The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1899-01-20
FIRE BUGS ALLEGED.
Continued from. First Page.

take the extinguishers and go down the
lane, from which point there seemed a
chance of getting control of the flames.
Mr.. Foote also said the fire was in the
basement of the Griswold house. No
person, so far as he was able to ascertain,
was seen running away from the fire or
acting in a suspicious manner.
eThe night Waterman, who, it was
said, did not show up until day light,
was on his post and was seen by me at
3.45 a. M. The other private Waterman.
of whom considerable had been said, was
seen by resident on his post at $50 a.
m. and by two others at the time the
alarm was sounded.
1.-THE suspicious looking person in the
rear of the fire on King street, seen by
people living on Pine street, proved to be
man who left his home and went there
to see the fire.
'sThe explosion that occurred and
which is said to have awakened the ser
wants in the Tiers house, did not have
this effect, as the servants were not only
awake at that time but were outside.
"The colored cook that left Mrs. Girls
void in anger about two weeks before
the fire, left town the day after the &C
currence and has not since been seen.
"The fve-gallon oil can, the most
mysterious of all supposed clues and
ownership of which was disclaimed by
the occupants of the premises, upon in
vestigation was found to belong to the
house Learning that the house was
lighted by electricity and gas only, set
to work to find who did own the oil can
The can had an odd sort of faucet and
was easy to identify. | found oil had
been bought on November 5 last and at
other times previous, and transferred to
said can by a grocer's clerk. The latter
fully described the can, as did one of
the servants of the house. There was
about quart of oil in the vessel when
found, but at Police headquarters. where
| tried to burn some of the contents, it
failed to ignite, evidently being more
water than oil.
81 learned upon inquiry that the kitch-
On range had been used the day before
for a five o'clock tea and that there was
q fire in the furnace, which was an old
one and not bricked up around it.
1.-The Griswold house occupied the
whole width of the lot, and to get to the
kitchen was obliged to enter from the
front, down stairs and go through pas
sage way under the house. There was
nigh board fence around the lot, with
no gate in the rear.
"The Holly barn fire was discovered by
Miss Murray, who sent in the alarm, and
BY Michael Bowling at about the same
lime. Mr.. Bowling ran to the barn and
.ound the door open. Inside, and near
Do a pile of rags. On the barn boards
kosJ 10 Of nfhinrr fhof |
night have been kerosene. The flames
eemed to be licking up this liquid. The
BARN was used for wood and coal and
contained also quantity of old carpet
Ind more or less litter. Mr.. Bowling |
an over to the Elm street fire to notify |
he firemen, and chemical engine with
Washington hose carriage responded,
When the firemen arrived the barn door
vas closed. No one had been seen in
he vicinity acting suspiciously.
II cannot report anything further at
present, but we are still working on the
Ease. take this opportunity, however,
% respectfully recommend that more
nen be appointed, especially for night |
luty. At present there are but three
men to patrol the whole town and one at
Four men cannot possibly |
Do expected to cover this territory prop
srly. There should be at least eight
night posts with sergeant and rounds
nan in charge"
An ordinance was passed creating
he offices of sergeant and roundsman,
and the mayor and police committee
we're given power to make rules for the
force not conflicting with State laws,
without the ratification of Council. j.
J. Morrison was appointed sergeant and
l.. L. Henderson,, roundsman.
George w. Kip; who was present at the
stated that a number of citizens
in, and near Morristown had subscribed
81, 500 and werc going to offer this
amount for the arrest and conviction OF
On motion of Alderman Reed the
mayor was authorized to issue procla-
nation offering the same amount as the
EANAN- NOIIDT AAADTtAt