New-York tribune., 1902-03-22
SET ASTOR HOUSE AFIRE.
THE CONFESSION OF f J. FARLEY, A
MUCH EXPERIENCED PYROMANIAC.
FIRE MARSHAL FREEL SAYS THE MAN HAS
SET AT LEAST A SCORE OF FIRES. AND
PROBABLY A HUNDRED.

After confessing 10 starting nine fires in the
Astor House within year Edward J. Farley,
employed as an elevator man in the hotel. was
arrested early yesterday morning. Later he
was held for examination in the Centre-st.
court Fire Marshal Freel. who made the ar
rest, declared that Farley pyromaniac,
and had started many other fires in addition to
those started in the Astor House The only rea-
son Farley. whose brother is a policeman. could
give for starting the fires, that he wanted
opportunities 10 show bravery in helping to ex-
tinguish them. Whenever he drank too much
liquor. he said. he felt an uncomfortable desire
70 help extngush blaze None Of the fires
he started in the Astor House caused much
damage. but the hotel management was worried
almost 10 despair by the recurrence of incen-
diarism before the author Of the mischief was
detected.
Farley drew suspicion upon himself last
Wednesday evening by starting three fires in
the hotel within an hour. The previous fires
had been discovered and put out at intervals of
several weeks. Farley always had been one OF
the first Of the hotel employees to get to the par
ficular room where a blaze was and aid in ex-
tinsuishing the flames. u. NJ sanderson. the
hotel detective. thought for a time that the
fires were started by thieves who wanted oppor-
tunities TO steal in the excitement that fire
creates. He changed his mind, and concluded
that there another motive for the fires on
Wednesday evening
Sanderson was trying 10 induce guest with
too much liquor aboard to leave the hotel cor
rioor, when cry Of fire raised on the top
floor. He up swiftly, and saw Farley and
other employees putting out a trifing blaze in
wardrobe in unoccupied room. Farley said
he burned his fingers. The confusion attending
the little fire had barely subsided when a lace
curtain in the corridor on the Vesey-st side Of
the hotel was seen TO he ablaze. Farley helped
20 tear down the curtain and stamp out the
flames. little later there was another com
motion when smoke was seen to be coming ont
Of room No 800, on the top floor
Not many minutes before that Sanderson had
passed through the top story Of the hotel, and
had closed and locked the doors Of several IN
occupied rooms there. Room No 800 was one
OF those rooms. The detective was one of the
hrst 10 get into the room after the smoke was
observed. He discovered that somebody had
started a fire IN one of the empty drawers Of a
dressing case. It took only few seconds 70 nrIt
Out the hre. While the detective work in
1he room farley rushed in and around in
much excitement Suddenly without apparent
reason, Farley dashed his fist through a window
pane, cutting his hand severely His act sur
prised the detective. Thinking about 81 later
and remembering Farley's conduct at previous
fires Sanderson concluded that Farley needed
On Thursday night Fire Marshal Freel and
two assistants were IN the hotel, and Sanderson
Farley was taken into the office and subjected
70 q long examination. AT first he declared that
he knew nothing about the origin Of the sus-
plclous hres When he was searched a key that
htted The lock Of room No. 800 was found In his
pocket. He weakened at length, and admitted
that he had started all the fires on Wednesday
evening. It was about o'clock yesterday
morning when Farley signed written confess
sion. and was arrested. He was taken TO the
Church-st. station and locked UP until II was
time 10 take him 10 the police court. At the re-
quest Of Fire Marshal Freel. Farley was re-
dad Tfe Ei,-+E-
near Fire Headquarters where he will remain
until Tuesday, when he VIII have al examna-
Ucn in the police court.
In his confession Farley said he lived at No.
1G6 East Eighty-elg ghth-st His father and other
members Of his family live there, but member
OF the family said yesterday that Farley had not
been there. except 10 make occasional visit.
for long time. He was twenty-nine years old
ana unmarried II was said. one Of the family
said Edward must be crazy. and should be sent
10 prison or an insane asylum. The family
would not try to defend him it was said
4 don't know why / committed these acts, -
Farley said at the end of his confession. 4
was under the influence Of liquor at the time.
duty
Fire Marshal Freel said yesterday that he be
heved Farley had set fires at the Broadway Cen
tral Hotel. Al COBALT d Iheils iron works, IN
Bethune-st: at No. 113 East Ninety-sixth-st at
No. I5It Thrd-ave. and at No. III East one
hundred-and- -hrst-st. At the latter place there
were four suspicious fires. There was a sus-
pcious fire in the Grand Union Hotel, at Sara
toga, whore Farley employed. but
Farley has denied that he was there at the time
Of the fire.
Farley acted like a stole when were cross
examining him last night Mr.. FreeI said,
until found in his pocket pass key to
room No. $40, on the top floor, where fire was
set on Wednesday night in a bureau drawer.
Later he confessed that he alone was RESPONSE
ble for the setting of all the fires in the Astor
House during his connection with it. They
were nine in number He has been there year.
! am positive IL my mind that he has been con-
nected with at least twenty fires and probably
a hundred. At certain periods he has over
wnelming desire 10 set fires"
TO HURRY PORT CHESTER ROAD.