The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1878-01-24


January 18-As before announced, the store Of
R. W. Fitzpatrick, of this village, burned on thu
morning Of the 18th The building belonged Il
T. s. Shaw, and occupied by Fitzpatrick as mil
inery store. The second story was used by XII
patrick ss a dwelling. His wife had just gone tt
her friends on visit while he lodged In these
rooms and took his meals at the hotel. Sunday
night coal oil was scented in the rooms in the
building adjoining and since the fire every effort
has been made to ascertain the cause, 1t ap'
peared that more than one FIRE had been lighted
and that every thing about the building was satu-
rated with coal oil. To-day Fitzpatrick was con-
fronted by the owner of the building and charged
with having set the fire, Thereupon he (Kilpat'
rick made full confession, which is in substance
~ follows: That his wife's father or friends, had
furnished means for him to go into business, and
being on the verge of bankruptcy he could not
meet his friends in case Of failure; that there was
Q good insurance, and the money therefrom
would relieve him In his extremity. On Sunday
morning he commenced preparations, He poured
coal oil on the goods, furniture, and about the
building split up kindling, piling them in the
cellar, in the drawers with the goods, and else
where about the room. He worked at this until
church time and then attended church. After
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the evening meeting, when he sgain attended
service at the church, after which he returned to
his work until 10 o'clock In the evening, then
went to bed and slept until o'clock on Monday
morning, when he arose. partly dressed him self,
and set the several fires. This done he, in un-
dress, rushed to he courthouse on the opposite
side OF the square, and rang the fire alarm. After
making full and free statement he gave himself
A.. 49, IL kaF.
the Mayor, warrant was Issued, and tonight he
occupies quarters in the jail, awaiting the action
of the Grand Jury on the morrow. He says he
shall plead guilty to the indictment Of arson that
will be found against him.
Nothing has so shocked the community here as
the announcement Of this great crime. R. W.
Fitzpatrick had come to our town we'll recon-.
mended, and stood high in the estimation Of our
people as a scholar and Christian gentleman Il
does not appear that he had removed anything
from the building. All Of his own clothing, his
Wife's clothing and that Of sister, who had
been living with them, was destroyed. There was
about 5000 of insurance on the goods In his
wife's name, and sl.4OO on household furniture in
his name II the wife is not connected with the
fraud in any way she may collect her insurance,
but, Of course the companies will contest the
claim TO the bitter end.
Tonight, fitzpatrick says It does not seem as II
he did the work. 1t seems as If 1t must have been
some one else that he could not help 1t; that he
was possessed Of the idea that 1t was rghtand the
only way out Of his trouble, and by some uneon.
trollable power he was pushed on and compelled
TO do the deed His wife has not returned and
may be even now ignorant Of what has transpired
here. He says as for himself he can suffer the
penalty Of the law, and that he has been and
will not, by his fellows be longer sdjudged a ahyp.
Ocrte. He says he feels the worst for the disgrace
to his friends, His sister, who had been teaching
music and was starting on new term with a
large class, is prostrated by the news Of this day
The FIRE company did excellent work. too II
was extremely cold and there was a scarcity of
water but very little damage was done TO the
adjoining bull dings while this building is a total
wreck and ruin. II was in our brick row, on the
west side OF Court street, and will be rebuilt as
soon as spring opens