The Birmingham age-herald., 1902-08-09
Startling Discovery Leads to New Theories as to
 Cause of Fire
FIRE MAY HAVE BEEN
 USED ID HIDE MURDER
Arm, Foot and Knee Joint Found On Third Floor of Building Occupied By City Paper co.-chlef
 Mullen to Investigate.

Portions of human skeleton to which the partially cooked flesh is still clinging. were found yesterday on the third floor of the building at 1905 Second avenue which was badly damaged by fire We'd nesday night. It is impossible to tell whether they belong to a mZn or. woman, white or negro. The discovery has arous- ed numerous suspicious about the origin of the fire, and whether there had been a crime committed which it was intended the flames should hide. The bones are supposed to be those of negro.
 The portions of bone consist of an arm, which had been burnt off just above the elbow, a foot and a joint which was evidently that of the knee. On all of these cling bits of flesh and when this flesh was raised by one of those investi- gating the mystery last night, it's appear ance was similar to that of barbecued meat. There is more flesh clinging to the knee joint than any of the other bones, but even from that it was im- possible to tell the color of the person.
 From the size of the fingers and of the foot is was thought probable the remains were those of a female but that is supposition and there is nothing to lend flavor to the theory other than the size of the limbs.
 Bones Found In Box.
 The remains were found in a box which was sitting about one-third of the length of the building from the front, and sev- eral feet to the right of the flight of steps which leads to the third floor. These steps are between the Clark and the Bllnn buildings and are just about the center of the third floor.
 In this box were found a number of other bones which from their appearance were a portion of the skeleton used in the initiation ceremonies by the colored secret societies, which occupied the third floor These bones were seen Thursday morning by the workmen who were re- pairing the building and by number of men who went up to that floor with the owners to make estimates on the loss and the cost of repairing the roof.
 The fresh bones with the flesh on them were not seen by any of the investlga- tors until yesterday and where they were originally found is a mystery. They were probably placed in this box by some of the workmen. This part of the investigation will be continued this morn- ing.
 Three Good Theories.
 Several theories have arisen as to the circumstances surrounding the death of the person whose remains were found. The most plausible Is that the person was some one who was sleeping in the build ing. This is, however, discounted by the statement of the night watchman, w. P. Patterson, a negro, that no one ex- cept himself ever slept In the building.
 In turn his statement is discounted by the statement of Alex Barclay, a young negro, who says he has been sleeping in the building for the past two months and that he was in the building the night of the fire. He states he was awakened by the firemen throwing a stream of water into the window of the third floor and that he ran to a side window and jumped to the roof of the adjoining build ing on the west side, and from there climbed down a telegraph pole. He states he left his coat and hat in the building and Chief Mullen of the fire department states he saw the hat and coat lying on the floor of the third floor on the night of the fire.
 It was known Thursday morning that this boy was sleeping in the building when 1t caught on fire. He was found in the rear of the Empire Laundry and tried to beg a pair of shoes and a coat. stating his had been lost in the fire.
 May Be Murder.
 Another theory is that some one was murdered in the building Wednesday night and that 1t was set on fire to hide the crime. Alex Barclay is again able to throw some light on the matter. He states he went to bed about midnight and that there was no smoke or fire at that time. He says a few minutes after he lay on his pallet he heard a noise as if some one was falling over chair Being frightened he hid his head under the cover and does not remember any thing more until a stream of water struck him. His story is very straight and is credited by Chief Mullen and George A. Blinn, Jr., who questioned him last night. The boys statem that he went to bed about midnight. or few