Valdez daily prospector., 1917-01-15
HEARING BEFORE COMMISSIONER
(Continued from Page One)

joining Arcade Cafe. Lett ms house on morning of fire at 3:45. Saw fire as he came out of house. Went to fire hall helped to get out hose. Saw fire as he came out of house. Went to fire hall. Helped get out hose Went to alley back of Golden North and Arcade. Water not turned on, went up in between buildings. Flames burning up side Golden North. A strong odor of kerosene and fire spread rapidly. Apparently started in small shed back of restaurant. After water turned on remained for time and then went to Ellis block, remained there on hose line. Fire there broke out upstairs, probably
 hour after first fire. Later went around to Mckinley street side Smoke in hallway had strong odor of burning kerosene. Saw fire in the postoffice break out. At that time Golden North was completely burned down. Alameda hotel was also com- pletely burned down and fire in Ellis block was under control. He was not cross examined.
 Frank Hudson next appeared for the government. Had known Kanitz for 15 or 16 months. For a year prior to November 1 had conducted a barbershop in the postoff1ce build ing. On the day following Christ mas Mrs. Kanitz had sent for him and wanted to lease him the shop un :. til the first of June. Refused to ac- cept because of dull times. Asked him to take it and she would make reasonable terms with him. Opened the shop Dec. 28. He lived in No. 4 Kanitz row. On night of December 27 Kanitz had asked h'7~, to sleep up- stairs in Kanitz block 5 he wanted to stay that night with his family He did so. Also slept there on the night of the fire on Kanitz's invita- tion. Kanitz stated that one of the children was sick. Kanitz came to his house about o'clock with re- quest. Went over about 10 o'clock and went to bed. Was aroused by Kanitz at just o'clock the next morning by Kanitz, who stated the whole town was afire. His watch on bedside at chair and looked to see time. He saw glare of fire and went down stairs to shop and packed his grip of tools. He then went to cabin and packed suitcase with clothing and rolled up bedding. Took suitcase over to Front street and placed them beside Kanitz's boat. Saw Kanitz and others taking boat down when he went to his cabin. Went back to shop and gathered up linen and other things and moved chair out in street Also went to lumber room and got a can of gasoline which he took out and buried in the snow. Came back and patrolled building. While going through back saw in Kanitz office a large revolver lying on table. Had seen it before in drawer, never be- fore on desk. After fire started went in and took out another chair with assistance of J. D. Jefferson. Saw smoke in hall. Tried to get in bath room and found afire. Believed that fire started either in boilerroom or Kanitz office. While moving barber chair saw fire in cabin behind post office. Saw Kanitz three times aft CT he was awakened, each time in the rear of postoffice.
 l Only kerosense he ever knew of being in the building was small one gallon can which Kanitz had last spring. Had heard Kanitz complain that he had been double-crossed on postofice deal, and that he had not been paid as agreed. He was ques- tioned as to whether he had ever heard Kanitz express any animosity against the business men of the town. This question brought forth a protest from the attorneys for the defense and considerable argument by counsel, but the court ruled the question admissible. The question was repeated as to Kanitz's attitude toward the business men of the town and the community at large. Admit ted his feelings were not of the best. Had expressed hostility toward Blum, White, Suessdorf and in fact felt bit ter toward whole town. Used strong terms in expressing his feelings to- ward town. Cross examined as to the sentiment toward Kanitz by the people of the town, thought it was not favorable. At this point the court took a recess until 2 o'clock.
 The courtroom was packed with Ispectators, the attendance probably 1kI,