Evening star., 1902-01-17
HOTEL DAMAGED BY FIRE
THE loss EsTIMATED TO BE ABOUT
$500.
Proprietor and Housekeeper Held
Psadiagi an Inxestisetien--Ne
Charge Against Then.

Green's Hotel, corner of 1st and B streets
southeast, was damaged by fire to tie
amount Of about $500 about $50 o'clock
this morning. Because of reports made to
the police an investigation was started,
and John W. Green, the proprietor Of the
hotel, was arrested and held at the sixth
precinct station pending an investigation.
Mamie Strong, who was housekeeper at the
hotel, was also found by the detectives.
After being interviewed at police head
quarters she was taken to the house of de-
tention to be detained until more thor
ough inquiry into the circumstances of the
fire can be made.
No charge has been preferred against
either Mr.. Green or the woman. Assistant
Chief Belt of the fire department said there
was every indication about the house that
the hre was the work of an incendiary.
Assists Three Persons to Escape.
H-was 5:2i o'clock when an alarm was
turned In from box 53 by Policeman Fitton
of the fifth precinct, and before the arrival
OF the fire department he assisted three
persons from the Office window on the
first floor. One of them was MI John W.
Green, proprietor Of the hotel, and an
other was the housekeeper. The third per-
SON was man whose name was given as
Collins. They dressed soon after the names
were discovered, and managed to get out
without causing any excitement:
Assistant Chief Belt of the fire depart
ment reached the scene of the fire two min-
utes after the alarm was sounded, and by
his direction a second alarm was sent In
two minutes later. When the assistant
chief reached the burning house the fire
had spread to all parts or the three-stery
brick structure, and as the adjoining prop
erty was threatened he called for addt-
tional companies. 1t was several minutes
before the f1remen succeeded In getting the
names under control, and later an 1nvesti-
cation was made of the premises Capt
Boardmau detailed Detective Tyser on tie
case, and Precinct Detective Lehman OF
the fifth precinct was also directed to make
an investigation.
Mr.. Sidney Bieber, the fire marshal. took
hand In the investigation as the repre-
sentative of the fire department, and he
conferred with Capt Boardman.
Every Room Damaged.
1t is stated that with the exception of the
hotel Office on the first floor almost every
room in the building was damaged. An un-
finished letter, apparently written by a
lady, was found in the dining room. In the
letter the writer referred to a fire that oc-
CURED in the house nine days ago. Refer
ence was made to the queer antics of
supposed ghost that had roamed about the
mousse, and 1t appeared from statement
made by the writer that the ghost had
been blamed for the fire referred to, but the
writer discredited this claim. She also
wrote in the letter that, because of the
slamming of the doors and the lighting of
gas in the daytime, colored help would not
remain in the house long.
A careful investigation of the building
and contents was made, and $500 was the
sum given as the amount of the damage.
Representative Hit owns the house. Mr..
Green opened. the hotel in May last, and
carried 81 1000 insurance on his furniture.
Several weeks ago Mr.. Green reported to
the police that he was "held up in the
Capitol grounds and robbed of sum of
money. His home Is at 104 Massachusetts,
avenue northwest.