Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-12-03
THE CAUSE OF IT.

On the nlgnt OF November Z2 John Nermllllon.
who lived near Halls station, Baltimore and
Potomac road, and who was well known to the
court officials of Prince Georges county. was
forcibly taken from his home and tied TO a
tree. The unknown visitors then removed his
furniture and set fire to his log cabin Fearing
bodily harm the man promised to leave the
vicinity Immediately, whereupon he was re-
leased and left for parts unknown. He had
several sons. A number Of young men living
near Halls and Covington were arrested on
November 23 and tried before Justice RYAN,
who ordered them released. On Monday,
November rs, considerable excitement prevailed
near Mulliken's station, on the Baltimore and
Potomac road. because of the burning of two
large barns and a tenement house, which were
fired by incendiaries The Saturday night be-
fore, almost at the same hour, buildings were
seen burning in different parts Of Queen Anne g
district. Thomas Black, who lived near Multi
ken's station, suffered the greatest loss. In his
barn were stored 10, 900 pounds Of tobacco, and
his entire crop of hay and fodder. About 9
o'clock this building lay in ashes. At 9:25 a
barn on the farm of Gen. Horn, tenanted by
Walter Ryan, the magistrate who acquitted the
young men brought before him for assaulting
Vermilion, which contained this years crop,
together with farming implements, was seen to
be on fire. Though every assistance was rem
dered, it soon suceumbed to the flames. A
small unoccupied house belonging to James
Hamilton was also burned.
WHOLE FAMILY ARRESTED
On the theory that the buildings were set on
fire out Of revenge for his decisions and for the
treatment of John yermillion it was determined
to arrest the whole family of Vermillions.
A tramp, giving his name as William Wright,
was also arrested as an accomplice. When
arrested he had in his possession a seven-shooter
and threatened any one approaching him.
He denied any knowledge OF the burning and
said he was at the residence Of ex-Gov. Bowie
when the affair happened. The yermillion
family have taken up their residence near Ben
nings station and constables have been sent
there to arrest the father and third brother
Much indignation is expressed here, both as to
the burning OF the Vermillion property and the
supposed incendiarism of Saturday night.
Accordingly constables from Upper Marlboro
went to the home of the yermiliions and ar
rested Edward. John, ir., George, Lloyd and
Joseph Vermillion, all grown men and the
fathers of large families. Charles Bell, q
brother-in-law of the Vermillions, was also
six prisoners at the point of revolvers after
they had been ordered to throw up their hands.
Joe Vermillion was particularly ugly in his be-
havior. Before he would consent TO accompany
the officers he had to be roughly handled. He
was an escaped prisoner from the house Of cor
rection, who was wanted by the superintendent
of that institution to serve a remaining eigh-
teen months sentence
JOE MADE ALL THE TROUBLE.
John Vermillion, jr., told the officers that his
brother Joe was the cause Of the trouble. John
said that on Saturday night, November 23,
about $50 o'clock Joseph, who had been liv-
ing in the woods, came to his house and
threatened to get even with those who would
not give his father justice in the affair of the
night before friday when the elder Vermil-
lions house was burned by band Of men, who
tied him to tree and only released
him on his promise to leave the neigh
borhood. Both the father, who was
in Johns house, and John him
the threat, whereupon he left. About ii so
Joe returned to the house and asked to be ad-
mitted carrying in his hand q coal oil can.
He told John that he had q little FIRE of his
own. He Immediately left and nothing was
known OF bis whereabouts until he was ar
rested. Bell, the son-in-law, was charged with
burning his own house, which he rented from
James Hamilton. He denied the charge and
said Joe did 1t after leaving the barns. Many
thought that Joe would never reach the jail
alive, as the excitement prevailing at and
violence were entertained. John yermillion,
sr., aged seventy-three years, the father Of the
men arrested, was not arrested.
TESTIMONY AGAINST JOE
At q preliminary hearing before Justice Har-
ris, Mr.. R E. Bandit, states attorney, being
present, John yermillion, IT,, testified a. to the
burning Of his fathers house near Halls station.
Lloyd Vermiiion testified that he saw his
brother Joe on Saturday afternoon about 4
o'clock with . coal-oi1 can. Joe stated
he was going to burn out Mr.. J.
T. Clark that night az he had
burned one of his houses some two years ago.
Messrs. ]. T. Clark and Walter Ryan testified
that they were aroused by the cry Of fire and
stated the amount of their loss by the burning
Of their barns Saturday night. Joe vermillion
pleaded not guilty and said he was not in the
county at the time. He was sent TO fail TO
await the action Of the grand jury and imme-
GERS.
A. there was no evidence 70 implicase any
one else the charge Of arson against the other
Vermillions was dismissed, but thirteen citisens
OF Muihkens neighborhood swore ont peace
warrants against each of the other Vermiiiion
boys, and they we're placed in jail in default Of
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