Coeur d'Alene evening press. (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho) 1907-1929, 1908-04-10
NELSON BACKS UP
ON ARSON CHARGE
Asks Court to Withdraw Complaint
Against Miller

Nag aAtcAhO0h OA NphiPtAAhN hAS-
ferred against him by Oscar Nelson,
charging arson. He Immediately gave
bonds and his preliminary hearing
was set fer April IS.
The fire which Miller is accused in
the complaint Of starting occurred
last Monday evening at a little after
o'clock In the building known as
the Nelson Bros, grocery store. A
portion of this building Ia occupied
by Nelson Bros, and the rest by Ben
son 4 MIller's meat market, of which
firm Miller is a partner. The cause
of the fire seemed to be shroHded In
mystery, and 1t was thought that its
origin was due TO defective wiring.
A carpenter, however. who had come
to repair It found that board In the
back room OF the meat market In the
partition between the market and the
grocery store had been sawed out and
replaced.
Chief OF Police McGovern was no.
titled and asked to take hold OF the
case, The chief began his investlga-
tions yesterday afternoon. He found
that the board had been sawed out
close TO the floor, and he secured a
saw and sawed out the remaining
boards until the sill was reached. and
IL was then that he discovered evil
denee which would seem 20 indicate
beyond all doubt that the fire was OF
incendlaFy origin. The removal Of
the boards disclosed between the par
titions quantity OF paper. saturated
with kerosene. The odor of the oil
was still strong and a comparison Of
the paper with that contained on the
wrapping reel OF the firm OF Benson
& Miller showed II to be Of similar
kind
Insurance Adjuster Watson was
IN the city yesterday and the chief
laid his discoveries before him and
Oscar Nelson, and subsequently a
warrant was sworn to by the latter
charging Miller with arson.
Miller at the time Of his arrest
stated that he was innocent, and
strongly maintains his innocence and
all ignorance Of the crime today. He
and his wife are recently from the
east and he went into the meat mar
ket business with Benson about a
month ago. He has since his arrival
made many friends in the city, who
are confident that he Is innocent and
that he can successfully establish II
when the case comes up for a pre-
liminary hearing.
Nelson, who preferred the com.
) plant against him, today appeared
before Judge Chamberlin and stated
that he wanted to withdraw his com.
plant. The court. however. did not
permit him to do 50, and at a late
hour this afternoon the charge had
not bee withdrawn. When seen by d
representative OF the Press with re
lation to the matter Nelson stated
that he preferred the warrant under
: pressure OF excitement He stated
that after he had discussed the cas-
, aud was convinced that the fire wal
J of incendiary origin he became so ex
, cited that he did not know what b.
was doing. and that upon being askes
TO make a complaint against MilleI
he did So He states that he saw tbs
= name of Miller In the complaint, anS
that he knew that In signing it b.
, was accusing him OF a crime. but tina
he was so excited and agitated owe
the matter that he signed II and hai
no realization OF the consequence
? that would follow from his act. H.
D stated that he did not believe Mile
was the guilty party. and that he dil
: not have any suspicious against an
y one. Neither he nor any one else o
:. the firm, he said. had any enemies
] and the entire matter was wrappel
+ in mystery. save that he was satisfie
? the FIRE was Of ineendiary origin
a Miller also states that he has no en-
emies in the city and can not advane
any theory that would tend to soly
the problem.
Miller has secured the services 0
the law firm OF Sanders q Flynn &
: represent him at the hearing.