The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-09-17
The Stuff Spread ALI Over the
Furniture, Walls and
Carpets.
COVERED BY LARGE INSURANCE
How M. C. Wenceslow, the Proprie-
tor, Took Out Policies Under
Two Different Names.

ing an attempt was made to burn out the
saloon at 311 Bush street, near Montgom-
cry. 1t will be remem bered that year;
ago this place was the headquarters Of
| Christopher Buckley, and many man
entered the front door and departed from
the back door that opens on the little
alley, made or marred for life. For sew
eral months it was unoccupied, but last
June it was rented by Nj. C. Winslow,
who reopened the old well-known saloon.
From all accounts Winslow's venture
was not great success, and on the 18th
the Sheriff took charge of the business
upon an attachment in favor of D. E.
Besecker, who wanted payment on $40 SO
butcher bill. 1t was stated that another
of Winslow's creditors was about to levy
another attachment for $500. To state the
case briefly Winslow was anything but
prosperous, and the financial clouds
seemed to be gathering fast on his horI-
zon.
Fire Marshal Charles Towe yesterday re-
ceive1 word that an attempt had been
made to burn the saloon during the night
and he at once made an investigation, and
the evidence he obtained led him to be-
lieve that he knew who the man was who
com united the deed. The plan was evil
IDENTIFY well laid, but, like many of SIM
liar nature 1t miscarried because the per-
Detrator was ignorant of a few natural
laws. Coal oil had been poured all over
the floor, walls ana portieres that divide
the small cardrooms in the rear. The
match had been applied, and the flames
spread up the wall and consumed the cur
tains and then went out.
The reason for this was the fellow who
applied the match did not want the first
burst OF flames to be seen from the street,
and he closed the doors 10 the main saloon
and the fire died out for want of fresh air
and draught. Had the plan been sue
cess the Office of the Breeder and Sports
man paper and a jeweIry mandatory in
the second and third stories would have
been destroyed or badly damaged
Dan Fallon, the night barkeeper, left
the saloon safe and securely locked at 2
o'clock in the morning, and at 6 O'Clock
Fred Schenkel, the day barkeeper, entered
the place and made the discovery. None
of The doors had been forced or broken,
and the only other person who had q key
to the premises was Winslow, the pro-
prietor.
Later in the day telephone message
was received from Winslow, who said be
was in San Jose. Fire Marshal Towe
looked over the premises and decided
that there was not over $500 or $500 worth
of stock and fixtures in the place. He
further found that the saloon was run I'M
der the names of ]. S. and NJ. G. Winslow.
although who ]. S. Winslow is was a mys-
terry. Another popularity that the Fire
Marshal learned was that since June Win
slow had taken ont two fire insurance
policies, one for $1,000 In the name of Nj.
c. Winslow, and the other for $500 in an
other company in the name of NJ. c. Wen
ceslow. An insurance of $500 on $500
worth of property, taken out in two poll
cies and in two names, caused grave
suspicion in the mind of the Fire Marshal.
and he asked the Deputy Sheriff in charge
OF the saloon TO inform him as soon as the
proprietor OF the place put in an appear
ance.
Late in the afternoon Winslow went to
the saloon and Mr.. Towe was telephoned
for. He questioned Winslow for near.y
an hour. The latter said that on Tuesday
afternoon be went TO Haywards TO see a
friend about raising money to pay off the
claims standing against him, and from
Haywards he went to San Jose in buggy
and was there at the time of the fire.
He said that the difference in the names
in the two insurance policies was a mis-
take OF the agent, and that while his true
name is Wenceslow he is often called
Winslow and so signs himself occasionally.
He stated that J. S. Winslow or Wences-
low Is bis brother, who is now residing in
Guadalupe.
Fire Marshal Towe is anything but sat-
isfied with his investigation and his inter-
view with Winslow or WencesIow. The
latter was directed to call at the office of
Mr.. Towe this afternoon, when a more
searching inquiry will be made. He for
merly lived in Oakland, so he said, and at
present he lives with his wife on Powell
street, near Sacramento.