Waterbury Democrat., 1902-08-07
STATE FIRE MARSHAL HERE.
Investigating the Cause of the
 Fire on Lafay Street

Several Witnesses Were Called Before MT Rusling at City Hall This Af-
 ternoon Hearing Brought Out the
 Fact That There Was Jealousy Be-
 tween Two of the Women in the
 Block--Ths Hearing Was On at
 Hour.
 An investigation into the causes of tne mysterious fire which took place in the tenement building, 16 Lafayette street. last week, was held in the City nall this afternoon by State Fire Mar shaI Rusl1ng, assisted by Detective Dodds. Quite number of witnesses were examined, among them William Walsh, Mrs John Bagey, D. Car rol Sarah Pulley, Mrs John Meehan, Mrs Hayes, Philip D. Carroll and Mi chael q. McDonough, whom 1t is said the alleged incendiary fire was directed against.
 The examination consisted merely or assumptions, guesses and beliefs. The women witnesses were more yer bose than authentic and dweIt largely i'll assumption. William F. Walsh was one of the more specific witness es. He said that he was awakened by his wife when the. fire was dis covered and he heard the customary exclamations and noise excitement He produced a small paper bag which he said he picked up in tho immediate vicinity of the fire the night or morning it happened 1t did not strike him that ths bag was or any uusual consequence in relation to the fire until after he lad heard that the fire was incendiary. Then he saw the bag contained a small quantity of powder He saw James Brazel about s o'clock the night of the fire and he saw him again next morning. He was aware that there was bad feeling between some residents of the build ing, particularly between Mrs Brazel and Mrs McDonough. On one occa- sion he overheard one of the above named women say to the other, s.I'll make you prove it.n
 The next witness was McDonou3h. He said he has been living at his pres ent address, 16 Lafavette street, for some time. The day before the fire he left home about 4 o'clock and re- turned about the next morning. One of the Bagley boys told him the house had been set fire to di1ring the night. In response to questions from Marshal Rusling McDonough said that he had no theory as to the cause of the fire. \ He had no trouble with anyone that would cause them to do such an act. He was aware that there was trouble between the women folks. He did not say which women, put the infer ence all through his story was that he meant his wife and Mrs Brazel He himself had trouble with Brazel about a month ago in Ansonia. At that time Brazel said he would report him. The trouble was about their trains.
 'sSo far as I know there is Jealousy between the women over my position said McDonough. Since the difficulty between him and Brazel in Ansonia they havesno spoken to each other
 If the house was set afire to hurt me-" said he, T know of no one that would do 1t but that one party. The trouble was between the women main ly. think the enmity was severe be- cause my wife wanted me to move" On second thought, however. .McDon- Dugh said that he often had trouble l with persons whom he had to put off | his train, but these persons did not | know him and they knew that he had | to do his work. He did not think any, one of those would feel so bitterly against him as to attempt to set fire to the house he was living in.
 Philip F. Carroll was on the stand at press hour.
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