Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1876-12-01
INDIAN.

WINDHAM.
On the 18th, 18th and 10Th inst, Ira
F. Preston, transient resident of Wind |
ham, Ziba Howard, and Sidney H. Jones,
residents of Windham, and Mr.. Eager,
resident of Londonderry, were arrested
and held for examination relative to the
late fires. The examination commenced
on Monday, the goth, under Justice Wy
man of Grafton. Counsel Tor prosecu-
ton, Messrs. Stoddard and Walker
counsel for respondents, Messrs Reed
and Martin. The trial continued until
Wednesday night. The evidence against
Sidney H Jones and Ira F. Preston was
such as to bind each, in the judgment of
the court, in the sum of $4,000, for trial
before the county court.
1t appears that Jones passed through
the center of the town an hour or two
before the first of the series of fires, that
led to this trial. The circumstances
which cast suspicion are as follows:
On the morning Of Oct. 18th, he call
ed at Harris store and purchased sever
al articles. He gave instructions to have
them placed in an outbuilding in case
his return was delayed until after shut,
ting up the store. He then proceeded to
Chester with load of hay. At about
one o'clock at night his wagon was heard
in the street. He stopped and procured
the articles referred to. Mr.. Harris was
Weakened by an incident which occurred
in his house at about the same time, and
observed the movements of Mr.. Jones
After placing the articles in the wagon,
Jones left his team and went up in the
direction of the school house. After a
few moments he proceeded with his team
| towards home. An hour or two after
| this the school house was in flames and
! it should be borne in mind that it stood
near the residence of VIM. Harris, Jr.
Jones has repeatedly intimated that the
HAIRLESS would suffer Cor deserved to
suffer- on account of certain unpleasant
relations they have had with him in
years past. Evidence to this effect was
extensively produced.
On a certain night, shortly after the
last fire, the watch fired on suspicion:
persons prowling about the premises. 1t
was testified that on the morning after
the shooting, Jones remarked. there's
where they shot at us"
| Jones admits passing through the
place a short time before the schoo
house fire; also that he stopped at Har
ris's and went towards the school house
but with the object of getting stick tt
use about his chain. He admits having
, remarked, there's where they shot d
: them," not " at u.s." He declares the ev
: idence manufactured and that he is en-
tirely innocent of the charges. In de
5 fault of bail he has been committed
Preston lives with Jones. He claim
) no permanent residence and also affirm
] himself under twenty years of age. The
| evidence is as follows The large barr
J was burned early in the evening of Oct
b 18th. Some five minutes previous b
Y was seen about the barn, or it is so stat
d ed. Soon after the fire broke out one o
t two witnesses testify to having seen hir
: emerge from a field back of the bar
e and store. He ran away at a rapid ratt
b He endeavors to prove an alibi. D.
e Spaford, J. c. Jones and other reliabl
2. citizens went to Sidney Jones while til
d fire was in progress. Preston was ther
e and manifested no excitement and shov
r ed no signs of hard running The hors,
1t at Sidney Jones were all right and
1t the stable. A Mr.. Button testifes
having seen young Preston at Mr.. Jone
about dark and at the time when h
(Mr. D. , started for the fire. The judi
ment of the court was adverse to Pre-
= ton and he has been committed togetht
" with his employer.
= Jones has been knows as a man of
" turbulent disposition, having had sci
: Gus difficulties in his family and wi
his neighbors. Preston has been only
transient resident of Windham and Civ
It no satisfactory account of his past Ii
r: Harris & Co. have sought an impa
be tial trial Justice Wyman could n
r. have been biased with the exciteme
f. prevailing here. Harris & Co. decli
lie to attach Jones property to indemni
De themselves from losses. The affirm tn,
ps sole desire to gain protection.
Eager and Howard have been RELEASE