Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1837-11-30
Fro. 10 Wsss- CAsssr SIiisys Rsss~d-
FiRE-cRIME AND ITS REWARD.

The grocery store OF j. Clinton. IN
the FIRST story ofthe Odd Fellows Hall.
in this borough, was discovered 10 be
on ire. on Thursday night last. about
~ o'clock. midnighg. Three young
men were passing. and incidentally
lifted the latch Of the front door-found
il unfas,cned. and the building on FIRE.
The door was closed, aud the alarm Civ
en-. In short time our citizens were
aroused, the engines upon the ground.
and the fire was 5000 extinguished
without any considerable damage
The damage DE did not exceed one
hundred dollars. Had the fire progress
ed few moments longer without dis
covery, the whole building aud IL, val.
liable contents worth but little short OF
So. 900. would have been in the most
iinminen; danger.
II was at first apparent that the Ere
~as the work OF an incendiary. The
pnncipal fire was I'm the centre OF the
store near the s,ove-but the large mo-
ney drawer under the counter, in which
were kept msny OF the books and pa
pers OF Mr.. Chnlin, was also on fire;
aud $3.50 had been taken from the
desk, and the other papers set on Ere
II was also said that seven barrels oi
floIr had been removed or consumed.
IL was perfect, certain that the FIRE as
not the result, Of careiesSneSs or acct
dent; no disclosure took place during
the night; but rumor was busy with lis
thousand tongues.
Mex, morning this subject. Of course
was the towns talk. Every one visit
ed the scene Of the 6re--and examined
the damaged boxes OF teas. cofees. SUI
CARS, Sc. The trap door that con,nu-
nicates with the cellar had been forced
open-rhcncs. no doubt. Tie inetadiary
had entered! What was most wonder
full was. tina, the flour was gone; what
could have become Of the seven barrels
OF flour, The story OF Mr.. Clinton
looked so improbable. that many began
20 suspect he himself hal been guilty
Of the arson. aud that the money had
not been stolen.
II was SAID that he had borrowed
money Of one or two neighbors the
day belore-that he had recently go,
his goods insured at Two insurance Off.
ces TO four times their value. Heaven
seems TO have set lis mark on the gull
~ action; and every effort TO blind the
public. seemed to open new light to
their eyes. The money was advertis.
ed. the handhill was headed $685.
but the notes described amounted tc
upwards Of 5000! The house Of re.
spectacle citizen was searched also, fol
the goods-bui in vain-the mystery
was not unravciled. The day passed
ovcr-the store was put TO rights-.he
damage estimated by committee o.
the Insurance conpany-and Mr.. Gin.
ton prepared 10 so TO The city next day
for fresh goods
On the ensuing night. at II o'clock
MIR. Impairment Curiosity, constable
CALLAHAN, took it into his head 10 in
yestIgate the trunks Of Mr.. Clinton
II was daring proposal, and rejecting
IN the highest degree upon the dignity
Of Mr.. T.. II was done howcver-and
the stolen goods found in the trunk
oH6ut the flour. The money was care
fully wrapped up ia n handkerchief.
and the books and pap-rs supposed 10
be burned were there.
Clinton was arrested and taken 10
jail. where he nov iS-awaiting his
trial 70. one Of the most diabolical acts
Of which a man can b. guilty. He is a
young man with every faculty to have
made himself a useful citizen, and an
ornament TO society; he has been resi-
dent in this borough several months
lie may probably have INDUCED in
Gamblins-and here is the melancholy
hnale-a charge Of arson. perjury. and
the fear Of the peniieniiAry IN q
dly-an hoor-a char .c,er may be
forever ruined, which required year.
to establish.