The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-09-23

Those he wrote to . FORMER sweetheart Zig
ure in His TRIAL for Arson.

ure In His Trial for Arson.
The most interesting witness yesterday at the
continuation OF the trial Of Dentist Otto Il. Alba
nesius for arson, which was begun on Tuesday in
the General Sessions court in Jersey City, was
Miss Lillian Beck. For some time before the
IRE and until after his indictment Albanesius
was paying attention TO Miss Beck. 1t was
understood that they were engaged. After
his indictment Albanesius transferred his at
~tentions to Miss Title Schalb. It Is under
stood that Misc Schsub would have been a wit
ness for The State II Albanestus had not made
her his wife. Miss Beck identified four letters
which she had received from the defendant
She returned them to him at his request.
The letters were not read. as they were mere
y introduced as specimens of the defendants
handwriting. The State is depending for con-
number Of anonymous letters re, eived by Al.
banesius were written by himself for the pur-
pose OF creating the impression that his house
was set on Dire by SOME secret enemy.
The first witnesses called yesterday were
three women, who testified that they saw a
light in the rear extension OF the house between
$50 and 10 o'clock on the night OF tho fire.
William Hornblower OF 322 Central avenue and
DR.. all or los Griffith street saw Albanesius
in kessler Hall. q block away from his house.
at 9:4O on the night or the fire. He came from
the direction OF his house.
John f. Muller. an insurance agent and ad-
tuSter. testified that at the suggestion OF Chief
OF Police Murphy ne wrote a lotter to .Albane-
sius for the purpose OF getting a reply which
could be used as a specimen OF his hand writing.
Albanesius answered the letter. Muller a few
days later went TO his house and asked him II
the letter was in his own handwriting. Al
banestu5 said in the presence of a witness that
Il was Muller turned the letter over TO Chief
Murphy.
This was a trap you put up. was itr' asked
Not exactly" replied the witness. Il wrote
TO him TO get some information as web as to
get a specimen OF his writing The letter
was admitted in evidence, and an exception
was taken by the defence.
Albert II. Dorr OF Garfield avenue identified
some of Albanesius's hand writing. On the
morning after the fire he was standing on the
stoop with Albanesius when a letter carrier
came and handed Albanesius a letter. Al
banesius read 1t and handed it 70 the witness.
When the witness had read IL AlUanesius asked.
What would you do with itl'
Il would turn 1t over to the Chief of Police"
the witness said he replied. Albancsius gave
him the letter and he turned II over to Chief
Murphy. 1t was one OF the threatening letters.
Prosecutor Winfield will endeavor TO show that
II was written inst before the fire.
Two witnesses testified that two big mastiffs
which Albanesius kept in his rear yard were
extremely vic Gus, especially when :ney saw a
stranger. and that they made no noise on the
uight OF the fre.
Chief Murphy told in detail all the steps he
had taken to trace the crime to Albanesius.
When he thought he had sufficient evidence
he submitted IL 20 the Grand Jury, and an in
dictment followed.
Daniel T. Ames. the wei. KIN own expert in
hand writing, testified that the letters which
were proved to have been written by Albanesius
and tho anonymous threatening letters We're
in the same hand writing. The trial will be
continued to-day.