Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1874-03-21
A Curious Case.
The story OF Man who Tried to Burn
Village.

The story OF a Man who Tried to Burn
Village.
The recent trial, conviction, and SEN
tence of William A. Stone to imprison-
ment for life, for the moment revives
public interest in the incendiary fire
which well-nigh ruined the residents of
the village of Canastota, N. Y, last o.
tober. During more than year pre-
viously the villagers had been in night
ly fear of the torch, but in spite of all
their efforts used to discover the ene-
mics, not even a clue could be obtained
Whatever suspicious were entertained
in connection with the subject, from
the result it was evident that they were
wide of the mark. On the night of the
26th of October the long dreaded event
arrived. The incendiary took advan-
tage of strong southerly wind. He set
fire to q barn, which was so situated
that the flames could not fail to speedi-
ly communicate with block of houses,
used for business purposes. Once we'll
started, the work of destruction con-
tinued until six acres we're burnt overs
and the most valuable part of the vii
lage was consumed. Women and chill
dren were driven into the street in their
Eight clothes, and suffered very severe
ly from cold and fright. Many poor
persons lost all they had.
On the following day, at meeting of
villagers, committee was appointed to
investigate the cause of the fire. The
popular verdict was that brand had
been dropped into the barn by an in
cendiary, but there was no evidence
that would warrant the accusation of
any particular person. Every man then,
so to speak, resolved himself into a
committee of one to search for clue.
On the night of November the dill
gence of two young men named Odell
and Ingraham was rewarded by the dis
covery of one Melvin d. Woodford, O
dissipated resident of the village, in the
act of applying a torch to vacant
hotel. He was shot at and wounded
while endeavoring to escape. Subse-
quently, probably under the fear Of ap-
preaching death, he made full confess
sion, from which itappeared tha the and
another dissipated person, of good
family, were but tools in the hands of
one William A. Stone, lawyer of the
village, about thirty eight years of age.
1t further appeared that this trio had
for some years been leaders in an asso-
citation composed of wealthy but worth
! less young men that the members
chiefly occupied themselves in prepar-
ing the groundwork and playing off
what they called "sells" and practical
jokes.
Woodford had once occupied the
handsomest mansion in the neighbor-
hood, and was considered q rising
young man until in an evil moment he
was led into bad society. Stone was a
man of still better prospects. He had
received the benefit of first-rate legal
education, and was brilliant speaker.
In the outset Of his career his prospects
were so good that his friends believed
he would become one of the most emf
nent lawyers in the State. However,
instead of persevering in his efforts to
acquire an enviable name, he stopped
suddenly on the road, became chief
among the dissolute young men of the
| 'lAAo6oOt "no hhbliJ pAOOpCu UllO uCoUlu uC-
tion of the latter. What reason he
could have had for desiring to render
so many persons houseless. from the re-
marks of the Judge in passing SEN
tence, would seem to be still in doubt.
Now, to US, what his object was is quite
plain. Having, by his bad habits,
caused the principal people of the vii
lage to look coldly upon him, he re-
solved, like the burglar or sneak thief,
to "get square," To the minds of his
associates, it appeared like excellent
fun to have big blaze and a tremend-
GUS scare, and they entered into the
scheme with enthusiasm. Stone was,
probably never sober enough to Sc.
riously. consider the consequences Of
his crime. If he had been, it is scarce.
ly possible that he would have willing.
ly run the risk of ending his days in q
State Prison. Be that as it may, his
sentence is just one, and it is to be
hoped that his fate will serve as o warn
ing to the hundreds of young men oi
liberal education and good family who
are to-day falling into eyil ways
through love for wine and play.