Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1882-02-02
New Series-Vol. %. No. 4

landlady in his room calling him. He
jumped up very much excited, and She
told him the mill was on fire. He was
so much excited that in dressing he got
the wrong boot on the wrong foot. The
insurance amounted to SI9,7O0, in four
teen different companies. He gave as
a reason for putting it in so many COM
panies that if they had small amount
in each they would not investigate the
fire as closely, because the amount was
so small that it would not pay to bother
about it. When twitted with being a
sly one he replied: "Well, you bet we
know how to take insurance; we take
$1,000 week, and do not create apy
suspicion"
These meetings were held nightly or
more than one night was never missed
ut time. The conversation was not al
ways relating to the destruction of the
mill, however, for the old gentleman ap-
peared to really like the woman whom
he was making his cOnlidant and the
silent watchers were now and then
treated to love-making scene, which
to say the least varied the monotony of
the affair. Frequently when he came
in, in the evening, he would bring a
package of candy, and while discussing
the delicacies he would relate to her the
process of the clearing out sale of the
damaged goods or deliver a brief history
of his life in Wheeling, where he lived
before coming to Toledo. Little by lit
tie, the detective says, was got out of
him until Monday night laGt, when the
Crisis was reached, and he gave I'D
an fsNf ffnll lxr
made. 1t is said that he admitted that
the burning of the mill was planned and
executed by himself and Ferguson. He
made the confession to the woman. and
as soon as he had given it up he fell on
his knees at her feet and cried like a
child. He remained in that position a
moment and then rising to his feet be-
gan pacing the floor and said he wished
he was dead. He was very much excited
and once walked up to the partition and
pulled small crumb OF plaster from a
place scarcely four inches from the de-
tective'S nose, he crossed the floor again
and as he returned ne pushed his finger
into hole through which another wit
ness was listening and nearly touched
the latter's eIrs. He carried on in this
manner for some time when he finally
became quieter and then begged her
never to tell word of what passed be-
tween them. 1t was agreed then as soon
as the insurance money was paid over
the pair would leave the city for some
place where neither had acquaintances
and live in peace and plenty.
Although the detective thought sufi-
cisntly strong evidence had been pro-
naf hn
make the arrest for several days, be-
lieying that he would not attempt to
leave the city before getting his insur-
ance. Thursday night. however, his ac-
tlons being suspicious, he was placed
under arrest. Detective Bulger was
called into the case, and Watkins was
arrested about 8 o'clock. He took the
arrest as coolly as though it had been an
invitation to tea and when Informed of
the charge pretended entire ignorance
of the affair. He was taken to the rooms
yesterday morning and shown the "lay
of the ground" and how he had been
worked, but the only expression that
could be got out of him was Il know
nothing about it"
Yesterday after being imprisoned he
sent word to his partner, Mr.. Ferguson,
to come and see him, but the latter re-
turned word that he had no time. In
short time afterwards he was also az
rested on similar charge of arson pre-
ferred by Detective MeMahan.
Judge Lorenz has fixed the bail on
Ferguson and Watkins at $1,000 each.
and an effort is being made to secure it.
but as yet without success. Both of the
men are at present locked up at the Cen
tral Police Station.
1t is supposed that the object in set
ting fire to the mill was to get the insu-
rance, which, however, has not vet been
paid. The amount of damages decided
upon by the adjuSters was over $4,000.