Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-08-21
WING NAN MCQUITTED
A Charge Of Arson Against Ohinaman
Tried H&ay.
The Mystery of thefRire at q Capitol
for Neutrality-suspicious.

"CnlnatoV n was peTt1y Qepopulateo tnis
morning because Of Q great attraction at
the Police Court Wing Nan, Capitol
Hill Chinaman, had been arrested for al
legged arson at the Lee Wah laundry, No.
4C1 A street northeast, as published in
yesterdays Star. Precinct Detective Sam
Browne of No. 0 had made an investigation
of the case. as had Detectives Carter and
Gallaher. and the arrest of Wing Nan fol-
lowed. With this case came the usual
stories of threats and bribery, such as
characterized the Chinese cases several
weeks ago. Lee Yuen, who conducts the
Lee Wah laundry, took charge of the burn
ed papers and can and satchel and had
them in court this morning.
Lee Yuen and Wing Nan are brothers,
SO 1t was stated in court, and, although
rivalry in the laundry business has prob
ably caused an ill-feeling. They never
speak as they pass by.
Wing Nan, the prisoner, has been In
business on Capitol Hill for long time,
and he enjoys the confidence Of his neigh
bors, who were very much surprised to
learn Of his arrest, which was made on the
statement Of a colored man. But even this
Chinaman, who has enjoyed so good q
reputation for so long time.
The Hearing.
But Precinct Detective Browne took the
case to court and SO Wing was given
preliminary hearing on charge of arson.
Precinct Detective Browne was the first
witress examined. He did not see the fire.
but yesterday he made an investigation Of
the place. and found that the rafters and
sides of the house had been burned In the
areaway he found a satchel, in which were
two bars OF soap and some paper, such as
is used as tobacco wrappers. There was
also gallon milk can filled with paper and
oil. After making an investigation he ar
rested the prisoner and locked him up.
Judge Mills questioned the witness, who
said he found the articles mentioned in the
laur dry. Policeman Wagner had taken
them from the area, SO he was informed.
What Policeman Wagner Saw.
Policeman Wagner was next called, and
testified that he was in the neighborhood
of 4th and A streets when the fire occurred.
He had turned in report from the patrol
box at II o'clock. and was going over his
beat when he saw the fire. Witness was
coming along A street. when suddenly he
saw a fash. and, thinking the place was
on fire, he hurried to the house and aroused
the two celestials Of the Lee Wah laundry.
Lee Yuen, who conducts the business there
and his Chinese laborer, responded to his
call. and then ne (witness) got water at a
cigar store and put out the fire. When the
flames had been eXtinguished he fished out
the can ana satchel and took them in the
laur dry. The can was filled with paper
saturated with oil. but the paper had been
stuffed in so closely that it was not free to
burn. In the satchel there was also sat
Crated paper.
In the area to feed the fire. The soap, he
said, is made of grease and will melt and
run when IL comes In contact with intense
heat and will, of course, spread the flames
The soap had been put on the ground III
the area and the satct ell placed upon it.
On cross-examination witness said that