Tonopah daily bonanza. [volume] (Tonopah, Nev.) 1906-1929, 1921-12-28

The inquisition to determine
# possible the cause of the de-
struction Of the Harrington House
on last Friday night, was given
to the jury this afternoon, but
at the time of going to press no
verdict had been returned.
From evidence introduced today
at the inquisition held before Jus
flee Cuddy to determine the cause
Of the fire that destroyed the Har-
rington House, better known as the
"Big Ship" which resulted in the
death OF three miners on last Fri
day night it appears most conyinc-
ng that the building was destroyed
by frebugs
The fact was brought out most
torcibly that the blaze did not re-
suit from an overheated stove in the
sitting room off the dining room, a
haIf-dOzen witnesses testifying that
the fire had died out, and as mat
ter Of fact the stove was cold.
That the destruction of the build
Ing and the death of the three men
was the dastardly work Of ncen-
diaries is no longer doubted, but the
fastening of the crime upon the
guilty parties will most likely prove
a difficult task, although the au-
thorities are bending every. energy
to bring the guilty parties to justice.
The courtroom of Justice Cuddy
was thr0nged with people who We're
anxious to get a line on the work
Of the supposed arsonists The in
QUESTION is being conducted by Dis
tric Attorney Frank Dunn, while
Judge William FOrman appears as a
special representative of the Tono-
pah Belmont Development company
Among those present who are insls-
tent that a thorough investigation
be made of the destruction to life
and property were Frederick Brad
shaw and l.. R. Robins general
manager and superintendent, respec-
lively of the Tonopah Belmont com
pany.
A. Tdwell, a miner on the grave
yard shift at the Belmont mine, who
left the boarding house at 1890 Fri
day night, or just 10 minutes before
the discovery of the fire, testified
he saw two men standing near the
building on Belmont avenue He
stated that when he emerged from
the entrance the men turned their
backs to him and proceeded to carry
On a conversation, only a portion OF
which he overheard. One remark in
particular that attracted his atten
ton was, you bet" Shortly there
after Tidwell stated he was informed
at the Belmont shaft that the Big
Ship" was on fire
0. F. Wade, who rooms at the
ComstOck house, and who hurried to
The Harrington House following the
alarm OF fire, testified regarding
meeting a stranger who asked him
Where he was stopping. When told
The Comstock, Wade says the fellow
who was attired in a dark suit and
white hat, said: You had better
leave there; if the building does not
30 up tonight it will in a couple OF
days" Wade says it would be i'm
possible to recognize the speaker
even though he met him face to
lace, as some wounded man who had
escaped from the burning structure
came along about that time and he
took the unfortunate fellow to his
room where he gave him some
clothing.
John Pelchy, dishwasher, who
slept off the dining room, was the
discoverer of the fire. Pelchy haC
turned out the large light in the sit
ting room, had taken particular no
uce that there was no fire in tht
stove, but forgot to close the tive
doors as was his usual custom. His
room was directly across the hall
and he left his door ajar, and upoI
turning in bed he noticed light il
the sitting room. Thinking someone