The Portland daily press., 1886-09-30
THE HARMONY MYSTERY.
a Young Man Arrested on Suspicion
of Setting Fires.
Insurance Comp anies to Make a
Thorough Investigation.

SKoWHEGAN, Sept 29.-Albert Hurd Of
Harmony, young man whose brother was
sent to the Reform School some four years
ago for burning buildings on the town farm
of Harmony was arrested today on suspic-
ion and was having preliminary exam1na-
tion at Harmony this afternoon. Several
representatives of the fire insurance COM
panies that had risks on the buildings
burned go to Harmony from Skowhegan
tomorrow morning, proposing to make
thorough investigation. Detectives and
local officers are working vigorously to find
the culprits or causes of the fires. No indi-
cations of incendiarism have been reported
since Sunday.
Detective True of Portland and one of his
men are here. They have visited the suffer-
ers and obtained from them all the points
they can and are trying to find some clue to
the mystery. 1t is quite clear that all the
fires have not been set by one person. Two
fires four miles away have been started at
once. 1t is believed that the incendiaries
have desired to avoid loss of life for the
reason that all the fires have been started IN
the day time. 1t is a singular fact that In
nearly all cases the northwest corner of the
barn has been selected as the starting point
of the fire. Several witnesses have seen
men going into barns, but were so far off
that they probably could not recognize them.
One gentleman, whose barn was burned,
says he heard an explosion before he saw
the flame. A Mrs. Brown saw man skulk
along the field of a neighbor, Mr.. Booker,
and enter his barn. Hurrying as fast as she
could. she dashed into the house and in
formed the occupants that their barn was
probably on fire, although she did not stop
to see whether it was or not They laughed
at her, but went into the barn and found the
hay NOW ablaze.
The last hint given the detectives is fur
nished by gentleman who says he heard
culprit sentenced for some stealing opera
ton here threaten to make it hot for Har-
mony' as soon as he should be released.
Every able-bodied man in Harmony is
worn out with watching, and unless relief in
some form comesssoon, some Of them will so
crazy. Every night for a week has seen
vigil kept in every house in Harmony. In
many instances farmer on lonely road
has only his wife to share his watch with
him night and day. When he lies down to
take his brief turn at rest ng, his anxiety IS
so great that he cannot sleep, The strain is
telling on them.
The people are in a pitiable condition and
need relief The citizens of the surrounding
towns do not dare to come here to do guard
duty. as they fear lest their wn.homes may
be burned in their absence. Ii an end does
not speedily come to the terrorism, the State
authorities should send assistance to the tired
out people of Harmony. Should any more
cases of incendiarism occur, tie town would
be perfectly wild, and call on the governor
for a detachment of militia to guard the town
would be made by the selectmen.
The rain was right gladly welcomed. Many
| an occupant of lovely home was seduced
| by the drops into taking his first nap for
| week. There have been no fires since Sun
| day. This makes the people breathe easier.
| A temporary furry was created on Tuesday
| by man burning out his chimney, and gave
rise to a report that another barn had been
| burned.
There is not the least doubt that if man
| were now caught in the act of firing build
| ing he would either be shot on the spot or
| hung to tree.
1t will take many years to repair the loss
| to the town. The destroyed buildings form
| only part of it. Potatoes have been left to
| rot in the ground. stock has been left out in
the rain, business of all kinds has been sus-
| pended the town government has been put
| to considerable expense and its prosperity
| greatly impeded. These people feel blue.
| One citizen, said to be worth $4,000, had all
his goods except the bed he slept on, piled
on his front piazza, opposite the hotel. Most
of the households in town were thus turned
| inside out.