Lynchburg daily Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1852-1861, 1859-01-05
Singular Case of Arson and Perjury.

Singular Case OF Arson and Perjury.
In the yonr' 1850 frc destroyed property in the
town Of Akron. Ohio, valued at $4,000. There
was little doubt that the fire was caused by incen-
diarics: but no clue to their detection WIS found
| until year l,a elapsed, when the disclosures Of
| man who had been the instrument of the de-
signers If the crime. and who had removed out of
the State. led to the detection Of the guilty par
ties. Among the buildings destroyed wus one oc-
cupied in part by the firm Of Bowen 4 Barber,
M grocery and provision store. They had in
sured Htnk worth $500 for 81 600, and the mo-
tive for firing The building was " obtain the $500
excess aboye the value Of their stock. They hired
man named Matney, who lived some distance
frn Akrnn. To set the fire. Offering him S25 for
the job man named Jones acting in the matter
for Bowen & Barber. On information obtained
from Matney, Robert w. Jones, Joseph Barber
ana Sanford G. Bowen arrested. Matncy
plead guilty to nm indictment. and his sentence
suspended, until the other parties were tried.
Jones' on being arrested, also made confession On
hi. own part claiming that he had repented Of
his purpose before the actual preparation Of the
crime, and was not technically guilty. 1t wis
deemed important to have Jones testimony to
convict the other parties and a nolte proseqni was
entered upon the indictment against him for ar
SON, But when he came upon the stand he DELHI
eraely deaied the whole statement which he had
made to the District Attorney, and swore to one
exeulpating the principals in the case. This
however, did not prevent their conviction so con-
elusive Of their guilt were the circumstances pro-
on the trial. Jones neither aved himself NOR
his friends by his deliberate perjury. After the
conviction of Bowen and Barber, he was indicted
fr perjury, tried AND convicted, notwithstanding
false swearing was again rcsorted to in order to
save him. The Akron Beacon says these mon
"al have families, are respectfully connected, and
competent to hayo become respectable and inf1u-
ental members of society. There is no question
to their guilt. or tho justice Of their sentences
yet there is, we think. wide spread sentiment Of
sorrow and sympathy in the case of each" Stron Z
efforts will he made to procure their pardon bit
their release is deprecated by the Beacon. Pun
ishment in a of this kind, aggravated by th o
added cnormty of perjury, should be made co.
emplary. The incendiary torch is used too fr :
quenty to admit Of leniency TO those convicted of
arson.-.iU. En-. Jour.
HoRRID BurcnERY OF MEXICAN SoLDIEKs.-A
correspondent Mt Aspinwall, writes, under date Of
Dec 20. as follows
In the engagements between the reactionist 3
forces and those of Vidaurri four hundred Of Il 10
latter's men were captured by the former, who
after seeing then disarmed, and taking from
them their most valuable equipments ordered
his second in command to take them from his sight
and do with than as no thought ft The inhume n
wrotcn, who we'll knew what would ensuc fro IL
such course, placed them in the hands Of h is
soldiery, who were just then in state Of beasty
intoxicaton. They fell upon the captives, Who
were entirely defenseless, and horrible massacre
followed.
AT the end Of the terrible scene, the ifeess bo-
dies of four hundred human beings were found
stretched upon the ground. mangled and weller
ing in their bood-a patent sacrifice to the bloody
cnuse of liberty.
TIE Argentine Government has authorized the
construction of railroad between the capitals of
Santa Fe and Santiago"