New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-08-13
PLOT TO BURN A FACTORY.
TO MAKE A PROFIT IN A DULL SEASON.
A SHOE MANUFACTURER SELLING OUT HIS
STOCK AND HIRING INCENDIARIEs-oNE
OF THE coNsPIRAToRs DIsCLosEs
THE DESIGN.
IDr EIEGRArn TO THE TRIBUNE. !

Brideeton. n. j., Aug ia plot to burn shoe
factory and get the OF s1o5oo has Just been
discovered In Elmer. station on the West jersey hai'
road. twelve miles north OF Bridgcon. The principals
Enoch Garrison, and three brothers. George FRANK
and John Bacon Thcy all connected with the
Elmer shoe factory Garrison bcIn: the and tho
Bacons superlntendents OF late the factory has not
paid and Garrison has been heard repeatedly to say
alt would pay better II It would burn down.
The Bacons state that Garrison had several times
asked George Bacon II he could not get some ono to
burn the factory. They he gave George $40O In
cash Saturday a week ago. as the CONDENSATION for
burning the building. George took his brothers. John
and Frank into his secret and after consultation they
decided to do the work by hiring shemelcy, from
Philadelphia who stole $3.50 from the Elmer Shoe Com
pany some time ago. to do the burning for conidera-
ton OF 92CO. The work was to be donc on SATURDAY
night and II is said that Shcmee- came down and was
seen at Ptman Grove. ten miles north of Elmer. bv
John Bacon, who becam badl- scared, believing that
II 1t burned he would probably be arrested on
suspicion OF committing tho deed. He resolved to
disclose the plot In tlmc to stop the burning Ho
went TO the township collector William Johnson about
midnight on Saturday, and Johnson with two others
hastcncd TO the factory There they waited about an
hour. when two men drove up rapidly in buggy and
stopped at the factory. Johnson started up and
frightened the strangers. who drove of hurriedly.
Tho men wcrc not gnIzed. OWN. to the darkness
Dr. Charles Z. Hitchner and Judge Htchner. his
brother, had mortgage on the factory, and they,
with n few other leading business men, mot on Mon
day TO investigate tho matter. They appointed a
committee to tel Garrison how matters stood and learn
his version of the affair. lie promised to prosecute
the persons who circulated such reports. No arrests
were made and Friday morning IT began TO be
whispered around that he had run away. His creditors
began TO get attachments and In some way made
themselves safe. He owes largo amount OF money
in different places.
Tho Bacons admitted receiving money from CARR
son, but now say that they did so intending TO
blaclmai Garrison for by telling him that they
would inform on him and that they eventually would
get possession OF GaTison's factory, which they
have coveted for long time. John Bacon, one OF
these brothers, served term IN tho State prison
about eight years ago for robbery. He has fed to
Pennsylvania George Bacon disappeared few days
ago and Is said 10 be I'm New-York. Garrison was a
large and powerful man and until q few months
ago was in tho agricultural implement and phosphate
/ business, where he made considerable money lie
was q prominent politician. Il IS now learned by
persons who gGvo him money 10 be deposited IN
ago Garrison sent TO the sictc prison by the
Cumberland National Bank of this city for forgery Of
three checks. bn Il was thought that hr had reformed
and the matter had tccn charitahy forgotten by his
ncighbol George Bacon IS justice Of th' peace and
| Garrison is constable and both have families.
The building and machinery when fist erected cost
| $1,000, but soon after sold at forced sale for
~ 800 TO Garrison On this property Garrison held
insurance for $i0,5oo. Ills stock of shoes as sold