Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-07-02
MAN HUNT IN MARSH
Fugitive Is Suspected of Three
Attempts at Arson.
FLED AS POLICE ARRIVED
Believed to Be Within Narrowing
Circle of Searchers.
THREE FAMILIES IN PERIL.
Oil, Rags and Paper Used in At
tempt to Start Fires-smoke
Awoke Occupants.
FLED AS POLICE ARRIVED
THREE FAMILIES IN PERIL.

Police of the ninth precinct today are
engaged in an exciting man hunt. A
whole squad Of the bluecoats have sur
rounded the big swamp between Ben
ming race track and the bridge over the
Eastern branch. and they are beating
every possible covert. all the time draw
ing in a constantly narrowing circle
toward the center of the swamp where
they expect to capture an incendiary sus-
pect.
Charles Strube and John Furtney resi-
dents of Barnes lane, facing the en-
trance to the Benning race track. mar
Tewly escaped the loss of their homes
and all of their possessions by fire this
morning between and 3 o'clock. A
young man is suspected Of having
started the fires, and when last seen
he was in full flight toward the swamp
land near Benning.
Oil to Start Blaze.
At the house Of Mr.. Strube a whole
can of oil was poured on the rear end
of the house and a match applied, but
before much Roadway had been gained
Mrs. Strube was awakened. She aroused
her husband. and the latter soon man
aged to eXtinguish the blaze.
Beneath the houses of the Furtney and
Leonard families rags and paper were set
afire and the cracking of the timber and
odor of the smoke attracted the atten-
ton of Mrs. Leonard. Her husband
managed to extinguish the blaze in time
to prevent the destruction of the houses
and the possible loss of life.
Neighbors Under Suspicion.
The two fires created considerable ex-
element in the little settlement, and sus-
picion, the intended victims thought,
pointed to their neighbors. Policemen
were summoned from the ninth precinct
to make an investigation. 1t was stated
the young man under suspicion ran into
the marsh when the police approached.
Mrs. Strube said she and her husband
were asleep on the lower floor of their
home last night, having gone there from
the upper floor to get relief from the
heat.
Between and O'Clock, she said. the
smoke from the fire came through the
window screen into their sleeping room
and aroused her. and before she could
arouse her husband the blaze reached the
window.
Before / went to bed" she told Star
reporter, i put tne can Oh OIL on the
back step behind the vines, and it could
only have been found by a person trying
to get into the house,
Trouble With Young Man.
On the ground against the house the
police found scraps of burned paper and
several burned matches. indicating that
the incendiary had made several efforts
before the paper ignited. Mrs. Strube
said she had trouble with the young man
who is suspected and that he had threat
ened to get even with her.
Mr.. and Mrs. Furtney, an elderly couple.
occupy the house adjoining the home Of
the Leonards.
They were awakened by Mr.. Leonard as
soon as the fire was discovered. Neither
house was damaged to any considerable
extent.
Lieut.. Falvey OF the ninth precinct sent
several members of his command to the
scene to make an investigation. The
houses were examined and the police
were surprised that their occupants had
been able to make so good job Of their