The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1926-09-15

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FIRE DESCRIBED
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time" when fremen returned the
second time. Unversaw said.
Upon cross-examination Unversaw
said he told Ecton Ito watch the
place, because whoever set the place
afire will be back before morning"
Unversaw said he told Ecton he
would hold him responsible for any
more fires. Unversaw said he asked
Ecton who started it, and the Negro
replied he didn't know; that the
barking dogs woke him.
Drawers Ransacked
Green, when cross-examined by
Emsley w. Johnson, defense counsel,
said he noticed the dresser drawers
in the bedroom were pulled out.
turned over and ransacked. He said
the kitchen silverware was also scat
tered on the kitchen floor.
- Green said he. remarked, II know
we'll be back here from all indica-
TONS" and Ecton replied, II didn't
set it afire but 1 know who did"
Lieutenant Timer. who arrived first
al the house, said the basement was
al ''ze when he arrived. He said all
on lie materials in the basement had
not caught fire and that it was "ab-
soluteiy out" before firement left.
1t is believed the second fire started
in or rear the attic.
Charl, Burton, n neighbor of
Hamrick's, testified Ecton woke his
household up and asked that the
firemen be called. He said he went
to the home and attempted to put
the fire out. There was no bucket
or container handy with which to
pour water on the flames, Burton
said.
Remembers Other Fires
Burton said he remembered the
two fires which occurred at the Ham
rick home in 1922. Michael J. Ryan,
defense co-counsel. objected when
Remy asked if Burton recalled that
just prior. to the first fire in 1922
Hamrick moved most of his furni-
ture from the house. Burton said
there had ben four fires at the Ham
rick site.
Hamrick, a small white-haired
man. past 20, was very attentive
during examination of witnesses.
He took notes and continually con-
versed with his attorneys. Mrs.
Hamrick, who was attired in a dark
suit, and a hat which shielded her
face, also watched the witnesses and
jurors closely.
Fred 1. King Of the State fire
marshals office Is assisting in the
prosecution, declared Hamrick's
homes were destroyed twice in the
fall and winter OF 1922. Hamrick
tried very persistently and insis-
tently to prove Charles T. Kaelin,
neighbor. responsible for these two
fires" said King in his opening
statement to the jury. Ecton was
hired in 1923 and retained until Jan.
26. 1926, date of the last fire.
Barn Burned
In March. 1925, an old barn was
destroyed by fire, King said. 1.-THE
evidence will prove that these de.
PENDANTS and Ecton were responsi.
bic for that fire and show a contin
uity of action and general scheme
which finally resulted in the last
fire." King said.
The last house was completed in
1925 at a cost of about $4,000, up.
on which Hamrick took two $1,000
insurance policies. King said. King
said that while this large modern
home was sparsely furnished with
furniture valued at not more than
$500. the furniture was insured for
81, 900.
Prior to the burning of the last
house. >/Hamrick said to Ecton,
Charlie Kaelin is trying to burn
this. house, why not beat him to it :"
King declared. King said the trio
then planned to destroy the house.
King said the evidence will show
Mrs. Hamrick ordered sixty gallons
Of coal oil put in the basement, that
Ecton hauled boxes and trash into
the basement, hung wres across the
ceiling and saturated everything
with oil. After Hamrick and his wife
had left ostensibly for Florida, Ec-
ton set fire to the place at midnight,
King asserted.
Home Destroyed
King said a passing interurban
crew. seeing the blaze helped to ex-
tinguish it with the aid of Indian
apolis fire department. Several
hours later the place was ablaze
again and completely destroyed,
King said.
Rayn, in his opening statement,
said Hamrick had practiced law here
for forty-sfx years after studying at,
Indiana University, Cornell and Uni
versity of Michigan. His home on N.
Meridian St., was burned before
Hamrick married Mrs. Hamrick and
while he was out Of town, Ryan
said. This site was sold for $4,000
and the site on Michigan Rd. pur-
chased, he said.
Jury members are: Albert Maillard,
Frank Bishop, Howard Amos,
Charles M. Mock, Ben Drager. AL
bert 7. Shaw, William A. Richard
son, c. F. A. Enders, E. Warner,