100 years ago in The Saratogian
Wednesday, Nov. 13, 1918. Carroll P. Allen goes on trial today for setting fire to his Putnam Street garage last September, but the defendant’s romantic life may really be on trial.
Allen was arrested for the alleged arson after Patrolman Eugene Higgins saw him leaving the garage shortly before Higgins detected fire in the building early on the morning of September 30. On the witness stand today, Higgins gives a detailed account of Allen’s arrest.
Higgins testifies that Allen told him that he was “in a jack-pot.” Contrary to the common meaning of the word jackpot in the 21st century, that’s not a good thing. According to an archaic meaning of the word in the Old West and among criminals, to be “in a jackpot” means to be in big trouble. Higgins himself concedes under cross-examination that he didn’t understand what Allen meant by the term.
According to Higgins, Allen explained that when the patrolman saw him, he was trying to find a fire extinguisher to put out the blaze without making it public. Allen wanted to keep it secret, Higgins explains, because he “had a woman there.”
Allen wanted so badly to keep his activities that night secret that he offered Higgins between $50 and $100 if the patrolman wouldn’t mention anything that happened. He assured Higgins that the fire was purely accidental, caused by his smoking on a mattress.
Prosecutors have claimed that Allen set the fire to collect insurance, but defense attorneys claim that liens that had been placed on Allen’s property rendered his fire insurance policy void, leaving no motive for arson.
Defense attorney Harold H. Corbin asks Higgins whether Allen offered him money to keep quiet about the woman, not the fire. “I suppose so,” the patrolman answers. Under cross-examination, Higgins testifies that Allen admitted to being “in wrong” with his wife, but admitted no wrongdoing regarding the fire.
Victory Celebration Casualty
William M. Hunt dies early this morning at Saratoga Hospital from injuries sustained during the Spa City’s celebration of the end of the world war last Monday night.
Hunt, a mason and a married father of two, hopped on the running board of William Tolmie’s car during the mob scene. When he jumped off on North Broadway, he stumbled and hit his head on the pavement, fracturing his skull. It’s unclear whether he ever regained consciousness. What’s Happening The Broadway Theatre hosts a live performance tonight of the musical comedy “Going Up,” featuring a “Big Chorus of Youthful Beautiful Girls,” while the Palace presents the William Farnum picture “True Blue” and the Lyric offers cowboy star Harry Carey in “Hell Bent.”