The Washington times., 1902-07-23
EOHMBR POLICEMAN
CHARGED With ARSON
Charles Posey Arrested at
Brightwood Home
Police Say He Set Fire to His Store
and Dwelling Early Yester-
day Morning.

AS sequel to the fire which occurred
early yesterday morning in grocery
store on Brightwood Avenue. opposite
the village hotel. Charles p. Posey, theI
proprietor, was locked up at the Tenth
precinct station yesterday afternoon ana
charge of arson was entered against
I him. Friends were notified OF his ar
rest. and last night he was released upon
$500 bonds.
Fire is said to have broken out in
the grocery store and in the residence
part of the house in about ten different
! places simultaneously When the fire
men broke open the front door. which
! was securely locked, they state that the
/ rooms were filed with the fumes OF
/ burning coal oil. When they went 10
the rear OF the store to fight the fierce
| tongues of fire which Were licking all
! four walls. they were told that the front
! of the building was also on FIRE. When
they turned their attention 10 the flames
/ in the trent part of the house they saw
! flames issuing from the side closet in
| the dining room. Flames were also com
ing from the top of the stairs. and the
/ ceiling. After fighting the fire for quite
while, the flames were gotten under
control and after an hours work they
were extinguished.
Saw Can of Oil.
The firemen say they noticed can OF
oil partly empty in one corner OF the
front room. and also stated that they
had found large bundles of rags thor
oughly saturated with kerosene oil in
several closets. In the basement. 1t is
said, there were found large bundle
of rags and a bundle of paper beside
them. Finding the oil. and the saturat
ed rags. aroused the firemen's sus-
picions, and they reported the matter
TO Lieutenant Kenney, of the Tenth pre-
cinct
Lieutenant Kenney, accompanied by
Detectives Muller and Baur. went at
once to the burned house. and after
making an examination. and verifying
what the firemen had said about finding
the rags and oil, placed Posey under ar
rest.
When seen at the police station last
night. Posey stated that he was awak-
ened about l o'clock by fumes of sn oke
in his room. He stated that he got out
of bed and put on his shoes and trous-
ers and went out of back door into
, the yard There he found his horse,
which was kept in the yard. He led the
horse to a post some distance from his
yard. and then came around to the front
CT the house and informed Sergeant
, Murphy that the house was on fire. He
stated that he did not know the origin
OF the fire.
Lieutenant Kenney's Statement.
Lieutenant Kenney stated last night
f that he believed the fire was of incen-
} diary origin. and made the arrest after a
careful investigation.
, Sergeant Murphy stated that he was in
/ the vicinity of the store about l o'clock
3 and saw a man skulking in the rear of
the building. He watched him for some
time, and after a while saw him come TO
the front of the store. The man proved
: to be Posey, whom Murphy says was
fully dressed, and looked as though he
had been up for some time, and not like
a man who bad just jumped out of bed
| Posey appeared excited, and informed tht
sergeant that the house was on fire
e Murphy said this could not be seen from
/ the outside. as all of the shutters wer'
!, fastened and the curtains were drawn
Sergeant Murphy went to the hcadquar
ters of the chemical company and th'
d firemen were upon the scene in a few mo
= ments.
. Damage to Property.
r The damage to the property and tn
goods in the store Will amount to abou
+ $500. Posey's household effects and tn
) stock in the store were insured for $500
t. The police state that they have know
nj Posey for some time, and his record ha
'r been good. He was at one time po
liceman. attached to the Third pTecinc
= station. but was relieved from activ
~ duty. and was pensioned, after he had h
. collarbone broken during fight with
"a negro whom he attempted to arrest
Posey will be taken TO police cour
this morning to answer a charge of arson
- AnngU nDnEDC