The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1911-09-01
BUSY COiRI DAY
WITH MONTGOMERY,
important Arsoa Case Is Heard b
Judge Montgomery tuesday.

Every since the fire that occurred
eli til 18th of August in the build
ing kIlAci.y occupied by A. s.
B ,rah, Deputy Insurance Commis-
sloner, with the aid of County At
torney Prosecuting Attorney has
b en- working up evidence to sup
port the affidavit made against A. S.
Borah aud E. A. Lilies for arson.
From the evidence submitted
when the cause was called for hear
ing Tuesday morning at eleven
o'cl1ck, Richard Saffold and Frank
Rlas were unhltchlng their rigs near
the barn that was lew yards south
of where the fire originated. Just
at the time the flames were detected
by these negroes, Mr.. Lilies, the
clerk, was seen walking from the
barn and when first his attention
was called to same he showed no
disposition to notice, but upon Rias'
svcond call Lilies walked around,
leisurely, to the front of the store
and returned saying that the smoke
and flames were too bad for him to
enter.
About two months ago Borah con-
Quoted removal sale at Silver City,
lazoo City, Immediately after which
lie came to Greenwood and opened
store in the building erected by
Simon Hyman on McLaurin street
in the McShane Addition. On the
Sth Of August he made application
to the Delta Insurance Co., and
policy was issued on his represonta-
tton of stock on hand to the extent
of $25OOO. 1t was shown that at
tempts were made to see Borah
thereafter to "all in the policy which
was frustrated by the latter's ab-
sence from the city. On the follow
ing day Borah made APPLICATION of
the Greenwood Insurance Agency,
and after this company's represent
alive had made inspection of stock
policy was issued t. extent Of
$500 but was not delivered on &C
count of Borahs failure to receive
additional shipments of stock az
made in his representation. This
procurement of over insurance was
admissible to prove the motive ind
was strongly stressed by the state.
When Fire Chief johnson c carried
the department to the scene Of tae
conhagration on the afternoon OF
the 18th, the odor of oil was inst ant
ly detected, and the flames were
soon stopped. Upon search of own
or of house or stock of goods, the
chief found Lilies, the clerk, with
whom he went into the shell of the
building to inspect damage and file
report of stock on hand and amount
d .mage incurred by FIRE. Mr.. john
sons testimony was to the effect
that the shelves as q whole were
filed with empty paste bo,rd boxas,
some containing brick bats, aud that
q conservative estimate of the
amount of stock of goods on hand
would not exceed 5000.
It was clearly shown that Borah
had disposed of practically all his
stock before coming to Greenwood, !,
and there was do doubt as to the
procurement of insurance. Deputy
Commissioner Miller gave q clear
statement of explanations made 10
him by the defendants, and after
summing up the evidence introduc-
cd by the state, after which the de-
Tense rested, Judge Montgomery
ably rendered his decision binding
them over to await the actioa oi
the grand jury, Borah under !
5000. and Lilies under $50
bond.
The case occupied the middle oi
t,e day beginning at eleven o'clock
and lasting until after four O'Clock
il tho Afternoon. About twelve
witnesses were introduced By III
State, while tho defense rested upou
motion 70 dismiss case. Defendant,
uore represented by Messrs. kim
broukh. Hill 4 Kimbrough. Hon
HDed Hill eluquently pleading 4 /
Csc County Attorney Gillespil
ftpFesented Tho Sta1r. So
The case wae q serious import
xllco and IN tho event that ) convic
- = Rod is Circuit Court if III
i on1andi6 0DGQefnn5fy q -