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Transcribed and submitted by Linda Talbott
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The New York Times
January 17, 1883

           GEO. SCHELLER ARRESTED
           
           CHARGED WITH SETTING THE
            NEWHALL HOUSE ON FIRE.
            
           MILWAUKEE EXCITED OVER THE CHARGE -
            TALK OF LYNCHING - THIRTY SEVEN
              BODIES TAKEN FROM THE RUINS.
              
        MILWAUKEE, Jan. 16. - There was very great
      excitement this afternoon when the arrest of
      George Scheller, the owner of the Newhall bar
      and until recently a clerk at that house, was
      made public. The warrant for Scheller's arrest
      was issued Sunday, as was telegraphed to The
      Times on that day. The warrant is worded as
      follows, and was served late this afternoon:
        "John Hannifin, being duly sworn, complains
      to the Municipal Court of Milwaukee County that
      George Scheller, on the 10th day of January, A.D. 
      1883, at the said City of Milwaukee, in said county, 
      at about the hour of 3 o'clock of the night time of 
      that day, then and there with force and arms in a 
      certain dwelling-house there situated, known as the 
      Newhall House, of which he, the above named George 
      Scheller was there and then a tenant, then and there 
      feloniously, willfully, and maliciously did set fire
      to, and the said house then, and by the kindling of
      such fire, did feloniously, willfully and maliciously 
      burn and consume, contrary to the statute in such case 
      made and provided, and against the peace and dignity of 
      the State of Wisconsin, as said deponent verily believed,
      and prays that the said George Scheller  may be arrested 
      and dealt with according to law."
      
        The news of Scheller's arrest spread over the
      city like wild-fire, and for fear that angry crowds
      would do him bodily harm he was incarcerated behind 
      the bars of the County Jail, thought  to be the 
      safest place. Sheriff Bently issued orders  that no 
      one should be allowed to see him, and immediately
      left the office to escape the bother of dozens who
      had already assembled and begun making requests to
      see him. Reporters were likewise excluded but it was
      said by the jail officers that Scheller refused to
      talk to them.
        At 3:30 o'clock a messenger went for W. H. Ebbitts,
      Scheller's counsel, who called at the jail and was
      refused admittance. After persisting he was allowed
      to go to the upper corridor, where Scheller is con-
      fined. "I hope to God, Scheller, that you are not
      guilty of this thing," said Mr. Ebbitts, and Scheller
      replied, "I am not, but I would rather be in here if
      they suspect me, for it is safer than on the street."
      With this short conversation ended the interview, and
      Mr. Ebbitts left, after promising to look the matter
      up and call again tomorrow morning. Scheller called
      on Mr. Ebbitts yesterday and paid him a retainer to
      commence suit for criminal libel for the two papers
      who charged him with crookedness concerning the fire.
      Three messengers had arrived by the jail by 4 o'clock
      and reported excited knots on the streets with talk 
      of lynching. It is feared there will be trouble when
      it becomes generally known that Scheller is in custody
      on the awful charge and the police and sheriff's are
      prepared to defend him to the last. An extra guard
      will be kept at the jail. This morning a reporter saw
      Scheller standing near the ruins, abstractly gazing
      at the wreck. He was told that there was talk of a
      warrant being sworn out for his arrest. The news
      startled him, and he said that such surely could not
      be the case.
      
        "I would rather drop dead than to be so accused," 
      he said, and if his appearance indicated anything he
      was telling the truth. There was talk that Scheller
      had set his house on fire at North Point, when it
      burned, two years ago. It was afterward clearly proved
      that he was not at home at the time of the fire. 
      Scheller has always borne a good reputation, but his
      unfortunate connection with the Mascotte Saloon, in
      Market street, caused many people to lose respect for
      him. He ran the saloon, a place of low repute, contrary
      to the wish of all of his friends as well as every body
      in its vicinity. Scheller is about 33 years old, and 
      has a small family. Late tonight everything is quiet,
      and there are now no fears of lynching, although a
      strong guard is at the jail. Scheller will be taken
      into court tomorrow. 
      
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