The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1920-03-26

attempt at arson. He told his
story to County Attorney c. e.
Phillips and Deputy Fire Mar,
shall Martin. kaei claimed that
Aomer had nothing to do with
the attempt to fire the building.
Breaking silence for the first time
since their arrest Monday night, AL.
bert Aomer. and Marvin Kael, tn,
two men being held at the county
Jail on the charge of arson in the
first degree, in connection with ar
attempt to burn the Kohler building
talked at length to Free Press re.
porter this morning. When approach
in the Jail both men were very
willing to talk. Mr.. Kael was yer,
emphatic in his statement as to the
innOcense of Mr.. Aomer, but wher
asked what he had to say as to his
own guilt of innocence in the affair
he evaded the answer by stating thai
when he appeared in court before
Judge Hiram s.. Golf he would have
a statement to make along that line
Both mems faces show indication
of considerable worry, and the pallol
of their cheeks is still there.
Taking the initiative in making the
statement, Mr. Kael said: ~,
I "Mr. Aomer was not at the store
during the afternoon, and did not
come down to the store until about
8 p. IN. At that time he came down
with hi scar for the purpose of taking
me out to his home at 1921 Fourth
avenue. where | stay with the family
Mr.. Aomer did not come into the
store"
Asked in regard to the curtains be-
ing down. Mr.. Kael stated that ever
ince taking over the store in No
vember, it had been the custom OF
the firm to draw the shades before
locking the store for the night. On
the night mentioned, Mr.. Kael had
pulled down the curtains, turned out
'he lirhts and locked the doors be-
fore leaving for home with Mr..
Aomer. .,...,.-... s..
"Since you established business al
that place did you at any time deal
in kerosene?" asked the reporter.
Can of Kerosene. .ns.,...,
"No, mister, we did not, but we
always kept Il small can of kerosene
In the store f1r the purpose of kind
ling the fires" said Mr.. Kael.
Continuing Mr.. Kael said. "Mr
Acme is not guilty at all, because
he was not at the store that after.
neon, and does not know anything
about the fire.
When asked as to his knowledge OF
the origin Of the fire. Kael hesitated
for a moment while he conver5ed
with Mr.. Aomer in the Turkish Ian
guage, and then replied, Mister
will make that statement 10 Judge
Golf this afternoon. but do not want
to make a statement just now" -.
At this point in the interview, Mr..
Aomer stated that ever since he wen
into business at 313 North Front
street, there had been considerable
iealousy among certain of his &C
uuaintances, and that he was sure
that he has a number of enemies,
who right have tried to burn the
store for spite. Mr.. Kael reiterated
the remarks of Mr.. Aomer, and sale
that he was sure that he and Mr.
Aomer had a number Of enemies in
this city. All of this ill feeling was
The outgrowth of feud existing be-
tive en- some acquaintances.
Mr.. Kael says that he was threat
ened by one Of these people sooi
after he and Mr.. Aomer started II
business. 80
"This man came into the store,
said Mr.. Kael. land caused lot Oh
trouble by talking and saying thai
we took sides with his enemies IT
the feud or trouble. which took place
out on the prairie in the north enc
of the city some time before.
told him that l did not know anything
about it, and that he was talking
foolish. Following this told him
he had no business to come into the
store and start trouble without an!
reason. / have not spoken to TINS
man since"
Aomcr Born Near Damascus.
Albert Aomer says he was born
near the city of Damascus. Arabia
and came to this country abou'
twenty years ago. He first took ny
his home in Sioux City, and later
moved 20 this city, where he has
since made his home. The first few
wears of his residence here he was
neddler. Fro number of years ne
has been engaged in the merchantlle
| business. He was married in 1901 u
Miss Phoebe King of this city. Since
hen two children have been born u
| them. 49,
When asked in regard to the
amount of insurance carried on thu
stock of goods at 313 North From
| ~treet, both men stated the pollcls:
amount to $4,000. They were un
able to make even rough estimate
he value of the stock carried II
the store, owing to the fact tina
| Goods were being continually sold
| and other stock purchased to replen'
| ish the store.
Both men were anxious TO kno"
how the public felt in regard to th'
affair, and when informed that PEG
ple seemed to think that guilt point
ed their way, they both turned {
-,,ade paler, and stated that tina
was all they wished to say until they
we're taken to court.
The insurance Matter.
Deputy Fire Marshals Martin ant
Conley, who are here on the Aomel
| and Kael case. have secured tht
| services of A. H. SLIDER and j. b
| Richards to take an invoice of thu
| stock in that store. These two gen
tlemen were busy the greater part O.
today going over the stock IN orde'