The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1915-05-05
Garvey. Jordan and Reyes
Charged with Having Caused
Fire of April 4
Arrests Made Sunday at Grace
vile and Benson; Prelimina- :.
ries at LambertOn
Fire Marshal Hargardine and
Deputy Martin on Trail For
Four Weeks
Suspicious of Seaforth Citizens
Reused at Time of Fire; keyes
Actions not Natural

Actions not Natural
M. Garvey of Graceville and P.
H. Jordan of Benson, were taken
to Lamberton at noon today, for
a preliminary hearing before
County Attorney Albert Ener-
sen. The two, in conjunction with
A. w. Keyes of Seaforth, are ar
raigned on a charge of arson in
the first degree, the charge hay
ing grown out of the suspicious
nature of the burning of the
Seaforth hotel Sunday, April 4.
State Fire Marshal R. w. Har-
gadine has had nearly his entire
force at work investigating the
fire since it's occurrence and has
unearthed carefully laid plot.
Laid Plans Well
Il Garvey and Jordan purchased
the hotel in February, making
arrangements with the former
owner, Alvin Longbottom, to
conduct the house as he had done
formerly until they could dis
pose of the property or find a
manager. March 20, J. w. Reyes,
ostensibly bought the property,
taking possession March p.
Keves ran the hotel until April
a. when it was totally destroyed
by fire.
Soon after the purchase of the
building by Garvey and Jordan
and before it's purchase by
Keyes, the insurance was in
creased $4,000, making a total
of $1,000 on the building and
$500 on the contents.
Suspicious Aroused
The suspicious of Seaforth
business men were aroused at
the time of the fire by the fact
that Keyes was fully dressed
when the alarm was given in at
three o'clock in the morning
while other inmates of the build
ing had barely time to escape
after being reused, and by his
calmness during the fire. One
of the village officers told the
state fire marshal of these sus-
picions and about the same time
the insurance companies began
an investigation. Keyes was un-
known in the town and had been
in charge of the hotel less than
two weeks when it was burned.
The building with its furnish
ings was valued at about $780,
900 and was the only hotel in the
village that was equipped to
care for travelling trade. The
business men were incensed that
the building should be destroyed
because they think there is lit
tie chance that it will be re-
placed with another hotel.
When the fremen reached the
place after the alarm was sent
out by Keyes, the entire first
floor of the building was ablaze
and there was no opportunity tc
tell in what part of the building
the fire started.
Hunt Was Strenuous
The story of the investiga'
lions and events subsequent tx
the arrests which we're made
Sunday, is an interesting one ane
the results are proof of the ex
cellent work of Mr.. Hargadine
and his deputy, Robert j. Mar
tin, who were aided in the siren
uous labors of Sunday by Sher
iff Frank Hassenstab and hi
deputy, Harry Beatty, of Lam
berton.
Immediately after the fir
Garvey and Jordan, who hat
posed as a real estate firm, dis
solved partnership, Garvey go
ing to Graceville, Mimi, wher'
he engaged in business as tn
Garvey Land Co. and Jordan go
ing to Benson where, in COIN
pany with his brother, he ais
engaged in the real estate bust
ness. Keyes, who left Seafortl
almost Immediately after tn
fire, has been under the con