The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1904-09-24
Experimental for Several DAYS
With Kerosene as
Kinder.
REMOVE VALUABLE GOODS.
Firem"n,s Prompt Arrival Foils
Incendiarism - Mrs. X. C..
Chase and Mrs. Nora Nc
1nturff Locked Up.

Mrs. r Q Chase and Mrs y IsIn-
turf of No. 27os LAYTON avenu.. ..-klvwl-
edged to the police last night the police
say. that they had set fire to the house
at that number. They further confessed
that they had been experimenting fo- sev-
eral da-s in the use OF coal oil as a
kinder. and that they had decided thai
they could set the house afire so that the
flames would I'LL the entire structure be
fore tn. Fire Department could arrive.
Mrs. Chas. owned the roorninz- house At
No. 2.0S Lawton avnue. and she took Mr.
McInturr into her confidence because she
was the only roomer left According 70
the story learned BY the police they per-
fectsd their plans. stripped the house Of
all furniture O: valge. although an insur-
ance policy for 500 was carried On the
contents Of the house. Every CARPET was
removed. The women hacked their be
longinSs. which they desired to save. into
trunks and sent them 10 Union station.
So confident were they Of the destruc-
ton of the house that they left everything
in the rankest confusion. dresser draw
ers open. old trunks with their lids thrown
hack. pictures. letters and papers strewn
over the floor and discarded clothing ly-
ing verywhsre.
To facilitate the flames in their work
sheets and quilts soaked in coal oil were
wrapped about the furniture. the carpet
less floors were soaked in coal oil and the
mattresses were placed where they could
catch fire readily.
When everything was prepared early
yesterday morning. the women started TO
the Worlds Fair Mrs. McInturf con-
Quoted booth for the sale of souvenirs
in the Liberal Arts building. As they left
they called to a neighbor that they were
going 10 the Fair and would not return
until late
START SLOW FIRES.
Before going they started slow fires in
five rooms They were well on their way
to the Fair before the blaze could be seen
from the street.
The house sets well back from the street.
Israel Conlore. a negro houseman en-
ployed at No. g70s Lawton avenue. discov-
Ell ed the fire at $40 a. m The prompt ap-
pearance Of the Fire Department, saved
the house and caused the discovery of the
incendiarism.
When Mrs Chase and Mrs. McInturH
returned from the Fair yesterday even
Ing both were arrested and sent to the
Eighth District Station. Mrs. Chas. soon
acknowledged her share and. when CON-
fronted with Mrs. Chase. Mrs. McInturi
acknowledge hers.
Mrs. Chase has Iivai IN st. Louis for thir-
teen years. She came from France. and
still speaks with a French accent. Mrs.
McInturn came to St Louis from Pitts
burg three years ago. Her husband Il
dead. and she has supported herself b.
working in booth in the Liberal Ats
building. she says. She is 81 years cid
and progressing.
Many letters addressed to Mrs McInturff
were found In the building. strewn stout
with the apparent expectation that t.,cy
would be burned. Nary were from II. NJ
Thompson. Allegheny. Pa. who address ID
her as Dear cousin"
Both women slept in the Eighth Dis
trict Station last night. and a warrant
probably will be applied for against them
to-day.