Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1871-09-26

Farmers in the city yesterday re
ported that on Sunday morning last
the dwelling house of farmer named
Hugh McCarn, living twelve miles
from the ,city on the Gratiot road,
was burned to the ground, the inmates
escaping only by jumping from the
windows. The burning of the house
reduces Mr.. McCarn from comparative
wealth to point scarcely above pow
erty, although he still has the land on
which it stood and pair of strong
arms to commence work anew. 1t is
the third or fourth incendiary fire
which has visited him within less than
three years, and it is thought that this
last act of the rascal's will lead to his
detection and punishment. About
three years ago, McCarn was employ
ed in the tin shop of James Gill, on
Michigan avenue, and was known as
an energetic, honest and faithful man.
Receiving sum of money from an cs-
tate, he removed from the city to the
point named, purchased a farm, hotel
and other buildings, and began the
life of farmer, renting his hotel in
stead of keeping it.
Having some money yet left, lie
loaned several hundred dollars to a
farmer in that vicinity, securing him.
self by a mortgage. On this mort
gage, up to two or three months ago.
no money was ever paid, the mortgagor
finding MeCarn big-hearted man,
who did not feel like pushing matters
to the extent allowed by law. He
however wanted his money, as every
man wants what is due him, and on
asking his.debtor what he proposed to
do, the mortgage having then expired,
he was met by volley of oaths and
abuse, and threatened with all sorts of
calamities in case he pushed matters.
That night, barn containing sew
eral hundred dollars worth of hay
and farming implements, was burned
to the ground, and the act being clearly
that Of an incendiary. Suspicion
pointed strongly to the mortgagor, but
there were not sufficient proofs to war;
rant his arrest. Something like
year ago, the mortgage being then
overdue many months, McCarn again
endeavored to collect his money with
out resort to foreclosure, and he was
again refused it, the debtor even re-
fusing, with threats, to pay a shilling
Of the interest money, and making
threats. He was informed that fore
closure was certain unless he paid up
the mortgage. That night the tavern
stand, renting for four hundred dollars
per year, was fred by an incendiary
aud burned to ashes. There was
again strong suspicion that the re- |
vengeful debtor was the criminal, but |
again proofs were lacking, and Nc
earn would not procure his arrest. A |
month ago, after the usual period of |
advertising, McCarn had the farm sold |
by foreclosing the mortgage. He ex-
pected that his dwelling house would
be next selected by the iucendiary,
md for many nights preserved strict |
watch, also keeping such watch as he
could on the movements of the person
most suspected. Sunday night week,
tired out and believing himfelf safe,
McCarn went TO bed and to sleep. An
,our or two before daylight he was
awakened by the sensation Of being
'mothered, and leaped out of bed to
ind his house wrapped in flames. One
lftcr another his children we're tossed
rom the window, his wife leapcd down
md he followed last, having saved moth
ng but little bed clothing There
ras no insurance ON house or furni-