Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1882-11-04
THE FIREBUG SQUEALS.
HRIM M EK's SWEEPING CUNFEssION

A"A AAeAOON " ny A4AA1O
RaIm m Ek's swEEPInG CUNFEssIOS
The Incendiary Turns States Evidence sne
duplicates His Compsnions.-some
startling Revelstions-F1ve
Arrests Made
The ruling excitement Of the town to
day iE caused by the arrest of several per
sons charged with the incendiarism with
which our town was troubled some months
ago. The leading facts are as follows:
After George Brimmer had been found
guilty OF setting fire TO Ranck's barn
aud had been returned to his cell in
the county prison last evening, hs
sent for Frederick Miller, one OF
the watchnen at tho prison and made {:
written statement to him, charging Jo!; i
Drachbar, Lewis Reidenbach and Jo d,
Daily with setting fire to Chs. ]. VII s
house, on Church street near the .:ri
can engine house that George ]. al set
fire to his own stable that Henry ..nyder
attempted to fire Mrs. kel!ey's liable on
Sbippcn street, but that it would not
burn that John Wertz set fire to tine
cork factory and Hikes tobacco ware
house that John Draclrbar set fire TO the
sash factory, cork factory and VIM.
Isote's stable that Harry Snyder set fire
to J. Il. kauffman's stable rear Of knapps.
Brimmer appended his name to his
statement, which is not we'll written, and
handed it TO Fred Miller. Miller Jcok it
at once to Brimmer's counsel, }. w. j.,hn-
son, esq, and Mr.. johnson direct =. him
to give the information TO J. HAY crown,
esq, of counsel iOr the common wealth.
Miller called at Browns Office md told
IL, T,l,ncn,, vyon fad IN o1o hin, lcnvrv,
who was engaged at the time, replied that
he could not 20, whereupon Miller told
him that Brimmer had made a full con-
lesion AID given the names Of his accom-
l.l,rus, designating the fires in which they
were implicated. Mr.. Brown 1T once
81 at Miller to the mayor with request
tor au interview. Between z and 8
O'Clock last evening they met at Browns
Office and after i brief conference between
the mayor, Mr.. Brown and some Of the
prosecutors it was determined to have
warrants issued for the arrest of all tho
accused.
After tho interview with Mr.. Brown,
tho mayor directed the chief Of police to
make complaint against all the accused.
This was done, and Alderman McConomy
issued warrants for their arrest, placing
them in the hands of twelve or fifteen Of
the city policemen.
Harry Snyder was the first of the gang
arrested. IIe was taken into custody by
DR.. Fitzpatrick and Chief Dechlrr, in
Martin Urich's saloon, in tho basement Of
the law building, corner Of Duko and
Grant streets. lie resisted arres: for Il
time, because the officer had no warrant,
but finally went to the station house md
was locked up. lie has long been sus-
pected of Of being one Of tho gang of fire
bugs.
John Daily Was arrested soon afterwards
on North Queen street, by Officer Storm
ieitZ, and locked up.
Ge1Ige Bair was arrested last night by
Officers S~enk aud Stormfeltz at the
American engine hoIse and locked up.
Officers Allen Pyle aud Coyle, knowing
that John Wertz was working at Parkes-
burg, Chester county, took the cars fer
that place last night, and this mOrnin. az
rested him as he was about goiug to work.
lie was brought back to Lancaster and
locked up.
John Staley, younG brick layer Of this
city was arrested shortly before noon to-
day. lilo is charged with having fired
Heitshue's stable on North Christian street
ON the Goth of April, 1881. lie has bsen
suspected for some time of being the
guilty party and Brimmer declares that he
il.
John Draclibar was seen near the court
house about ;he time Of Snyder's arrest
but, through tho indscretion Of some per-
sons who spread tho news Of Brimmer's
confession, duplicating him and others of
the gang, ho took to his heels and fled,
and has thus far eiuGed arrest.
This morning Brimmer made III addi-
tiOnal statement to Alderman Barr, in
which he duplicates two other men. He
charges Christ SwartZ with being impli-
Gated in the burning of MacGonigle's barn
ON Middle street, and Charles Miller with
burning the Bender stable on John street.
Miller is now under bail for court on the
charge of burning tho house of Charles J.
White.
Gone to MlddletOwD.
Chief Howell, of the fire department.,
went this morning to MiddletOwn to arrest
Charles Miller who is charged with setting
fire to Mayor Mac(1onigle's barn on East
Marion street. He is expected to return
with the prisoner this afternoon.
To parties who interviewed Brimmer
this morning he told substantially the same
story that no told to Fred Miller last even
ing.
On being brought into court this morn
ing Brimmer pleaded guilty to the charge
Of burning tho poorhouse barn.
.yOo' Hinder ae l.ibertv