The times., 1899-12-29

Behind the arrest of Isaac S. Kent. col
ored, at his home, II Fourth Street north
east, late last night, is story bordering
upon tragedy. Kent is charged with set
ting fire TO his store, above which. in
front room, slept his sister and another
relative
detectives Miller and Peck made the
arrest shortly before midnight, and the
prisoner is held at the First precinct sta
tion awaiting a hearing in court today.
Last night Kent is said to have given
signed confession to the authorities. which
viii be Used against him.
The attempt to burn the building which
appears to have been deliberately planned
failed ewing to the weakness Of the pTis-
cner. His arrangements for a complete
destruction of the property were carefully
laid. the entire stock OF groceries and no.
tions in the little store having been sat
urated with COal oil from a thirty gallon
can.
The flooring of the first foor, also, hal
been soaked with oil. 1t was only after
he had fired the building and the flames
began to gain headway that Kent relaxed
in his purpose. Then he hurried above
and awoke the sleepers. Almost immedi
ately he returned below, attempted to eX-
tinguish the fire and, falling in this, left
the house for assistance A policeman
turned in an alarm, and the department
responded and put out the fire.
The stock in the store was insured in the
Northwestern Insurance Company, repre-
sented in this city by r. E. Sullivan. No
tice of the small loss was sent to the com
pany and yesterday afternoon Mr.. Sullivan
went to the premises to investigate. lie
was surprised TO find the stock and much
of the flooring OF the building saturated
with oil and on leaving the building he
reported the matter to the police.
Last night Detectives Miller and Peck
were detailed to the case They visited
the scene Of the fire and. after a short in
vestigation arrested Kent upon charge Of
arson. The prisoner was taken to Police
Headquarters and put through a rigid eX-
animation He at first denied the crime
but later expressed his Willingness TO sign
a written confession. This was secured
by the detectives. and VIII be used against
the prisoner. After an Intellectual effort to
secure bond. Kent was taken to the First
precinct station and locked up for the
night
While making an examination Of the
building last night the detectives noticed
that the footprints of Kent tailed with
those still visible unon the oil-marIed
loor Of the store. Comparison of these
marks with those found on the mating
covering the bedroom floor above led to
the conclusion that Kent was the guilty
party, which belief was strengthened by
other circumstantial evidence The man
was accordingly taken into custody, and
later admitted his guilt
Mr.. Sullivan was seen last night by a re-
porter for The Times. He stated that
Kent had carried policy for 5000 in his
company. The insurance has been running
for several years, the agent stated. It was
entirely upon the stock Of the store, and
had been only lately renewed for another
year. Mr. Sullivan further said that he
began the investigation which led TO the
arrest Of Kent.
He noticed the oil soaked condition OF
the stock and building, he said, and be-
lieved the fire to be the work OF an in
cendiary. Upon questioning Kent Mr..
Sullivan told the reporter that he learned
little about the origin Of the FIRE
The man under arrest admitted that he
believed the flames we're Of incendiary orr
gin" said Mr.. Sullivan. but / could get
DO details from him" Mr.. Sullivan fur
ther said that the company was in no way
liable under the circumstances. He should
leave the matter Of prosecution of Kent
entirely TO the police.
When seen al the police station at a late
hour last night Kent said Il was anxious
TO secure money to leave this city
could not make any money here, and just
kept my head above water hardly that
started the FIRE but with no intention Of
causing the death OF either Of my relatives.
l thought as soon as the fire was well
started 1 could awaken the women upstairs,
so all could escape"
The prisoner talked freely. He said his
wife was at AruEI=l-on-the- Bay. Md.
where she had been for several weeks. 1t
was his purpose. he said, TO Join her there
had the scheme of Obtaining the Insurance
from the company succeeded. Kent stated
that his business had been duh for long
time He said be got up at a. M, spilled
the oil over everything. and then applied
the match. His courage gave out imme-
diately afterward. and he gave the alarm.
PROSPERITY FOR CUBA.