several hal
| been knocked from the heads of their
owners. A new section Of hose was at
| tached and the incident forgotten except
| by those who were participants in the
| event
Mr.. Pendergast's Theory.
Building Inspector Pendergast is not in
| cined to attribute the fires of the last two
| weeks to incendiaries. Yesterday he visited
the scene of Sunday nights fire and located
| three fues running from the basement to
the TOP ana dnrougn h Mhs ef re e
| that the cold weather,S which has neeessi-
| tated more than the Usual number OF stoves
| and CRATES, may be responsible for much OF
the damage Frame work is as dry tin
DEF. from the constant heat. and IS readily
| ignited. Mr.. Pendergast intimated yester-
| day that there would be a closer inspection
| of buildings.
VIII Not Affect His Business.
George w. Stout has arranged for tenn
| porary storerooms and viii continue his
wholesale business. lie expects to begin
| the work of clearing up the debris from
| tfe burned DuliuinS a. oiiCS anu VIII cree
| as rapidly as possible structure large
| enough 20 accommodate his usual stock. He
| has made arrangements to fill all OF hi
orders without delay just as If nothing had
| happened.
| Internal Revenue Inv vioiutors.
Nellie Eppefson and Archie Gadmore
| of Frankfort, yesterday brought Il
this city by Deputy Marshal Dooing, ans
gave bond for their appearance on a chargs
! of selling liquor withou. paying the govern
ment license. Joseph W. Keys, Kate
Kunph, Julia Thompson and w. G. Burns
Of the same town. were arrested on tbs