Los Angeles herald., 1906-04-07
HAD STRENUOUS LOCAL CAREER
Man in Jail Here Must Explain Fire
in Fuel Yard

J. w. Steeles history in Los An
geles has been fraught with sensations
beginning with the action of his al
legged bride here in reporting him miss
ing and ending with his arrest after
a mysterious fire in his fuel and feed
yard.
Steele was arrested in Los An
geles late in March by Detective Zeig-
Ter in order to aid in clearing a fire in
his hay barn at Adams and Main
streets three months ago. Through
chance the officers recognized Steele
when passing from one train to another
at the Arcade depot and held him.
The officers alleged that Steele was
in debt to Spreckels Bros, L. Bickford
Central Feed and Fuel company and
Nicholas Hammel company.
They attempted to secure a complaint
against Steele for passing a check, but
Prosecuting Attorney Keyes refused to
issue the warrant.
Steele had been living at Ell Paso and
was on his way to San Francisco when
apprehended. His absence was report
ed to the police by a woman who said
he had married her last August.
Caught at Depot
Zeigler was at the Arcade depot on
another matter. when his attention was
called to Steele. He watched the man
but could not remember what he was
wanted for. Steele walked slowly into
the barber shop, purchased a "shine"
and started for the San Francisco
train.
Good day, Steele said the officer.
Steele replied pleasantly Then Zeigler
told him that he wanted him. BY
communicating with parties who knew
of the affair he learned that Steele had
left town shortly after the fire in his
feed barn.
Before taking his man to the station
the officer telephoned to j. j. O'Neil,
in charge of the feed yard. O'Neil
told the officer certain things and inn
mediately the detective and his prison.
er went to the station.
According to the police, Steele gave
creditor check for a small sum
that was worthless. This check was
never honored. Prosecuting Attorney
Keyes pointed out that the check was
made payable on account and there
fore no warrant could be issued.
SteeIe's Movements
"On the night of the fire." said Zeig
Ter, "Steele and a man whom we will
call Johnson were in the office of the
feed barn. About 1880 o'clock a pa
trolman, supposed to be Harris,
stopped there and ate his lunch.
After the officer left Johnson said
that he would like to go home. Steele
told him to go but that he had some
other work to do. Johnson lived at
Twenty seventh street and Grand ave-
nue. with Steele. Steele came home
short time later.
"Soon a citizen called at Steele's
home and told him that the hay barn
was on fire. Later an officer called
with the same information and Steele
and johnson dressed and went to the
scene of the fire.
1--WE have learned that Steele 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.
After the fire we have learned
Steele settled for a big reduction on
the amount due on the insurance pol
icy.
positive information has been re-
ceived by us to the effect that a GER
tain man has made the statement to
four different people that he knew
someone fired his barn.
I'VE have been informed that
an introduction of a friend a
certain man purchased several val
liable diamonds. These, we are in
formed, have never been paid for"