Los Angeles herald., 1906-03-21
POLICE CATCH
MISSING STEEL
WANT TO KNOW ABOUT FIRE
IN HAY BARN
Prisoner, Whose Young Wife Reported
His Disappearance, Pleads lnno-
cenee-Seen Acting Strangely
Near the Depot

]. W. Steel was arrested yesterday
afternoon by Detective Zeigler in order
to aid in clearing a fire in his hay
barn at Adams and Main streets two
months ago. Through chance the Off
Ger recognized Steel when passing from
one train to another at the Arcade
depot and held him for investigation.
The officers allege that Steel is in
debt to Spreckels Bros, L. Bickford
Wholesale Feed and Fuel company,
Central Feed and Fuel company and
Nicholas Hammel company.
What evidence the officers have that
will connect Steel with the charge
could not be learned. 1t is understood
that they attempted to secure a COM
plant against Steel for passing check,
but Prosecuting Attorney Keyes re-
fused to issue the warrant.
Steel had been living in FL Paso and
was on his way to San Francisco when
apprehended. He is the man whose
absence was reported to the police by
his wife, whom he married last August.
Caught at Depot
Zeigler was at the Arcade depot on
another matter, when his attention was
called to Steel. He watched the man
wanted for. Steel walked slowly into
the barbershop, purchased Shine"
and started for the San Francisco
train.
Good day, Steel" said the officer.
Steel replied pleasantly. Then zeigler
told him that he wanted him. By
communicating with parties who knew
of the affair he learned that Steel had
left town shortly after the fire in his
feed barn at Main and Adams streets.
Before taking his man to the station
the officer telephoned to j. J. O'Neil,
who is in charge of the feed yard.
O'Neil told the officer certain things
and Immediately the detective and his
prisoner went to the station.
According to the police, Steel gave a
creditor a check for a small sum that
was worthless. This check was never
honored. Prosecuting Attorney Reyes
pointed out that the check was made
payable on account and therefore no
warrant could be issued.
"On the night of the fire." said Zeig-
Ter, in discussing the affair, "Steel and
a man who we will call Johnson were
in the office of the feed barn. About
1890 o'clock a patrolman, supposed to
be Harris, stopped there and ate his
lunch.
After the officer left Johnson said
that he would like to go home. Steel
told him to go but that he had some
other work to do. Johnson lived at
TWenty-seventh street and Grand ave-
nue. with Steel Steel came home a
short time later.
"Soon a citizen called at Steel's
home and told him that the hay barn
was on fire. Later an officer called
with the same information and Steel
and Johnson dressed and went to the
scene of the fire.
1--WE have learned that Steel gave
two mortgages on his feed barn. pre-
vious to the fire. Next he insured it
for 5000 in favor of one of the mort
gagees and $1,000 in favor of himself.
AS to Insurance
after the fire we have learned
Steel settled for a big reduction oil
the amount due on the insurance pol
| ICY
positive information has been re-
| ceived by us to the effect that GER
tain man has made the statement to
| four different people that he knew some
one fired his barn.
I'VE have been informed that
| through an introduction of a friend a
certain man purchased several val
liable diamonds These, we are in
formed, have never been paid for
Developments are expected in the
! case of a sensational nature today.
| What Steel has to say about the af-
fair could not be learned. His state
ment, it is believed, will be made pub
lie soon. His friends still stand by
him and say he will clear himself
ONeil is now in possession of the
properties formerly owned by Steel.
| O'Niel held a mortgage for a large
sum against Steel.
|