Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-10-03
FATHERS DENUNCIATiON
Charges His Son With Setting Fire to His
Property.
Held for Grand Jury-The Fire
Caused the Death Of an
Old Soldier.

Yesterday afternoon there was fire
which occasioned considerable excitement
in the neighborhood Of Odd and L streets.
The fire was not very much of an affair in
Itself, but its results were decidedly Sc
rious. An elderly man, who was an in
valid and q sufferer from heart trouble
was overcome by the excitement, and died
a few minutes later. Following shortly on
the heels of that incident a young colored
man was put under arrest, charged with
arson The police made an investigation,
which satisfied them that he was respon-
sible for the fire. He Is the son Of the
owner of the stable where the fire started,
and it is said that he had frequently
threatened to get even with his father by
burning him out
The fire started in a little stable in the
rear Of 2213 l. street, owned and occupied
by John Morgan, colored. Before the en-
gines reached the spot it had spread to the
adjoining stable on the west, owned by
Robert Burrell. Both buildings were de-
stroyed as were a couple of small wood
sheds, and Union Wesley Church. colored
house Of worship, on 23d street, the back
Of which adjoined Morgan's stable, was
badly scorched by the flames. The damage
altogether did not amount to more than
$500.
John Herman, a veteran sixty years of
age, lived in the alley diagonally across
from the stables. During the excitement
he dropped dead A physician was sum-
moned, but it was too late, and Herman
died almost instantly. certificate OF
death from I atGral causes was given ana
the cor ,ner will not be called upon to
hold an inquest.
Herman was an old cavalryman and
lived with his wife. who is Frustrated over
to help save his neighbors' property. His
death resulted from hemorrhage. The
funeral of the dead man will take place
Sunday at 80, the body being taken to st.
oy,1 n
Soldiers Home cemetery. At the home
the procession will be Joined by firing
party from the dead mans veteran COM
rades.
He Was Intoxicated.
After the fire was out Morgan informed
the police that his son James had come
home drunk during the afternoon. and had
demanded some money. When 1t was reused
the young man became very much incensed
and said that he would get even with his
family for treating him so untustly. Put
ting some matches in his pocket ne walked
out the back door. and few moments later
the stable was found to be in flames.
Young Morgan was put under arrest when
| he returned to his fathers house little
| later. He resisted, and 1t required the ef-
| forts of several policemen to subdue him
| He was taken to the station by Policeman
| Parham, and on the way he neither ar
| firmed nor denied his guilt, insisting that
| the police would have to prove him guilty.
Fathers Denunciation.
| This morning the defendant was arraignet
before Judge Miller on q charge of arson
and he entered plea Of not guilty.
| Policeman Parham, who made the arrest
| was in court with number of witnesses
| and the defendants father was the first enc
| called.
That's my boy" said the old man, "and
| he ought to have been hung on the spot, In
| stead of being here
what did he do?" the court inquired.
| HE burned my stable"
| what was in the stable?"
HE let the horse loose first, and II II
hadn't been for the good work done we'd
| all been burned out"
1.-THE fire killed one man." remarked the
officer. 1.-THE shock was SO great that ar
| old man dropped dead"
The defendants father said that his SOL
had threatened to burn the place. and the
Policeman Parham said that Morgan
went to Kinslow's saloon and bought 6
cigar, and while there he asked how the
fire was progressing. The defendant, HI
said, had served time in Jail for an assault
on his father.
Morgan denied the charge, he said, ani
said he would have to prove it on him.
In his own behalf tho defendant made &
denial. He said he did not set fire to thu
stable, nor did he know who did. He ad
United that he had served a term In jail
but was released about six months ago.
Judge Miller held him for the grand Jury
and committed him in default of 81 600 Sc
curity.