The morning times., 1896-06-23

Emil West, proprietor OF q clothing and
furnishing store at No. 432 Seventh street
northwest. was arrested last night by
Policeman Heller on the charge OF arson.
1t is alleged that lie attempted to set fire
to the building occupied by Eiseman Broth
ers at the corner OF Seventh AMI E streets.
Eiseman Brotbers' place OF business Is
situated almost directly across the street
from Mr. Vests store. The police say
they have a very strong case against their
prisoner.
At SIS o'clock last night an alarm OF
fire was sent in from box No. 125. The
engines responding found flames issuing
from the grating in the side walk on the
Z street SIDE OF tine Eiseman building. The
firemen raised the grating and discovered
Il large packing case containing rags ana
waste paper on fire.
The plaze was extingashed with hand
grenades and pals OF water, and the engines
did not go into action. About this time
Policeman Heller was on his way to the
station with Mr.. West. The officer had
found his prisoner in tine Dawson House, No.
630 Pennsylvania avenue, where Mr.. West
had gone shortly inter the alarm OF fire
had been tarned III.
WEST WAS FOLLOWED.
He had been followed To the totel by
Mr.. Frederick Rhodes, young man who
had seen West near Eisemans store. Ar.
Rhodes is the chief witness against West,
and his story, which he tells in very
straightforward manner. is very damag.ng
TO the merchant. MIR. Rhodes is u stenug-
rapher employed by the Southern Railway
CpInpuny. He Iooms with his father. IN
the Mays Building. situated directly
across street from Eiseman Brothers
store. He was sitting near a window In
his room. Which looks oat on Z street, short
ly after O'Clock. when he saw man
coming from the direction of Seventh
street. His attention was attracted to tie
man because OF his actions.
Tie man stopped under the aw min.
stretched from Eiseman Brothers store,
and according to Rhodes. looked hur-
rcdly up and down the street. He then
stepped quickly over To tue grating and.
Rhodes says, stopped and thrust small
package between the iron bars. He then
ran along E street. toward Sixth, until
lie reached the shadow of the trees and
was out OF the glare of the electric lights.
Here i.e stopped a nd looked back toward the
grating.
Mr. Rhodes curiosity was aroused and he
resolved TO see what the man had slipped
under tie grating. Hastily descending to
the street he. walked out on To the pave
meDt. The man had returned. and was
peering down into the little cellar. As
Mr. Rhodes reached the street flame
suddenly burst up from under tile grating.
lighting up the side of the building.
The man at once started toward Sixth
street at rapid pace. Mr. Rhodes, on the
impulse of the moment, gave chase.
LED HIM A CHASE.
The man tumed into an alley midway %
and To- ri m EmnrT-
ing on that tberoughfnre he turn ed again
and ran toward Seventh street. Plunging
into the crowd he slackened his pace soIne-
what but still kept a lively gait When
bcreached the venue he hesitated moment
and then walked rapidly across and disap-
pearcd behind the doors OF the Dawson
House.
Rhodes. who had followed close behind
called to friend who was passing TO
watch the house while he went in scarch
of an officer. The young man returned IN
moment with Policeman Heller. aud to-
gcther they entered the hotel The lower
flower of the Dawson House Is occupied
as -shcc store. while the rooms are above
The officer assembled to the second fioor
and ruppcd on the banisters with bis stick
Mr. Dawson. who was seated in rear
room, came to the door and asked what was
wanted.
Il am looking for that man who Just
came in" sid Policeman Heller.
ION. you mean Mr. West Davison re-
piled. He stepped into the rear room and
called to his guest. telling him thata Police
man and Il young man had called TO see
him and were stIndinE in the fall- MI
Dawson then asked MI West had he done
anything and tie latter replied no, but did
moi seem willing 10 enter the hall.
Meantime Policeman Heller had become
impatient and pushed open the door.
That's the man, Officer said Rhodes. as
soon as he caught sight of West. Heller
Immediately placed West under arrest
telling him that he wanted him for setting
fire to a building.
WEST TOOK IT CALMLY.
West took the matter very calmly, ex-
pressing no surprise nor even inquirins to
what building the policeman referred. on
the way TO the station, however, he re-
marked that he had set fire to no build
ing, but even then asked no questions re-
ga riding the charge against him.
Mr.. West was seen last night and asked
for a statement of his side OF the case.
He lay on the bench in his cell and refused
at first to answer. He appeared very
much agitated and very nervous and re-
fused absolutely to make a statement
To all questions ne merely answered:
..See my lawyer. have nothing what
ever to say
Mr.. west has retained Col. william A.
Cook to represent him, and that gentleman
spoke Ia general terms OF the case.
Col. Cook said Mr.. West had left his store
about the usual fine and walked along T.
street past EisemaH Bros. store. AS
ne was passing the grating flames suddenly
shot UP along the side of the building.
Mr.. West, said Col. Cook. then proceeded
TO the Dawson House, where he knew some
of tho hoariara That was all there was
in 1t.
Mr. Lewis Eisenan was seen last night
but had very little TO say. He stated that
Mr.. West and himself had always been
on friendly terms. They had never had
any business transactions and there was
no reason 80 FAR as ne knew why Mr..
West should attempt to set fire to his store.
Late last night Mt. West was released on
sFOo bonds for his appearance in court this
morning.