Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1897-06-18
w WHEELING REGISTER FRlDAY,JUNE Is, 1897

tOgra pms. Col. Arnett ODJeCteu lldL part
of the windows were unobstructed by
boxes. TO which witness said before the
fire the whole windows were INSTRUCTED
by the boxes, but after the fire part OF
the boxes had been removed. The boxes
were close TO the windows. before the fire,
and those which remained after the fire
were also close TO the windows. Witness
knew nothing of boxes being piled on either
side of the room. Witness attention 10
the boxes in front of the windows. before
the fire, was called by Messrs. Morgan and
Rice. Witness tried to get into the store,
but could not, the doors being locked.
Witness tried half-a-dozen times Monday
before the fire, TO get into the building
that day, but could not. 1--WE expected
fire. and took steps to cancel the policies
by leaving a written notice for Mr.. Eaton
at the Stamm House"
ION the night of the fire, I heard the
alarm and got up and found out the box.
and knew where the fire was This was
struck out. Witness said he felt no worse
against the defendant than any other
good citizen. Il have nothing against the
man"
On redirect examination, witness said
he gave the policies TO Homer Reynolds.
at the Stamm House. to be put in Eaton's
key box Witness said after the fire no
boxes were piled along the side Of the
room. dozen or so boxes had been tum-
bled back from the windows and there
were three or four more in the rear of the
store. When witness and Messrs. Rice and
Morgan saw the boxes in front of the store
the day before the fire. they went down
there for the especial purpose of looking
at the building. Defense objected TO
question az to how they came to so there.
d. G. Morgan was the next witness call
ed. After Identifying himself and his
business, witness said he first met Eaton
about the 10th of February, in the store.
No 1902 Main street. He was just stand
ing around there, and there were some
boxes said TO contain goods" Witness
went to the store with Mr.. w. r. Rice as
Eaton had applied for some insurance. No
application had been made to witness at
that time. They found no goods down
stairs. but a few boxes Eaton said most
of the goods were up stairs, but witness
did not go up. Rice issued policy for ST.
SEQ Eaton said he had $1,50O insurance, and
the goods at that time were valued at 81
500. He said the $500 insurance was with
]. V. L. Rodgers, and he had no other. Ea-
ton said his stock would be increasing all
the time as it would be coming up from
the depot He said his complete stock
would be valued at $4,000. Defendant APP
piled to witness a day or two later-on
Saturday. and said he had gotten more
goods in and wanted more insurance. as
his stock was then worth $500 or 5000.
Witness issued a policy of 81 800 in the Lon
don Assurance.
Here the State showed that on Wednes-
day a notice in writing had been served
on defendant to produce the policies, and
they had not been produced.
Col. Arnett-That was a nice time; after
dark last night.
Mr.. Sommerville-It was more time than
you made use Of
Witness said defendant said he wanted TO
increase his insurance as he increased
his stock. and that he only had 5000 in
all. 81, 800 with Rodgers and $500 with
Rice. Defendant said he wanted to take
no chances" Witness first issued policy
for $500 which made made a total of 81
500 according to Eaton, but $500 in fact
and still later Eaton got another policy of
$3.50 from witness, which made $500 in
fact, but only $6,C0O according to Eaton's
statement. After the issuance of this sec
ond policy witness heard some reports"
and hunted Eaton Saturday. Sunday and
Monday, but did not find him until Mon
day afternoon at los, at the 3. e o. depot.
Eaton said he was going away, with no
one in charge. Eaton said he could not
trust any one. when witness said it looked
very bad and demanded his policy back,
both because it looked bad" and because
Eaton had not paid for it. as he had prom
ised. Eaton said he would make it all
right, and would be back by Friday, and
then the train pulled out. When the fire
occurred, witness was at home. He was
told by Mr.. Rice Eaton's store was on fire,
and went down. The fire was out. but wa
ter was still being thrown.
Witness then described the condition of
the goods, the building. etc, much as Maj.
Rodgers had done. this portion of the ex-
animation being prolonged.
". c. Brown. the photographer, was
called and identified the photographs, etc.
Court adjourned at half-past five until
this morning.