Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1881-05-19

situated on the Long Lake plantation,
and find that the general opinion of the
persons residing IN the vicinity of the
said plantation is that the burning was
the work of an incendiary, but they find
no clue to the perpetrators OF the act.
1t Unsupported that the property destroyed
was fully covered by insurance"
In conclusion Judge Bridger SAYS: 81
have conversed with an eyewitness Of
the burning of the Heath gin and the
circumstances attending It, and am
fully convinced that the property was
burned to get the insurance money.
The foreman of the jury informed me
that, while they could not get sufficient
evidence to authorize them to find bill,
yet he was fully persuaded and con-
vinced in his own mind that the prop
srty was burned to obtain the insurance
money. This is the general opinion of
those in the parish who are acquainted
with the facts. Indeed, / think evil
dence had been obtained sufficient to
justify the Grand Jury at the July term
in finding a bill. Our jurors are dis
posed to perform their duties regard
less of persons, as two convictions for
arson were made at the January term.
There are mortgages ON record against
Heath property in this parish to the
amount Of 81. 263.29. / learn, but, /
cannot say that it is true. that the prop
erty burned was insured for $4. 600.
Appraisers appointed and sworn to fix
its value since the fire with the view
of collecting the insurance inform me
that they fixed its value at $1,000.
Heath says he has 1000 acres
valued at, including buildings, $685.
600. His assessment shows 26O. acres.
valued at. including buildings, $500.
He intimates that he had large stock
at the time of the fire. The appraise-
ment of the cash value of the merchau-
disc or stock in trade was $4O0. and
am informed by the Sheriff and others
familiar with his business that he never
had a large stock on hand, and that at
the time of the fire the stock was much
smaller. His statements are totally
false and SANDER on the people of our
parish. With the exception of an oc-
casional personal difficulty among the
colored people themselves in the ward,
and larceny cases, there has been no
outrage or crime cOmmittedin the ward.
With the exception of larceny, it is a
peaceable and law-abiding ward, and
the colored people in the. ward. except
those who live and deal with Heath, are
prosperous and happy and are making
money. Those who work wit h and deal
with Heath are in debt and do not seem
to prosper like those who have not had
dealings with him.
The above statement of Judge Bridg-
er except his conversation with eye
witnesses, which. they did not hearts
indorsed by other parish officials and
prominent citizens.
Judge Bridger's statement is accom-
panied by the following:
. COLUMBIA, Ia. April 20, 1880.
am Republican, and have been one since
the war. was born IN this parish in 1870; am
a lawyer; voted for General Grant twice, was
Parish Judge of Ouachita Parish, La, from
1870 to 1913 under the appointment of Govern
or WarnOth; became a resident of Caldwell
Parish in the month of September. 1873; set
tied in Columbia and know the place owned
by Mr.. Heath. There has been no more quiet
parish in politics than Caldwell; everything
for years past has been conducted on AMIGA
Bile principles SO far as politics is involved.
Every man in this parish can freely speak his
political sentiments without fear of molesta-
tion. No mans property is endangered on
account of his political feelings.
ROBEKT J. CALDWELL"