Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-03-04
University Student Accused
Of Robbing Laboratory of
$4,000 in Platinum.
SAID TO HAVE SET BUILDING
ON FIRE TO CONCEAL CRIME
Richmond Boy Held for Albe-
marie County Grand Jury
Under $4,000 Bail.
FRATERNITY HOUSE SEARCHED
Arrest Follows Investigation OF Fire
Conducted by State Bureau
of Insurance.

Conducted by State Bureau
of Insurance.
Charged with setting fire to the
chemical laboratory or the University
OF Virginia, in order to hide ,hefts or
platinum valued al s2.5oo. s. Dabney
Crenshaw. ", son of s. Dabncy Crcn-
shaw. OF 9l3 West franklin Street
vice-president of the Virginia Carolina
Chemical Company. was held for the
action OF the Albcmarle County grand
jury In Charlottesville YESTERDAY and
was given his freedom on the filing Of
10000 bond. furnished hy his father.
Tho laboratory was completely de-
stroyed by fire early on the morning
Of January &c under suspicious cir
cumstances. An investigation. which
was begun within three days by
the state Fire Marsla!rs oince ana
Chief OF police T. L. baunron.
OF Charlottesville. led the detectives
In the last few days to Crcnshaw's
room In one Of the fraternity houses.
and his arrest followed.
CHARGED WITH BURNING
PUBLIC BUILDING At NIGHT
Crenshaw was arrested under war
rants issued by Justice OF the Peace
James Humhert. charging him with the
burning OF public building in the
nighttime and with house breaking ind
grand larceny. Ball Commissioner w.
F. Long admitted him 10 bail in the
sum OF 10000 for his appearance at
preliminary hearing held at 1888
O'Clock yesterday afternoon. The hear
Ing was held before Magistrate Hum
bert in the Law Office Of Judge r. T.
W. Duke. Jr. Attorneys Alien and
Walsh appeared AS counsel for the ac-
cused. who was accompanied by his
father. -~s-r-
Details Of the proceedings were not
obtainable last night. but II Is under
stood that the accused waived a
formal preliminary hearing. He was
held for the action of the grand jury
at tho next term OF the Aibcmarlc
Circuit Court.
Young Crcnshaw. who is twenty-five
years old. Is third-year student Mt
tho university and prominent in it's
social and athletic world. He Is
member OF the Delta Tau Delta Fra
ternity
WIDELY KNOWN IN
SOCIETY AND CLUB CIRCLES
In Richmond and university circles
Inst night news OF tho arrest created
profound sensation. The young man
is widely known in the local society
and club world. where he has been a
general favoritc. AT the university
his position was not less prominent.
In his room At the fraternity chapter
house. according TO the Investigators
was found quantity Of the platinum
which he Is charged with stealing
from the college laboratory.
The arrest Of Crenshaw was the cul-
mination OF an inquiry that was in
stituted by Commissioner Joseph But
ton. of the State Insurance Depart
ment. Immediately upon being notified
blythe university authorities that they
suspected the laboratory fire to be OF
incendiary origin. AS Commissioner Of
Insurance. Colonel Button is ex -otHcio
State Fire Marshal. charged with the
duty OF Investigating all fires of sus-
picious nature, whether originating in
private or State-owned buildings.
BoN RIFLED OF ITs
VALUABLE CONTENTS
Deputy Lewis IT, Twyning was as
signed to the case and began work
OH the mystery. Following the sugges-
tion Of the college officials. the fire mar
shall combed the ruins for the metal box
In which were kept the valuable plat
mum crucibles and other rare metals
used In the laboratorys experiments.
After sitting the ashes and debris for
days. Twyning at last found the box,
but 1t was empty.
The finding of the rifed box added
weight to the theory of robbery. Its
contents were roughly valued at $4,000,
mainly in platinum. At this stage in
the investigation. Colonel Button sent
out from his office In Richmond notices
to every dealer. in platinum in the
United States. apprisinE him of the
suspected theft, and warning him to
be on the lookout for persons Offering
the metal for sale Similar warnings
were sent out to the police depart
ments OF the principal cities Of the
country, with the request that sharp
lookout be kept for the missing
platinum in Dawnshops
4AI.L MEMBERS OF CLASS
KEPT UNDER SURVEILLANCE
In the meantime, the investigators
had provided themselves with a list OF
all persons who had had access to the
laboratory. and the members of the
classes that had used the building were
kept under close surveillance. Before
long the Investigators heard from a
dealer to whom platinum had been
offered by a student of the university.
and II was through this channel. II Is
believed, that the officers gathered the
evidence on which they based the war;
rants against Crenshaw.
The Albemarle grand jury will meet
on the frst Monday in April. The
charges leave room for separate in
dictments for house burning. house,
Continued on Eleventh PageD