Morning journal and courier., 1880-05-03
--------------=--------- Tormented by Fire.
The Queer Story Told by a German
 LRbOrer i'm cleveland.

From the Cleveland (Ohio] Leader1 At No. 76 Lussendsn avenue live the family of John Bush, hard working German, em- ! ployed at the Cleveland Rubber Works. The story, as learned by 8 Leader reporter, who visited the place yesterday, sayors so much of the supernatural that he feels able simply to reproduce it without attempting any theory. The house, which stands in that portion of the Sixteenth ward between Giddings and Madison avenues, largely inhabited by the employees of the mills and manufactories along the Cleveland and Pittsburg railway tracks, is small and unattractiye in appear ance, being but one story high with an attic.
 As the reporter approached it at dusk last evening the street in front and the yard
 were crowded with anxious-looking men,
 women and children, who had been attracted
 from ths neighborhood by the reports that they
 had heard Of the mysterious appearance of
 fire at intervals within the house. Bush was
 found in the shed or back kitchen surrounded
 by another curious gathering. to whom he
 was relating recent occurrence. The floor
 was covered with couple of bed-ticks and articles of furniture, and in the front room the
 wife and several other women were with the children, nine in all. The older of these sat about the room with fear in their white faces,
 while the younger tottled about in innocent play, unable to comprehend the unusual com motion. There was 8 heavy, unpleasant smell of smoke throughout the house, and va- rious garments and articles of furniture showed
 
 The mans statement, made in broken Eng fish, as best he could, is as follows: Several months ago he moved from Amherst, where he had lived for thirteen years most of that time being employed as switchman on the Lake Shore road. Five or six years ago his house was destroyed by fire, the cause being, as was supposed, defective fue. His first home in this city was at No. 1,177 Lincoln avenue, where on Sunday, the 18th inst, the first remarkable appearance of flames oc- cured. Some clothes, coat, vest and dress, which hung on the wall, suddenly began to smoke, sending forth 8 peculiarly sckening smell. This was followed in a moment by dark blue blaze that leaped hungrily over the garments, and almost consumed them before the fire was extinguished by the astonished Bush. His wife said that matches in his pocket had ignited, but he was positive there were no matches there. On ths following day he went to work as usual, and when he scame home was met by his wife, who was frantic with fear. During his absence the fire had ep- peared seven different times. In the first instance, the bed upon which one of the chil- dren lay sleeping took fire, reappearing twice after it had been put out. Being of a super stitious nature, she feared that some evil spirit hung over them and craved for the life of tho youngest child. To appease the wrath of the unknown, whatever 1t was she went out into the fields and cast to the winds all the money they had-some $50, Gall but $10 of this was afterward found
 The father decided to stay at home the fol- lowing day and watch, calling in a friend to do the same. By this time the mystery was being noised about somewhat, and everybody that came in decided that the children had been playing with matches. There seemed no other explanation, but the youngsters stoutIy denied this Dr. J. B. McGee, living near, was called In to make an examination. He thought at first that 1t was an ignition of phosphorus, but upon hearing the story in akai fhaa nlnfin Rnah appealed to Father Baker, of the Church of the Holy Family, who came to the place, but could shed no light on the subject. A second time, when Bush called on the priest, he told him the stories were all nonsense, and gave him to understand that he thought he was drunk.
 Bush remained at the house on Lincoln ave- nue until Tuesday, when he made up his mind to quit the place and move to the house on Lussendsn avenue, hoping thereby to shake off the mystery. On Friday the fire once more appeared, burning the straw in one of the beds. The straw in barrel that stood in the shed was also burned in the same manner on Saturday, together with several coats that hung on the wall.
 The family had by this time nearly become crazy. Many of their household goods and clothes had been destroyed, and some of tha neighbors, filled with sympathy came In and endeavorsd to console them and pacify their fears as bsst they could. On Sunday, Mrs. Poland, @ lady nVlng on Gld- dinRs avenue, dropped in to lend her aid in this direction. She took off her hat and laid it upon the table, where it had not remained five minutes when a large feather upon it was touched by the strange flame and nearly con. sumed. The reporter called upon Mrs. FQ- land, who fully corroborated this statement. and exhibited the hat as proof. On Monday the fire appeared twice, each time destroying some clothes. Yesterday morning @ childs dress that hung on peg near the door smoked. blazsd for 8 minute or two, and fell to the floor. These singular occurrences have been by neighbors who came in to watch put of curiosity, and there Is no one living on the street but believes everything that is told. The reporter selected one man from the crowd that stood about while Bush was making his statement. He appeared intelligent, and ready to tell all he knew. Bush's story he true in every particular. He had himself seen coat burn up in the mysterious manner described, but, like the rest, could of fer no explanation whatever.
 These are plain facts. There is no reason .o doubt Bush's story, while there is good proof that he has told the truth. The sus pense he has gone through seems to have nearly crazed him. No one can convince him there is not something supernatural in it. He insists that he has donS nothing wrong to deserve this kind of persecution, and pro- poses to go to Amherst to- day for the testi- monials of his former employers and others who knew him as to his good character, al- though he fails to show in what way they can