Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1915-08-21
8. ], sMALLEY FOUND DEAD IN
HOME FOLLOWING iNcENpl.
AIRY FIRE.
ARTHUR LUMLEY, EMPLoYE,
PLACED UNDER ARREST
Youno Man Accused Of Assuming and
Robhino smalIsy and Starting Fire
Which suffecated Unconscious Vic.
tim-Aetions Arouse suspicion-Evi.
denes Of Robbery Found.

Boone, Aug. I1.-FTlQdy uoEIlHS
about 2 o'clock small but tragic fire
took place at the home of Thomas ].
Smalley, just north Of the Boone driv-
ing park. There was no telephone in
the house and before the fire depart
ment could be called Mr.. Smalley. a
man about rs years old. was found
dead, apparently suffocated.
Shortly after o'clock in the after
noon County Attorney F. w. Canoe
caused warrant to be issued for the
arrest OF Arthur Lumley, Of Des
Moines on charge Of murder in the
first degree, he being charged with
killing T. j. Smalley at the latter's
home. Lumley was placed in GUS
tody at once as the officers had been
shadowing him since he was called
before the coroner:s jury.
House Slightly Damaged.
The only other occupant of the house
at the time Of the fire was Lumley,
who had gone to call the fire depart
ment.
The house itself was little damaged.
A few articles OF clothing in small
closet off Mr.. Smalley's room and the
bed clotehs were all that were burned.
Lumley's story was to the effect
that he was the first to notice the
fire. His room was just across the
hall from Mr.. Smalley's and he saw
the blaze thru the open transom OF
the other room. He ran across the
hall and called to Mr.. Smalley to get
up. that the house was on fire. He
says he opened the door but was so
excited he forgot whether he closed
it or not.
Mr.. Smalley, he said, told him to go
for Will Smalley and also call the
fire company. Lumley ran to the gar
age and took the car. a big Mitchell
Six, and rushed to the home OF win
Smalley, where he could telephone for
help. It was but the work Of min
ute to put out the fire.
Mr.. Smalley was found on the floor
Of his room. His whole body was
badly burned and there were several
cuts on his head. One of these was
quite deep.
Mr.. Smalley was very active for so
old a man and was planning on start
ing to California to the exposition in
the near future.
Suspicion Aroused.
County Attorney Canoe was not sat
isfied with the action of the young
man on the witness stand at the in
quest and determined to make a per-
sonal examination OF the Smalley
7 premises. He found pocketbook hid
den in ten-inch drain tile near the
house. In this pocketbook was a guam
tity OF money. Near by in a field was
! found rock about the size Of a mans
ha p
Mr.. Canoe has the pocketbook and
rock in his possession.
Lumiey q Stranger.
The young man who noticed the fire
first was a stranger. He came from
Des Moines about five weeks ago and
did odd jobs among the farmers I'M
til two and half weeks ago, when
Mr.. Smalley gave him work, Lumley
to. take care of; the house and assist
about the place. He was on the wit
ness stand for some time and during
q portion Of the noon hour. Coroner
Whitehill and County Attorney Canoe
questioned him at length. The other
witnesses at the inquest were Will
lam Matt, J. ]. Gerton and William
Smalley. Lumley testified that he
discovered the fire between and 2:30
o'clock. he being awakened by the re-
Election Of the flames thru the tram
som Of his room.
Well Known Resident.
Mr.. Smalley was one Of the best
known farmers Of the county and his
place north Of the Boone driving park
showed his thrift and prosperity. He
was in town late in the afternoon
Thursday. and seemed in his usual
good health and spirits.
The coroner's Jury returned its YER
dict at 2:30 o'clock, simply finding
that Mr.. Smalley came to his death by
smoke and fire suffocation. The YER
dict leaves way open to the authori-
ties, should evidence be sufficient to
arrest any one charged with murder
Ing Mr. Smalley.