Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-08-03
hay ON FIRE; WATCHERS WET
MAN ARRESTED CHARGED WITH
STARTING BLAZE.
Sterams From Hose Thrown Over
Wagons Load Into Crowd
of Spectators.

The unusual sight of load of hay blaz-
ing on one of the public streets or this
city, about II As o'clock this morning, al
10th and E streets northwest, attracted
many observers.
An alarm was sounded from box at
10th and E streets. Soon the FIRE depart
ment was playing" several streams Oh
water on the blazing hay.
Policeman Jerry Sullivan of the tenth
precinct was informed that a man had
deliberately set fire to the hay. A citizen
pointed out James A. Kerr of ia 18th
street southeast as the man he saw start
the fire. Kerr was arrested and locked UP
at the first precinct station on charge
of arson.
The wagon was drawn by two horses
and driven by a colored man. VINO was
sitting on the front Passers-by told him
the hay was ablaZe. He jumped on the
wagon and unhitched the horses.
Spectators who gathered on 1Oth street.
to get better view of the spectacle, re-
cefved thorough drenching. as did sew
eral guests of the Central Hotel, at 10th
and E streets. when streams from the hre
hose went over the top of the hay.
Angry spectators went as far as the
first precinct police station to learn the
particulars of the affair
Kerr. Familiarity known as Jimmie
Kerr. is a base ball player and athlete.
No charge was preferred against him
until Deputy Fire Marshal L. " Seib
had made an investigation and questioned
witnesses. Kerr was then formally
charged with arson.
He stoutly denies the accusation. He
declares he did not see the person who
applied the match.
Policeman Sullivan. riding his bicycle
near the fire, was told by B. H. Perry, a
painter. that Kerr was the man who
should he arrested He had followed
Kerr as far as Pennsylvania avenue and
pointed him out to the policeman. After
ward he saw Kerr behind the. bars, and
said he was satisfied he was the man
who had applied the match.
Il saw him when he did it, was the
statement of a colored expressman named
Richard Manning. w. H. Gross. also a
painter. said he had seen Kerr come from
near the hay wagon.
John Akers. a resident of Laurel, Nd,
declared Kerr was not the one who had
caused the fire
Il saw the man who did it, Akers
declared, land know he is not the man.
The man who started the fire was smok-
ing cigarette. He lit the match on the
seat of his trousers
He is not the one,' declared boy
named Frank Kirby. living at 1888 Mary
land avenue northeast. "A colored man
on a bicycle set the hay on fire. He lad
on a dark hat
1oHCcIudu OuilIS dH anu Dcpuly FIRE NJ ar
shall Seib heard the conflicting state
ments and reached the conclusion that it
would be we'll to have the court pass upon
the affair.
1t was stated to Policeman Sullivan that
Kerr started to enter the paint store Of
Macnichol & Son, 42S 10th street after
ward hurrying in the direction of Penn
sylvania avenue, while most everybody
else on the street was going in the direc-
ton of the fire. He was just turning the
corner of Pennsylvania avenue to go in
the direction of the city post office. where
man overlook him.
In response to the statement that the
man who had caused the fire was smok-
cigars. He was smoking one when placed
under arrest
Several friends OF the accused followed
him to the police station and talked with
the witnesses who were summoned by the
police. declaring they knew Kerr was in
nocent.
Kerr sent for his attorney. The latter
made an effort ito procure his release on
bond.
Policeman Sullivan said that when the
painter called his attention to Kerr he
said:
Il am a countryman myself and don't
like to see a man lose his hay in that
manner
The hay weighed $50 pounds. and was
brought here this morning from the farm
of Charles Kirk, Olney, Md. 1t had been
sold to James Dean, a contractor, living
at Florida avenue and 9Th street north
east the price agreed upon being S31 so