Evening star., 1898-01-18
CLERK ACCUSED OF ARSON
Alexander sigmond Charged With Setting
Fire to His Own Goods.
The Object Stated to be to Collect In
surnncc MOney-Defendant
Denies the Allegation.

Alexander Samuel Sigmund, grocery
| clerk, who has a wife and three children.
was locked up at the second precinct sta
| ticn this morning by Policeman Evans, the
Charge against him being arson. The po-
lice allege that he set fire to his household
effects to get the insurance. He denies
| that he did so, and claims that the fire in
his room was the result of an accident.
When taken to the police station he ex-
pressed great concern about his insurance
money, and he seemed pleased to know
that the policy was safe and sound in Mr..
Goldman's store on Indiana avenue, where
he has been employed during recent
months. The fire occurred this morning
about o'clock at No 81 Pierce street, and
the arrest was made two hours later.
House No. 81 Pierce street is a two-story
trick structure, the lower floor being oc-
cupied as grocery store and dwelling by
Henry Stern and his wife. When Stern
bought the store from Grocer Goldman Sig
muEd and his family occupied the rear
re ON on the second floor He was not able
to rent the entire fiat, and ne promised to
move when Moses Stern got tenant for it.
Mrs. Mildred Walker, a colored woman,
TOOK the other rooms, and Sigmund prom
ised to vacate Saturday afternoon. He
failed to do so, however, and then he said
he would move today.
Mrs. Walker was getting tired of waiting
for the room it is said, and yesterday she
Sigmund would surely leave today, and the
noise in his room nearly all last night gave
Mrs. Walker the impression that he was
packing his household effects, preparatory
to getting out today.
Smoke Discovered.
This morning Mrs. Walker smelled smoke
in the house, as did Clifton Lee a relative,
who lives in her family. Then came a
strong oder of coal oil, it is alleged, and
Lee went out to make an investigation. He
found Mrs Sigmund and her three little
children in the bath room, while the man
was near his room door.
Why don't you shout fire, MANI" said
Mrs. Walker to Sigmund, when she ap-
peared in the hall and saw the big blaze
In his room. Instead OF making an effort
to eXtinguish the flames, it is declared
Sigmund closed the door and was prepar-
ing to leave the house with his family
III put it out" said Lee, who proceeded
to get some water from the bath room.
Mr.. Sigmund,' said Lee to a Star re-
porter, wouldn't let me do much. He
kept me out of the room as we'll as he
could. and then he followed me in the bath
room and wouldn't let me get water"
Sigmurd then locked the door, he said
While the fire was still burning and went
away with his wife and children. Colored
people in the neghborhood cried Fire
and Policeman Evans turned in an alarm
fIom box c..
found the door locked, and it was neces-
sary to break it open.
Several chairs and a table were piled
near the window, and beneath them was an
overturned coal oil stove. A bottle that
had contained coal oil was also beneath the
table. The bottoms had been burned out
of three of the chairs. and some of the
debris was thrown out the window. When
The flames had been extinguished it was
seen that where the oil had soaked in the
floor the timbers were charred.
Inccndiarism Suspected.
Policeman Evans and the firemen con-
cluded that the circumstances indicated the
work of an incendiary, and when the state
ments Of the colored people were heard the
officer made up his mind to arrest Sig
muEd. This was the only name he could
learn. Grocer Stern and his wife, as well
as the colored people, knew him only as
SiSmund, and the officer went in search
of him He learned that the woman, with
her three children in a baby carriage, had
gene to the house OF a friend in an alley
near the scene of the fire The husba nd
was not to be found. although it was
thought he would call at his employers
store on Indiana avenue later in the day.
From the house in the alley Mrs. Sigmund
and her children went to 12DS 9TH street,
and the police called there to see her.
w lille this search was being made Sigmund
returned to the house on Pierce street and
fastened the doo:' with a piece of rag.
Then he went in the direction of his store.
and Policeman Evans arrested him. His;
arrest appeared to surprise MIN. but he ac-
companied the officer to the station without
giving him any trouble, where he was
locked M.
An officer was sent to the house on 9Th
street ID interview the wife, but she would
say nothing about the fire. she also stated
that she knew nothing about the insurance
on the household effects.
Of GnnlS
Sergeant Jordan and Precinct Detective
Barnes visited the house and assisted in the
investigation. They took an inventory of
the things in the room and afterward de
clared that what was there would not
bring much lnore than $50 at auction. There
were two beds, several chairs, a bureau,
table ard stove, besides several other small
articles of furniture. Some of the clothing
had been brown loosely about the table
and chairs and some OF it had been burned.
On a small tG BILE in the room were several
dry crusts of bread and a few dishes.
The appearance of the fire engines on
Pierce street resulted in the drawing of Il
big crowd, and a report that child had
been burned to death caused some excite
ment Sigmund will probably be taken to
the Police Court tomorrow.