The San Francisco call., 1903-01-05
YOUTH DIES
THE VICTIM
OF F|REBUGS
Marin IncendiarieS
Add Murder to
Arson.
Ross Valley Suffers
From Torch Of
MiScreantS.
Horses Perish in Stalls and
a Dog Loses Life With
T%c Moc+on
Special Dispatch to The Call

SAN RAFAEL. Jan. 4.-The hrebugs who
have so terrorized the citizens OF San
Rafael by committing arson thirty times
within one year and batting the detec-
tives who sought 10 locate them now
seem 10 have shifted their seat Of nefari-
Gus operations to Ross Valley The many
wealthy residents Of that section fear
treir property is the object Of destrUc-
ti0n
Last night the livery stable OF Charles
jones in Ross Valley and the residence
~ II. B. Field. next door. were destroy
ed by the incendiaries. The furniture OF
The latter was saved, but in the stable
al rigs. horses and fun stock Of hay
and feed were consumed. One boy lost
his life By being burned IN his bed while
asleen, and the proprfet0r's wife narrow
ls escaped death from flames TO be severe
d, in5ured by dropping from a second
Story window in her night dress.
The fire started. as nearly as can be
ascertained. about O'Clock this morning
in the hayroom Of the livery stable.
Jones. who with his family and employees,
resides on the second floor OF the build
ing was awakened by the neighing OF
horses and stamping Of the animals feet
He quickly rose. saw the place was in
flames and awakened his wife Then he
went 10 the front part Of the building
90 arouse his nephew. Robert Bowman,
who occupied apartments there. He open
ed his relatives door. awoke him and told
lin Of the FIRE. Then he returned 10 an
employees room 10 also rouse him out Of
bed.
LEAP FROM A WINDOW.
BY this tine the entire building was in
flames, and Jones speedily endeavored to
save himself and wife. The avenue Of
escape down the stairs was cut of by fire
and smoke. He and his wife therefore
sought an upstairs window. The drop
was fully twenty feet Mrs. Jones was
l.fted out Of the window by her husband,
let down rs far as his arms would per
init and then dropped to the ground be-
low She was injured about the back and
limbs. Jones jumped 10 the ground and
escaped injury.
here were FIVE horses in the front Of
tbs stable and a thoroughbred colt in the
rear These animals we're burned alive in
tneir stalls. Five were found at daylight
side by side roasted TO a crisp
Up 10 daylight IL was presumed that
young Bowman after being aroused hal
escaped from the burning building. but
a. o clock his charred body was found
in the ashes and debris. His little pet
dog was found by his side also dead. The
lad. X is presumed. was not full. awake
and did not attempt 10 leave. and that
his faithful pup remained to meet death
bs- his masters side.
soon after the stable took fire the one
story residence OF II. b. Field. adjoining
was icnited. The occupants were reused
by neighbors, and Mr.. and Mrs Field
and the baby fed from their burning
home in their night clothes. while willing
ueighbors succeeded in saving most Of the
furniture and other effects. The srrtjc-
ture was rapidly destroyed.
LOSS TO CITY FOLK.
There is no FIRE department in Ross Val
ley. and the water supply, even though
adequate. was Of no use at the time the
FIRE was discovered. Jones has conducted
livery and boarding stable near Ross
station. During the summer mont "
of the valley residents. San Francisco cit
lzens. have their p--vate equIpages in his
harm. At the time OF the fire there were
several traps and other vehicles and har-
ness stored there. They were all de-
stroyed-
r. 3. Field is station agent for the
North Shore Railroad ar Ross Valley and
had just short time ago moved into his
new house here His loss is s1lO0 with
about $50 insurance. The loss TO the sta
bic and contents will reach fully 5000.
covered by $3.50 insurance That the fire
IS Of incendisry origin is conceded
Robert Bowman the little boy burned to
death was a nephew Of Jones and was II
years ole. He lived in Petaluma and came
10 visit his relatives last week The in
quest over his remains viii be held in this
city tomorrow morning at o'clock by
Coroner Eden.