100 years ago in Spokane: Two women arrested for arson in suspected furniture insurance scam

From our archives, 100 years ago

Mrs. Anna Montgomery and Mrs. Ada Leeke, who shared a home with their husbands on West College Avenue, went out and bought a pair of insurance policies for their furniture.

Then, when their husbands were away, they stuffed paper and shavings and other flammables into holes they knocked in the walls, and set the home afire.

At least, that was the assertion of Mrs. Montgomery in an affidavit to the prosecuting attorney.

Mrs. Leeke, Mrs. Montgomery and Mr. Montgomery were all arrested for arson, but in Mrs. Montgomery’s affidavit, she asserted that her husband had nothing to do with it. Police were inclined to believe her and said they were convinced he was unaware that his wife had even purchased the insurance policy.

Mrs. Leeke disputed Mrs. Montgomery’s account and said she could prove she was innocent.

As for Mrs. Montgomery, she said she was “so nervous” when planning and committing the crime that she did not know what she was doing.

Firefighters saved most of the house, but the furniture was destroyed.