The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1888-05-04

A WOMAN BURNED TO DEATH.

between beaCn haven ana BerWlCk,
about twenty-five miles from Wilkesbarre
and just within the Luzerne county line,
has stood house which for some time
past has been occupied by three young
women, formerly Of Wilkesbarre. Their
names are Annie Nsgle, Kate Durkin and
Jennie Snyder. The two latter had two
lovers named Wesley Probst and Doc
Hess, young men Of Berwick. These were
at the house last week Thursday night.
Late in the evening Harry Myers and Bill
Bittler, also Of Berwick, and said to be
tough characters, called. About midnight
they were told to go home, but refused.
A fight ensued and there being five against
two, Meyers and Bittler were thrown bodily
from the premises. The doors were lock-
ed and the inmates then retired. Miss
Nagle occupied room on the second floor
of the building. The other four occupie
rooms down stairs. They had been asleep
but short time when the house was dis.
covered to be mass Of flames. 1t had
been set on fire from the outside.
Miss Durkin, Miss Snyder and the men,
Probst and Hess, barely escaped with thetr
lives, after having their hands, heads and
faces badly burned. Annie Nagle appear
ed at second story window for an instant,
and was then seen to fall backward in the
seething flames and was burned to q crisp
Not yestige Of the house was left.
Squire Holloway conducted the investi-
cation into the Beach Haven incendiary.
The house was occupied by Annie Nagle,
Jennie Snyder, Kate Durkin, "Doc" Hess
and Wesley Probst. The evidence showed
that about II O'Clock, while they were
playing game Of cards, Harry Meyers and
William Bittler came to the door and
knocked. They were told that they could
not come in' Meyers then drew revolver
and began firing through the keyhole into
the room. This frightened the people in
side; the door was opened sad Meyers
and Bittler walked in. Annie Nagle was
sleeping In her bed upstairs, while Kate
Durkin, Jennie Snyder, Hess and Probs,
were still engaged in a game OF cards at d
table in the sitting room. Upon entering
the room Meyers walked directly to the
table, his revolver in hand. and, picking
up card, fred two shots through it. Hess
and the others demonstrated, saying that
the upper room was occupied. and as the
bullets had gone through the ceiling,
there was danger of hurting the occupant.
"Who is up therep" demanded Meyers,
with the air Of cowboy.
annie Nagle," WAS the reply.
"All right, / will go and see where the
bullets went to-"
He stepped into an adjoining room,
struck match and deliberately set fire to
the apartment The building being old
and dry, the flames spread before the in.
mates were aware of what had been done
and soon the entire structure was sblsze.
The woman sleeping upstairs was arous-
ed as speedily as possible, hut she seemed
dazed, and after partially emerging, re-
turned 10 the chamber and perished. In
the effort To save her the other women and
their companions were burned about the
head, face and hands painfully, but not
seriously. Meyers escaped from the build
ing.
Hess testified that he saw Meyers strike
the match, but had no idea that he intend
ed 10 set fire 10 the house. Bittler testified
TO about the same facts. The verdict of
the jury was that Meyers was guilty Of the
crime.
Squire Holloway then issued warrant
for his arrest and placed 1t in the hands OF
Detective Holland. The officer traced bis
man TO Nescopeck, where he arrested him.
On being taken before the Squire he plead.
not guilty, and WAS taken to wilkesbarre
and lodged in jail.