Press and daily Dakotaian. (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1880-1889, 1883-12-01

pl6iut0 * olOot tue manner III winch the
exchange was conducted. This letter
was shown to him as the reason
for the action of bis superiors, aud
threats subsequently made by him in
regard thereto were among the incidents
that led to the spotting of HIM and his
brother. Capt. Wiley. being member
Of the city council. further brought upon
himself the emnity OF the McCarrier
boys by his action in regard to the cut.
ting Of the telephone poles and wires
from Phillips avenue. The night of the
fire both boys we're present at the lecture
delivered at the Catholic church by Vicar
General Willard, and it was observed
that Peter lett suddenly and that after
the lecture Peter exhibited great haste
in getting down town, going immedi-
ately to the Commercial hotel. After be
left the Commercial, during converse
tion regarding the telephone cutting, be
was Leard to swear that he would be even
with the city council yet for this The
conduct of both the boys during tho fire
was narrowly watched by Officer Nc.
Loud, who was also acquainted at the
time with the facts detailed above. There
were many incidents which need not be
detailed here, but the drift OF all
of them tended to fasten in the
mind of the officer the conviction that
the fire had been set as suspected. The
next day an investigation commenced
which has been kept up steadily ever
since. tho chain growing stronger con.
tinuslly. but lacking that one particular
link. so essentially necessary in a judi
cial investigation, for actually binding
the suspected parties tight up with the
crime. This was finally supplied yes.
terday afternoon. by Officer McLoud
securing from a witness who will be in
trodaced at the investigation, the def
mite and unequivocal statement that he
saw John T. McCarrier and Peter Nc
Carrier leaving the spot at which the fire
wss set, and Just at the moment when
they could be certain that the flames had
actually started upon their hellish mis-
sion. He confronted them as they came
from the location of the fire, which was
exactly at the point as stated by the
Press in its original report-just under
the stairs in the rear OF the harness
shop-from which they had not removed
twenty feet, and they then passed out
upon PHILIPPE avenue, going between
Seeley's saloon and the Cochran build
ing. After securing this positive evi.
dence. Officer Mel nd reported to his
chief, Marshal Jeffers, ut one o'clock in
the afternoon, and they had City Attor-
ney Frizzell draw up complaint, which
was sworn to BY Marshal Jeffers, before
Justice Hawkins, who issued his warrant
for arrest of the parties. During the
evening the boys INDUCED in the festivi.
ties of the Catholic fair in progress al
Germania hall. Peter left for down town
about ten O'Clock for some refreshments
and when between Peck and Campbell'l
livery stable and the Cataract house h,
was hailed by the officers ant
arrested. He inquired what tn
arrest was for, and upon being in
formed that he was charged with setting
the fire which burned the Commercial
house be exclaimed, "My God, Mack
when did you find it outw Search wa
then made for John, who had also in tn
meantime left the hall, and in about hal
an hour he was found at the mint, ant
taken under arrest. When taken, he ex
pressed great desire to see Capt. Viii
ley, and was more self-possessed than hi
brother had been-seeming. however, t,
have forgotten the time at which the fir
occurred, and inquirinR if it didn't hap
pen on Sunday night sometim
ago. The prisoners we're taken to jail
and will have their examination betor
Justice Hawkins sometime to-day.
The incidents related above are, Q
course. only one side of the story-tha
of the prosecution-and they may be il
some particulars explained or modife
by the examination; but it must be ad
mitted that they are about as conclusiv
as circumstantlsl evidence can be expec,
ed to be, and the exclamation OF Pete
at the time of his arrest is something a
most of the nature of positive testimon,