The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1890-10-23
THE WORK OF FIENDS.
Work of Fire Bugs-Trouble and
Threats that were Made.

Threats that were Made.
Berryville five miles south of this city,
has become famous on account of the
large crop of strawberries raised there ev-
cry season. The farmers are very peaca-
bic and hard working but there has been
trouble among the tillerS of the soil and a
gang of Chicago toughs. Several months
ago Chicago contractor appeared at Ber-
rYville and contracted with several of the
farmers for large quantities of gravel, on
their land and which was shipped to Chi
cago. The farmers became aware that
certain contracts made and signed by them
were worthless and refused to let them
have more gravel There was rough
gang of men working for this contractor
and often they tore down fences and at
tempted to remove the gravel by force,
but were driven away by force. The gang
Swore revenge and after that various dep
relations were committed. A fence was
torn down and man named Potter was
arrested and sent to KenOSha jail for the
Offense. After he got out school house
was broken into several farm houses rob
bed and the postoffice burglarized. Pot
ter was arrested for the latter crime The
evidence was not strong enough to con-
vict him and he was released and shortly
after fled the country leaving creditors.
1t transpired that young Siegler, son of
a contractor, had ruined the daughter of
farmer, under promise of marriage and
then proposed to desert her. A warrant
was issued for his arrest, but he got away.
One night he returned to BerryVille and
and effort was made to capture him, but
after an exciting chase he escaped and it
was afterward learned that the man Pot
ter had driven him to KenOsha with a
team of horses and from there he took a
train for Chicago. The farmer had many
friends and they were not backward in
advising him in his trouble and a suit was
commenced against Siegler for damages
Things went along quietly after this,
but the farmers had not forgotten the
threats of the gravel gang. Among the
farmers who gained the enmity of the
gang was Mr.. A. Bradley. A few weeks
ago his barn was fired and burned to the
ground. involving loss of several thous-
and dollars. 1t was supposed that tramps
did the work, but the farmers thought
different
This morning three more barns within
a radius of one mile from Berryville were
fired and totally destroyed, with farm ma
chinery, hay, grain, tools, ten head Of
horses and eleven head of cattle.
1t was l o'clock when the first barn was
discovered in flames and almost simultan-
eously the two others were in flames
The owners were Fred Kruger, who
loses nine head of cattel, four horses, hay
and gram. August Piper, two span Of
horses, farm machinery, hay, grain, etc.
William Hanche, Jr, two team of horses,
two COWS. OF course the barns were well
filled with farm tools, ETC., and the total
loss of the three farmers is estimated at
between S., 900 and $4,000 There is
partial insurance in the Town Insurance
Companies.
AS the owners Of the property were in
bed and asleep they were not aroused UNI
til after the buildings were in flames and
all they could do was to see their proper
to go and the poor dumb animals roast
alive
A large number of farmers turned out
in the vicinity of each barn, which were
at least half mile apart, and did good
work in saving adjoining property.
AS there was no fire in or about either
barn and all burned about the same time,
it leaves no doubt but that it was the
work of incendiaries, and the motive could
have been for no other reason than re-
venge
A daughter of Mr.. Kruger, who re-
turned home about midnight, saw three
men lurking about the premises and four
characters were seen to take
the train at Kenosha for Chicago, at $3.50
this morning A telegram was sent to
Chicago to arrest these men but they were
not captured.
The farmers are highly excited over the
fendish outrages and could they but
catch the guilty wretches there would be
work for the coroner.
There is no denying that the farmers
suspect the gravel gang of having fired
the barns and Will sift the matter to the
bottom and compel certain parties to give
an account of themselves.
A daughter of Mr. Kruger, who was
sick with fever, was badly frightened and
is in critical condition as a result.
cine Daily Journal
The following are the names Of the pu-
pills of District No /, Bristol, who have