Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1898-08-01
ACCUSED OF ARSON.
Michael Zemany Charged with Burning
His BuiIdIng on July II.


Councilman Michael Zemany was
given hearing on Saturday evening by
Squire Fl. A. Shovlin on the charge of
arson, preferred by Mrs. William Jen-
kins, and was committed without bail to
await the action of the grand jury.
Yesterday he was released from custody
by going to Wilkesbarre and entering
bail In the sum Of 81 $50, John T. Lena
han, ESQ, appearing as his attorney,
and Peter Shambora, OF Freeland, quail
flying as bondsman. He returned to his
homo At 1870 O'Clock last evening.
Mrs. Jenkins is tho owner OF the
residence which adjoincd the property
OF Mr.. Zomany, which was destroyed by
fire on July IA. The Jenkins property
was severely damaged and the residents
of the block, II. A. Shovlin and family
and George Pagan and family, narrowly
escaped death at the time. From the
first it was suspected that tho fire was
OF incendiary origin, and this belief was
strengthened on Friday when it was
learned that there was $2, 400 insurance
on tho Iemany property and stock,
placed by Hazleton agents in the Lon
don and Liverpool Insurance Company.
The TRIBUNE, on the day OF the fire,
published that there was no insurance
carried by any of the victims of the
blaze. This statement was made after
each OF the persons interested had
informed representatives of tho paper to
this effect. Consequently, when 1t was
learned on Friday last that one OF the
buildings was insured, local sentiment
rose against the owner and eliminated
In his arrest on the charge of arson,
the prosecutor being Mrs. Jenkins.
AT tho hearing tho defendant was con-
frontsd by Miss Katie Shovlin, daughter
of Daniel Shovlin, who lives nearly
opposite tho burned building. She had
occasion to look out the window of her
room at 3.15 O'Clock the morning of the
fire. She remaked to her sister, "There
goes Mike Zsmany." Her sister, Miss
Ella Shovlin, corroborated this testi-
mony. Their brother, John H. Shoylin,
discovered the fire, roused the people in
the adjoining block and is positive the
blaze was burning within the building
when he saw it,
James j. Ward, while running to the
fire, passed Mr.. Zemany walking in the
same direction on Washington street.
Patrick Furey, residing at Ridge and
South streets met him on Luzerne below
Cautrn walkinu IN ar1o
from the fire, after the alarm had been
sounded. p. M. Sweeney heard him
state during the fire that he had no in
surance on tho property.
No defense was made, Attorney
Brown, for Mr.. Iemany, maintaining
that tho witnesses failed to connect his
client with the burning OF the building,
that the statements concerning insur-
ance were probably made to protect him
from creditors and that rs the whole
matter rested upon the question OF the
Identity Of the man seen by Miss Shov-
lin there was no case made out against
the defendant.
Attorney Carr, on behalf of Mrs. Jen-
kins, reviewed the testimony of tho sew
eral witnesses and insisted that 1t was
more than sufficient to hold Mr.. Zemany
upon this charge, that there was no
question OF identity and that the insur-
ance feature showed a strong motive for
the act.
Both lawyers made eloquent pleas and
fought hard for their respective sides.
The decision of the Justice was that Mr..
Iemany be committed, the law not por-
hitting him to accept bail The accus-
cd was then placed In the lookup, but
was released Il few minutes later and at
o'clock Sunday morning drove to
Wilkesbarre in charge Of High Constable
Molik and entered bail as stated above.
The arrest has caused much excite
ment in town. There is a general dis
position, on account OF the prominence
of the accused, to suspend Judgment
until the case reaches court. The pros
ecution claims to possess additional cir
cumstantial proof Of the charge, while
the defendant maintains that he can es-
tablsh his innocence.