The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1899-12-29
Discovery Of Alleged Conspiracy
on Lake Washington.
SENSATION MAY BE DEVELOPED
Prosecuting Atternsy's office In
formed Of IN Alleged Attempt 70
Destroy . Lake ateamer-CaDt.
Dartch, Owner Of the Gaselle,
said to Have Obtained . Confess
sion From Alleged Incendiaries.

A sensation in the criminal annals Of
King county, bearing upon the war that
has ragged for months past between rival
steamboat masters on Lake washington.
Is about to be sprung. Information was
yesterday furnished to the prosecuting at
torney's office tending to show that GER
tain people interested In steamers plying
on the lake had plotted the destruction
by fire of rival boats. The matter was
in such shape. however, that no war
rant was issued last night by the prose-
cutting attorney. However. developments
today may open up the whole story.
From sources that are strictly reliable.
the Post-Intelligencer learned yesterday
that Capt. George Bartch. master Of tho
steamer Gazelle, one Of the best-known
boats on Lake Washington. had unearthed
a conspiracy to burn his steamer and also
the steamer City Of Renton The infor-
nation In the possession Of Capt. Bartch,
according to his own statement, II in
the form OF an affidavit, or sworn state
ment, alleged to have been made by the
guilty party. The latter IL alleged to be
a steamboat man who has certain inter-
ests on Lake Washington.
As the story goes, Capt. Bartch ascer-
tanned a few days ago that a plot had been
matured for the burning of his steamer,
the Gazelle, and also the City Of Renton.
Before the act could be carried out. how
ever. Capt. Bartch learned Of the con-
spiracy and Immediately set to work to
trap the alleged incendiary. The story
told yesterday to the prosecuting attorney
was to the effect, It Is understood. that
Bartch had obtained confession from the
guilty one. The exposure of this man
may occur at any moment. If the authori-
ties act sensation of considerable pro-
portions will be developed.
The fact that Capt. Bartch has discov-
cred an alleged conspiracy to destroy the
Gazelle brings to mind the burning Of that
steamer July 81 last. The steamer lay at
Kirkland. She was tenantless, master and
crew having left her for the night. Just
before the first gray streaks of dawn
overspread the CLASSY surface Of the lake.
flames broke from the hull Of the Ga
zelle. The shore for several miles was lit
up by the confiagration, which ceased only
when the flames reached the waters edge.
Then the little steamer sank.
The loss entailed by the burning Of the
Gazelie was 5000. The origin Of the fire
was wrapped in mystery, which has never
been penetrated to this day. Lake shore
jewellers and the ranchers living ON the
hills beyond speculated and gossiped for
weeks concerning the destruction OF the
little steamer Naturally, stories were cir
culated rcnecting on different people en-
gagged In steamboating on the lake. How
ever. there was no evidence adduced to
fix the guilt on any one man.
The intimation is broadly given out by
friends of Capt. Bartch that the present
alleged conspiracy to burn the Gazelle is
connected with the fire OF last July. The
story goes that the alleged incendiary was
given $40 and promise Of $50 moro to
apply the torch to the little steamer as
she lay at her landing at Kirkland. Fur
Their, 1t Is alleged that information of the
alleged incendiary's plans was given to
Capt. Bartch, who is said to have dIscov-
cred the whole plot and to have obtained
confessions from the guilty ones.