The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1886-10-02
1ncendiary rire-confession of the 1ncenaiary.

Between II and o'clock Sunday morning
three stacks of hay on the farm of ex-Dele-
gate James II. Rooms, near Middleburg.
were burned The stacks each contained
about three tons of hay. They were located
some distance from the barn and dwelling,
but had not the neighbors come to Mr..
Rooms assistance, the fire would have COM
municated to the grass and hay and no doubt
would have spread to the barn and other
stacks and to his dwelling.
Being satisfied that the fire was of incen-
diary origin, Mr.. Rooms came to Westminster
on Monday and communicated his suspicious
to Deputy Sheriff Zeiber. Mr.. Zeiber went
to Middleburg on Tuesday and began to look
up the matter.
From. W. H Grouse at Middleburg he
learned that Henry Staley, young man
working at Henry Menges' Mill, some two
miles off, came to his hotel about s O'Clock,
somewhat in furry, and told him and
another gentleman, Mr.. Williams, that there
was a FIRE on the Taneytown road. They
looked out, but saw no blaze. He learned, also,
that Staley left shortly after, and returned
about IL o'clock and stayed about twenty
minutes, leaving in company with Marshall
Clabaugh. He gathered some other informa-
ton as to the shoes he wore and his dress,
and then went to Menges' Mill to see Staley.
Staley was at work, and Mr.. Zeiber began
asking him some questions about what time
he had supper on Saturday night, where he
went, as to how he was dressed, DC. Staley
answered few, then clustered up and asked
Mr.. Zeiber what he meant by asking such
questions. Mr.. Zeiber was not scared, but
told Staley that he proposed to interrogate
him about his doings on Saturday night, and
he wanted him to answer Then In reply to
questions, Staley said he ate supper about 8
o'clock, went to Middleburg, was at Crouse's
and left about half past ten clock with Mar
shall Clabaugh and vert straight home, and
got home at half past ten. Seeing there was
some mistake as to the hours of departing
from Crouse's and arriving at home, Mr..
Zeiber questioned him little closer. Staley
then, in reply to further quessttlons' sald tna5
in going by Mr.. Rooms he lit cigar, and
threw the match down and said it might have
set fire to the stacks. Afterwards he said he
was on the big bridge, and looking back saw
the fire and went back to put it out, but could
not do it. He then ran away, without telling
Mr.. Rooms about the fire. Mr.. Rooms was
at the mill Tuesday morning, but Staley said
he did not say anything about the lire to him,
because he was afraid Mr. Rooms might ac-
cuse him of starting it. 80.
Staey's statements, in some parts OF ms
narrative of his doings on Saturday night did
not accord with facts in Mr.. Zelbers posses
sion, and he was fully convinced that Staley
was the guilty party. The stack stood some
distance from the road, and match could
not have been carelessly or otherwise been
thrown to them. 1t is quite likely he tried to
fire the stacks on his way to Middleburg, from
his remarks to Messrs. Grouse and Williams
about the fire on the Taneytown road.
Being certain of his man, Mr.. Zeiber pre-
tended to Staley that the fire was purely ac-
cidental, and then went after Mr.. Rooms to
swear out warrant, first telling Mr.. Menges
not to let Staley get away. After procuring
the warrant he went back to the mill but
Staley had escaped. Mr.. Menges wanted to
hold him, but Staley drew revolver and got
off. Mr. Zeiber started in pursuit, and got
glimpse of him as he crossed the breast OF
the mill dam. Into the water Mr.. Zelber
went after him, but Staley got over and into
a big swamp or jungle, and although Mr.
Zeiber hunted long, Staley could not be
found.
Staley's home is at Kingsdale, Adams
county, Pa. He had been at Menges' Mill
about eight months, and is about twenty-four
years of age. Mr.. Zeiber took look for his
man on Thursday and got pretty close. to
him. Officers in Pennsylvania are now after
him, and his capture may be expected at any
time.