The Newtown bee., 1908-04-10
TOWN T0PtCs.
THE BREW ARSON CASE.
HEARING BEGAN, SATURDAY
 BEFORE JUSTICE HULL.

The case OI DIdJe VS. Wllldlil q. DlCW, on charge of arson, was on trial. Saturday, before Justice A. J. Hull, of Bridgeport, at the Brick building. At torney Delaney prosecuted for the State and Attorney Walsh of Norwalk for the defense. Only two witnesses were examined. Deputy Sheriff Charles B. Johnson was the first to take the stand. He said in substance: Upon coming up the hill toward the Brew house from Berkshire, with Mrs Grant, on the morning of the fire l saw smoke coming out of the gables of the house, left Mrs Grant in the carriage and cut across the yard to the north door of the house which was locked. l then went around to the west door which was fastened. Entered the house by the south door and went up stairs and then to the garret. Went up the garret stairs, so my shoulders were even with the floor and saw the fire in the west end of the garret. It was composed of rubbish and rags and was burning briskly. The fire smelled strongly of kerosene oil. He then ran back down the stairs and went across to MT Greenbergh's to summon help, where l saw MT Brew and told him the house was on fire. There l met Edward and Will Hook and Barney Heating, who returned with me to the. Brew place. MT Grant and l then went up to the garret door. but were unable to pro ceed, because the flames and smoke drove us back. Went down stairs and out doors where I called MT Grants attention to tracks leading from the house in northeasterly direction and asked MT Grant to follow them while 1 took circuit around the buildings and come back into the door yard. MT Grant reported that he had followed the tracks about 200 feet to corner of the fence where the tracks returned.
 On being asked why they di Int at tempt to save the house. MT Johnson said it was beyond the power of man to save the building under the circum- stances. They then procured crow bar and pried off a few doors and ripped out few windows. MT Johnson testified that travelling peddler was about and MT Johnson asked him if he had been up stairs. "No" replied the peddler, "but Brew went up stairs and come down quick. About this time Mrs Grant appeared and looking at MT Brew said: "Mr Brew. is this some of your dirty work? If it isn't look me in the face." Sheriff Johnson tes- , tifed that he said to Mrs Grant Don't make any accusations. MT Johnson on being asked about MT Brew's condition, said he was not in- toxicated, but had evidently been drinking cider. Charles Grant testified that after he had bargained for the Brew place with the Savings bank he met Mir Brew who told him that he could get more money for the place than MT Grant had agreed to pay. He asked hlm how much he was in debt, and Mir Brew re- piled $1350. On inquiry found out that he lied to me; that he owed some six years taxes and interest and that he owed a man they called Bully Bradley, something over $500, footing up total of nearly $2000. told MT Brew he had better see Mrs Grant. Some time later on they showed MT Brew their deed from the Savings bank, which he looked over till he came to the name of Judge Beecher. Using strong epithet he said: "I am not dead yet, but I'll get even with him before 1 die." The question was asked MT Grant, Did MT Brew appear to have any animosity against you?' MT Grant said that he didn't appear to have; that he had always treated him l, we'll. Mir Grant referred to his at tempt to buy hay of MT Brew. which
 was in the barn. Mir Grant offered d him SIP ton for two tons. Mir Brew said he could get S14. then offered
 him s2S for two tons, but he would not let me have it. MT Brew asked me ii , I would have a glass of cider, but replied: If my money is not good
 enough for you, your cider IS not good
 enough for me-" Further testimony
 brought out the fact that there was
 dispute over manure, MT Brew's father
 and w. J. Brew claiming it. Mir Grant d claimed it went with the place, and ht I informed Mir Brew that if he put 2 - fork into it to take it away, he would lay him out so he would never get out of the dooryard. Mir IGrant testified
 practically the same as Mir Johnson II
 regard to examining the tracks in thu snow leading to the wall and to goinE q up stairs to the garret and scenting th' r odor of kerosene oil.