The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1926-01-26
Fourth Building of Attorney
Hamrick, on Same Site,
Destroyed by Fire.
MARSHAL INVESTIGATES
Work of Enemy Seen-Oii-
Soaked Rags Found.

incendiary origin, destroyed the
new home of Jesse d. Hamrick,
attorney, at Stop 5, Michigan
DID,, early today. Loss was esti-
mated at $4,000.
Two flve-gallon cans Of coal oil
were found in the house. Floors
had been soaked with the oil and
rafters in the basement were covered
with oil-soaked rags, fire officials
said.
This is the fourth. dwelling that
has been totally destroyed by fire at
that location during the past three
years. All were owned by Hamrick
and were said to have been set on
fire.
Police Lieutenant Ralph Dean ar
rested James E;ctqn, Negro. S16 w.
Twelfth ST., oacetaker, and slated
him at the city prison on vagrancy
charge with bond at $4,000 for
further questioning.
With Revolver
Battalion Chief Frank Braun and
Captain Bert Unversaw, Of the city
fire department, held Ecton and took
a large 45-calibre revolver from him.
Braun >said they were first called
to the house by Ecton at 1880 a. m.
and extinguished a small fire in the
basement with small loss.
At 4:30 a. m. they were called
again and found the second fire had
started and gained such. headway
it was impossible to save the
dwelling. Chemicals were used to
save the garage. No water was
available.
On the first trip to the house
Braun said firemen found oil-soaked
rags in the basement. On the second
trip two five-gallon cans Of coal oil
were found on the second floor and
the floor had been soaked with oil.
Hamrick Away
Ecton said he is employed by
Hannrick to watch the place and that
Hamrick left for Florida four days
ago. He said after previous fire
an operative of the State fire marsh
ais Office gave him the gun.
Ecton told police after making
round of the house at IL p. m. he
went to the attic where he slept.
About 1 a. m. he was awakened by
the smoke. Crawling to tie roof he
slid down a water spout to the
ground, entered an auto left by
Hanrick, drove to telephone and
called the fire department.
After the firemen left, he said, he
observed no one about the grounds.
He was walking near the house when
he suddenly saw flames shooting out
of the windows. he said. He again
called the fire department.
Ecton insisted he saw no one about
the grounds.
The house was only partly fur
nished and had never been occupied,
Ecton said.
Enemy Accused
Hamrick accused an enemy Of
starting previous fires.
The first fire occurred Feb. 20,
1922, when the original dwelling on
the site was burned to the ground
with $4,000 loss.
Another house was built and on
Nov. 21, 1922, it was destroyed with
$4,000 loss.
While the home destroyed today
was being built, Hamrick and his
on the grounds. 1t was fired and
burned to the ground with $1,000
loss March %, 1925.
Start Investigation
An investigation of the fire today
ha sheen started by the State fire
marshal's Office. State fire officials
also Investigated other blazes and an
indictment was returned by the
Marion County grand jury against
the man accused by Hamrick. The
indictment was dismissed later.
Neighbors were aroused by the Sec
ond fire this morning. Thirty men
formed bucket brigade. but failed
to stop the flames.
The house, which had a brick
veneer foundation, burned to the
ground. Only the chimney was left
standing.
Materials supporting the front
porch at the entrance. were still
smoldering this morning.
OF the house furnishings only a