Barre evening telegram. (Barre, Vt.) 1898-19??, 1898-08-13
The Ar
son Case
STILL CONTINUED.

The second days hearing in the case
of Phillip Bell and Mrs. Il. j. Denning
charged with arson, was closed at six
O'Clock last evening after examining
eleven witnesses. On of the most i'm
portant witnesses for the defence dur
inc the afternoon was Harry Perry who
testified that stranger acted suspicious
" in the rear of the house. He de-
scribed the person to be short, medium
weight and smooth face, The person is
not known. Mr.. Hoar said after the
hearing that Perry also gave the state
a good deal of valuable evidence.
Yesterday afternoons hearing began
at , o'clock. j. w. Dillon was put on
the stand and stated he was an insur-
ance agent. Witness stated that he in
surcd goods for Mrs. Denning through
the Connecticut Fire Insurance Co..
Mrs. Denning told the witness that the
goods were worth $500. She also told
him that the property was Phillip Bells.
Witnes, looked around the house and
considered $500 a fair amount. Wit
ness said he went to the fire about 4
o'clock Noticed five gallon oil can
in the wood she'd In the rear room he
saw large amount of clothing on the
tloor and noticed that there had been fire
near the sink. Witness opened trunk
and found: gents and lady's clothing in
this room, In the front room the door
was blistered. Did not detect any odor
of kerosene in this room but thought
that there had been kerosene on the
floor Saw gents and lady's shoes on
the floor. Saw lamp nearly full OF
oil. Witness said there had been a fire
in the front hall at the foot of the stairs
Witness said the property was insured
on July 2lst and the insurance was paid
on August 1st. Bell asked the wines,
f one Lav what insurance he would get il
the goods were burned, Witness said
the policy was made out to Bell
Cross examined by Mr.. Gordon. Wit
ness said Mrs Denning did not feel ovel
anxious about insuring the goods. Bel
called on witness the morning OF the
fire. Witness considered 5000. a little
hich for the goods but said nothing tt
= Mrs. Denning at the time. Since The
4 fire witness had heard about threats or
: Bell and Mrs. Denning.
. : Harry Perry said he worked for Mr.
!. -tt1ace. Mrs. Page wokt .li,nA'p. Wi
ness said he slept in the Office that eve
ninp. He saw three children come on
] of the window and Mrs. Denning was il
o the room when he got there. Saw
r Downing kick some burning paper on
" of the front door Went to the window
ana wrapped three times. Witness sai
e curtains were down and that there wa
IS netting on both windows. Heard som
one break the door in that leads to th
hall. Smeled kerosene in the shed
Witness said the Oldest girl had Gallo
dress on but it was not bultoned. Wit
ness could not remember how the other
were dressed.
"a Cross examination by MIR. lapoin
Witness saw man in the she'd but di
! not know him. Stranger did not 'r
t. TO put out the fire. Said the chlIdrc
came out the front window next to IN
40 front door. Saw Mrs. Denning wal
away from the house but did not kno'
~ how she cot out Children had no shoe
es mr. stockings on. Smelled kehosene O
e. vile, he pot to the house. Stranger
Nv the rear of the house told the witne
T. there was no water to put out the llr
- When witness wrapped on the wlndo
Oh and called fire. Mrs. erning said "O
r. NV God. why didn't you tell me before
DIS Witness said he did not see any fire u
no til Mrs. Denning was out OF the nous
% Mrs, Nelson Gay said she had BET
lit taking her meals at Mrs Dennlng
ce Saw hard paper box in the nous
Witness said the box was in Bell $ rool
1t had been in the kitchen. w ltne
racoonzed the cover of the box when
w.s shown her. She went to MI
penning's room on Sunday Nrapp
on the door but no resi- onse came. 1rl
ed the door and it was locked. Mrs. Dc
in, ming did not appear on sunday wh
,ut the witness was around. Saw piclul
,o, on tho wall but they were taken do'
l"' Sunday. Saw them later in Bells roc
ry. on the bed. Did not know where 81
ent went on Monday evening. -.
oO Cross examined by Mr.. Gordon. M
=, Dennjne told witness that she was
VI" inc away and would store her go'
tea with Torsythe e. Ingram. Sold with
that she was tired out and wanted
rest Said she was going to take
children to Burlington.
Ida NJ. Emery said she worked
. Mrs. Denning up to 3 O'Clock lues'
morning. Witness had never seel
hox in the house. She said Mrs. ID
lail nino took pictures down from the "
tho in tie dining room because they mi
.ho Get dirty. Witness did not see any
inc inc hack a box. The saw fire in the
inf Tuesday morning and saw Downing
OF it out
Cross examined by Mr.. Lapoint.
. ot told witness Monday evening, al
:, y " supper time, that he was going to NO
that t;eld to hire his sister TO run the boz
mex ;na honse. Witness said she knew
McCormick, who formerly boarded u
and he occupied room off the din
room that evening.
Mr. Hoar examined again and ~
when the lamps were filled last.
mass replied that it was on Monday
Rut- noon. Witness got the Oil from
~ a in the she'd. She left the D gallon
.t7:o, half full.
'hlch Mrs Lizzie Robinson said she had a
ty TO with Bell about boarders few W
lorn- aoo. Witness said she was not
70, ,,,Ior, any more and a