The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1904-09-10
.LEATHERWOOD FIRE
STILL A MYSTERY
Two theories Advanced as TO
Incendiary's Motive
ROBBER THEORY PLAUSIBLE
Question Of Whether the Homo Was
Fired by Burglars or Personal
Enemies of Mr.. Leather
wood.

There are now two distinct theories as
to the cause of the fire which totally de-
stroyed the residence of Attorney R. L.
Ieatherwood early yesterday morning.
There seems to be no doubt, however.
that the fire was incendary but 1t is
a mystery as to whether it was done by
enemies Of Mr.. Leatherwood, or done by
cover a robbery. Both theories are re-
lated to facts tending to prove and dis
prove.
The main fact which leads to the belief
that the house was robbed and then
burned by the robbers to cover the deed.
is that the electric light in front room
was seen burning at different intervals
of the night up to ~ oelock by neigh
bors
The Light.
About II O'clock Miss Emma DonelsoE
and a friend were sitting ON the porch
OF Mrs. Donelson's residence next dor
to the Leatherwood house. They say that
at IL O'clock. some one turned on the
light in the front room of the house but
quickly turned it out. Five minutes later
it was again seen burning and this time
was not turned out for a minute or more.
Miss Dohelson remarked that she sup
posed Mrs. Leatherwood was at home,
not thinking that it was possibly a
burglar Mrs. Donelson again noticed a
light there at IL o'clock burning stead
lily. She stated that she did not know
how long it burned this time for she re-
tired before it was extinguished
1t Is stated that some valuable silver
was in the dining room at the Leather
wood house but no trace of 1t could
be found yesterday morning. Mrs
jewelry which could not be found yester
day morning by the searching party.
In disproving this theory, it has been
said that If persons other than burglars
are guilty. they could easily have re-
moved the silver to make 1t appear a
burglary.
The Other. Theory.
The other theory is that the house was
set on fire by personal enemies of Mr.
Leatherwood, who for some time past
have been making threats to kill him.
Several nights ago some one inquired
over the phone IL Mr.. and Mrs. Leather
wood intended leaving the city. Mrs.
Leatherwood told them that she did not;
that she did not think any one would
harm her, as she had done nothing to
provoke trouble. 1--WE just wanted to
warn YOU" replied the unknown voice.
I'VE did not finish with your husband the
last time, but we win IL 1t takes us
two years. And as for you, you will be
shot If you are not careful"
Mrs. Leatherwood informed Mrs John
b. Bonelson of the strange messages as
soon as she received them, severl days
before the fire.
1t has been suggested that probably the
robbers did the telephoning to give color
to the theory that VI was done by Mr..
Leatherwood's enemies, but this is not
accepted by the police, as burglars would
not have taken the trouble to pre-arrange
plans.
The house was evidently fired from the
interior as neighbors say when they first
saw the blaze the flames were coming up
from the inside and that the walls had
not caught
Everything in the house was COM
plete loss, and while IL is impossible to
tell the amount in dollars 1t is supposed
that it will be In the neighborhood OF
$4,000 or $1,000.