The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1879-09-25
'aaltsre11menms.
FANATlCISM.
THE ACCURsED WORK AT GODLN
WEsTERvfLIE
What the IdIotlc RAWLINGS Of Apostle Bowen Has
Done-Further Partlculars--What Has Seen
and Heard Before the Exploblon-The In.
dignAtlOn Growing Deeper.
TsUeCIaI q he Columbus Democrat. ]

Especial to the Columbus Democrat
Westerville. O., Sept. 15.--The excite.
ment since my last dispatch hasAbeCame
intense, and the indignation OF the true
Americans who reside here outspoken.
1t is unquestionably true that thereis an
,undercurrent of feeling among an isola'
ted few which is one of brutal enjoyment
Of the malicious destruction of Corbin's
home. There have been expressions
made by the fanatical supporters of pro-
hibition, that the fiendish work was
heavenly accomplishment, the damage
entailed upon others being the sole al
10y in their bliss.
To obtain true conception of the pre-
vailing sentiment, your reporter inter-
viewed several of the leading citizens of
the village-men who by the universal
verdict were noble citizens, possessed of
mature Judgment, and imbued with the
real spirit of American civilization.
Mr.. Westervelt was found at his place
of business. Years ago, when Wester-
vile had no such miscreants as to-day
reside within her limits, Mr.. Westervelt
was a member of the Legislature. He
said "This fendish outrage is the di.
rect outcroppiDg of the fanaticism which
existed in such rankness two years ago.
I have heard men in the pulpit here in
dulge in the widest of incendiary talk,
inspired by their zeal in the cause Of
temperance. l am a strong temperance
man, and would be glad had Mr.. Corbin
never opened his saloon, but l most
openly denounce such trampling upon
law, and complete overriding of the
principles of order and humanity as this
occurrence has shewn. Mr.. Corbin al.
ways claimed he had as much right to
sell liquor as the drug stores; his bust.
ness was not opposed to the law of the
State. In my transactions with him,
Harry Corbin has been honest-I be-
lievs him honest-his saloon is quiet
place. There are men in this commu.
nifty who wear the sgarb Of sanCtimony,
and are loud in their apostolic temper.
ance work, who sneak up alleys and
through back gates to obtain drinks. Not
one in fifty will champion the diabolical
act committed last night. Corbin has
said to me that he was poor and in bad
health, and that he could follow no other
business" COL Thsyer was approached
He detailed the history of the fanatical |
rawlings of some of the citizens of the |
village, and the hideous treatment of
Corbin four years ago. Mill, United
Brethren preacher, had from the pulpit
proclaimed that there was law higher
than earthly law, instruCting the demo
lition of tippling houses. Robinson and
Wallace, other divines, had gone to the
same extremes of higotry, and counter.
anced the violation of the organic law
of the land. Col. Bowen had arrived in
town and proved to be the prince of fa-
natics' All the lurking prejudices and
binding intolerance Of certain classes
had been again iDf1amed. These men
had either wrought this devilish de-
struction, or hired some miserable tools
to accomplish it. Other citizens were
conversed with concerning the matter,
and they deprecated in the strongest Ian.
guage the despiCable act Some were
heard, with that deplorable suspicious
nature, stating their belief that Cerbin
himself had done the deed, and that none
of his family we're in the hotel at the
time. When the motive was asked that
would thus induce man to destroy all
he possessed, the answer came, that he
might enlist public sympathy, be exalt-
ed to martyrdom, or to obtain damages
from the city, greater than the actual
loss. How dear a price for martyrdom.
This morning Mayor Alexander ap.
pointed DR.. Coble, Prof McFadden and
VIM. Frazier, a committee to investigate
the matter. They reported as follows
10 the Mayor and 7Own Council of Re8ter-
UlLe
We, the undersigned committee, ap-
pointed to investigate the probable ma
trre of the explosion which destroyed
the house occupied by H. H. Corbin, re-
port that we examined the remains of
the building, and come to tLis conClu.
sion: That the destruction was caused
by the explosion of large quantity of
gunpowder, which was placed in the re-
cess of the cellar window in the south
end of the building, and near the south
west corner, aud was lighted by fuse
leading from the street.
Thos. McFadden, D. W. Coble, VIM.
Frazier, Committee.
A Ooaatino mill INa l. o1J 10 v,sc,bE b 49,,
slider the advisability Of Offering re.
ward for the apprehension of the scoun.
drels. The desire of many is to offer
$1,000. Your correspondent succeeded
in hunting up some valuable informa
ton, which conclusively settles few
points. About half square south of
the Corbin House, and on the opposite
side of the street, is the drug store of the
Whitehead Bros. They both sleep over
their store. On the same floor are the
rooms of Marshal Knox. About half
past one O'Clock one of the brothers
heard a slight noise in the hall; he arose
and opened the door, supposing some
parties were attempting an entrance into
their drug store. The intruders started
down stairs. The other brother lighted
a lamp and followed; when at the land
ing he heard whistle at the street cor
ner south. The man crossed the street
and then two men were discovered on
the opposite side. The brothers went
to sleep again, and were soon awakened
by smelling the burning of a candle, or
having the odor of bread.
Soon afterward the explosion happened.
1t is surmised that the first presence of
the men was for the purpose of watch
nc, tho rOono If fha vy;lIoUa ,,,orsba1. tba |