The Savannah morning news., 1902-04-07
CAUGHT JUST IN TIME.
JOHN WEAVER SAYS MRS. BEvILLE
HIRED HIM To BURN HER HOUSE.
POLICE PREVENTED THE FIRE.
WEAVER HAD POURED OIL ON THE
HOUSE WHEN ARRESTED.

a Gallon of Kerosene Thrown on u
window Near Which Several Ne
grOes Were Asleep-Ohicers stark,
GOdbOId and Christie Were Hiding
and Arrested Weaver Before Match
Was Struck-The Prisoner SaiG
Mrs. BeviIIe Had Promised Him So:
for Doing the Work and That She
Would Have Gotten 5000 Insur-
ance-The Woman Arrested-Shc
Denies the Charge and Attributes
1t to Spite.
For attempting to burn house near
the water works John ]. Weaver, a
shoemaker, 50 years of age, living at
No. 6S1 Sims street, was arrested early
yesterday morning by Detective Stark,
Patrolman Godbold and Bicycle officer
Christie Weaver stated that he was
employed to burn the house by the
owner, Mrs. r. s. Beville, and later she
was arrested.
Mrs. Beville was arrested at her
home, No. Bis Gwinnett street, west,
and was taken to the police station
by Detective Stark and officer God
bold. She protested her innocence and
furnished BAH for her appearance in
court to answer a charge of being an
accessory. She attributes Weaver's
charge to spite, which, she says, must
have prompted him in wishing to de-
stroy her property
In some manner the officers became
aware that the house was to be burned
and were in waiting when Weaver put
in an appearance. They had inspected
the premises before his arrival and
were under cover when he showed up.
He was armed with a COLON of kero-
sene oil which he dashed against a
window. The officers had ascertained
that several negroes occupied the room,
and that their bed was at the window.
They were afraid, they said, that if
Weaver had applied the match the ne
groes would have been burned up BY
making their presence known they pre-
vented the entire programme being
carried out and placed the man under
arrest.
Weaver denies that the officers pre-
vented his touching the match to the
oil, but admits everything else. He
says that Mrs. BeN1lle, whose husband
is his wifes nephew. promised him $25
II he would burn the house SO that she
could collect 5000 Insurance. He says
that he has nothing against Mrs. Be-
Vile, and that certainly If he had been
seeking revenge he would not have
gene about it in the manner described.
He says that he would hardly have de-
sired to burn an insured dwelling not
occupied by Mrs. Bevile and placed
$500 in her hands for the purpose II
getting even. The prisoner says that
he has been in bad health, had gotten
in debt and with a wife to support
agreed to commit the arson for the
small consideration of $40.
Mrs. Beville stated TO the officers who
arrested her that she had been feeding
Weaver, and that some time ago her
husband ran him from their home She
presumed that this prompted him in
attempting % commit an act that
would probably have meant the Gre
mating Of several negroes.
But for the fact that the officers were
aware OF what was going to happen
the house and its occupants would
probably have been burned without the
origin of the fire ever being suspected.
Weaver and Mrs Bevllle will be given
a preliminary examination by Recorder
Myrick in Police Court this morning.
Mrs. Beville has secured Judge Twiggs
as her counsel Her bond was signed
by her husband.