The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-01-15
METCALF Is ACQUITTED
chiffon FORGE INcENDfiRY rs
ClPES THE CHARGE1GdfNsT MN.
The Evidence Threw a Strong suspicion on
Him, but Was Not sufficient to Convict.
History of the Trial.

CONVICTION. VA, Jan 14-Speciai.--
The trial OF w Parker Mstcalf. charged
with setting fire to the Moody q Carpen-
ter building. in Clifton Forge, on the
morning OF November 3, 1s9J, which has
been IN progress here since the sth In
slant. ended to-day, the jury returning a
verdict OF acquittal.
The verdict was quietly received. but
mutterings OF disapproval could be heard
from the residents OF Clifton Forge. many
Of whom assert that Metcalf VIII not be
permitted to resume his residence IN that
town.
The general opinion is that while the
Commonwealth evidence threw very
strong suspicion upon Metcalt, II was not
sufficient 10 fasten the preparation of the
crime upon him, and WnlIe IL Is generally
thought that he IS guilty man, the YER
diet Is generally acquicsced In.
The case has excited the deepest in
terest The courtroom has been crowded
daily since the commencement of the
trial on the 9Th instant. The Common
wealth was represented by George a.
ReNercOmD. the Commonwealth AttOr-
ney. and SIR Benjamin Haden, of Fin
castle, who was employed as assistant
10 the prosecution by citizens OF Clifton
Forge, among whom the opinion Is al
most unanimous that Metcalf Is guilty.
ne utAfntf WIS 'RA'ANA'A NF W. f.
Allen, commonwealth Attorney, as
sisted by Messrs. John A. Bowles and
John W. Bear OF Clifton Forge.
When the verdict was announced the
prisoner was a1ectionately embraced by
his wife and his aged mother, who, with
his two young sons, were cOnstanuy win
INN during the whole trial. The history
OF the case Is as follows.
For about three months prior TO the at
tempt TO burn the Moody q Carpenter
buildings the residents OF Clifton Forge
were kept I'm "a state Of terror by The
frequency Of incendiary hres IN the city,
in one Of which Mr.. James A. Ford,
highly-esteemed and wealthy citizen, lost
his life. The fires showed Enthusiastically
that they were started by some hendish
hand.
Special policemen were employed 10 APP
preheud the diabOlical nend. who made
peaceful slumDer impossible. Different
persons were suspected and vigilant watch
was kept upon their movements.
one OF the suspects was W. Parker Met
calf a member Of the Fire Department,
who was noted for his prOmDtncss in re-
spending 10 alarms Of fire and rendering
efficient services in eXuuBuishing the
same, frequently with Imminent danger
About / O'Clock in the morning Of No
vember ID last he was seen in the Vie
entity Of the freight yard OF the thcsd-
peako and Ohio railroad
j. ". Harris, q special policeman, saw
him 20 TO a freight car and take from u
some car waste. or dope, ana conceal ~
about hi- person. From the railroad he
was Swallowed by four or five men until
he was seen 10 enter the front door OF the
Moody d Carpenter building, a portion OF
the upper part OF which constituted the
residence OF his family, consisting Of
mother. wife, and TWO children
About fifteen minutes after he was
seen TO enter the building fire was dis
covered in an office across the hallway
from the apartment occupied Boy his fam
lis. and when the building was broken
into and the fire eXtinguished small
portion Of PARTIALLY burned dope was found
in a vacant room near the door between
a vacant room and the office. The first
flash OF fire was seen in the vacant room
about five minutes after hc entered the
building, but seemed To- die out, and then
in about nine minutes more blaze was
seen I'm the Office. A hole l3 by inches
was burned I'm the door.
The thickness Of the door and the
short time IN which, according 10 the
evidence FOR the Commonwealth, the hole
was burned through it had great influence
i'm causing the jury 10 decide that the
evidence did not prove that MetcalI
started the fire.