New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-03-01
FLORENCE BIRCH ARRESTED AGAIN.
HER LATEST CONFESSION GETS HER INTO
TRouBLE-QUEER CASE OF THE
ISJJp NIIJJNFR

Miss FloHnce Birch, OF Islp, L. l.. has bccn again
arrested Mss Birch first became known TO the public
by tie published accounts Of the several attempts
TO burn out hcr millinery store She accused an enemy
of starting the fires. Then followed anonymous letters
10 young men Of the village besmrching her char
actor. She also charged this TO her enemy Then
she left town. There all insurance OF 500
on her stock OF millinery. committee OF three
prominent residents OF Isp was appointed 10 inves
gate the case. They I'D So and asccrtaned. as they
believed. that Miss Birch really the culprt she
was arrested by Detective Newcomb. who obtained RON
her written confession Of the whole afair' attempted
arson letters and all. When Miss Birch was tried
before Justice Clock at Islp Newcumb failed TO appear
and she denied the charge Of arson and denied having
made a confession. without Newc0mb's testimony
she could not be convicted, and Justice CLOCK the
next day discharged her. Miss Birch was believed
TO be insane and sympathlzing friends raised 300
to pay her lawyers. They also advised her PARENTS
TO lock her up in asylum for tme
Before this could be done Miss Birch set the Whole
village by the ears by coming out with another con-
fesson I'm which she said that she reilly did set IRE
10 her store after all and that her alleged lover VIII
lam Watson, salesman employed by Sullivan Drew
a. Co., No. 800 Broadway, New-iork, who lives at
Freeport, assisted her in doing so. A warrant was
issued for watsons arrest and he surrendered himself
Watson went before Justice Clock and made a sworn
statement denying positively any connection with tbs
arson case. lie also invited Miss Birch TO tell her
story before his face Then Watson gave bonds for
$500 aud returned to FreepOr
The three members Of the town committee made
I'D their minds that this their opportunity. SO
they got together late Friday evening without the
knowledge of the town folk and had a talk. They
decided that they had good case against Miss Bircb
for perjury at her trial. when she denied having com
mtted the arson and also denied having made the
confession. 1t was decided to bring the case before
Justice Waller, of Bay Shore, which is In lshp Town
ship Jusuos Waller Is cx-poucc captain
Of New-York He is held in awe by wrongdocrs on
account of the severity Of his sentences. The com
mittee then got warrant 10 arrest MISS Birch. IL
was served at midnight. Deputy Sheriff Rowland
read the warrant the sleepy and startled young
woman, and for the second time installed himself IN
the house as Miss Brch's custodian
Yesterday morning at 10 O'Clock Miss Birch was
taken before Justice Waller She was apparently
much downhcarted There surprise in store for
her in Justice Walters court. AS she entered the
courtroom she saw Detective Newcomb, from New
York. In his hand her written confession signed
by herself. As she saw this missing witness ard
tile document he had she broke down completely aud
cried bitterly 1t was some time before she cOulc
compose herself Justice Waller held Miss Birch fot
examination next Tuesday. she was then taken back
before the Deputy Sheriff left tie courtroom with
his prisoner Justice Waller said 20 him charge you
not 20 permit the prisoner TO hold any conversation
with any person beside her counsel regarding tls
case nor to talk 10 her about IL yourself III you dis
obey me will punish you for contempt Of court"
sure TO be present In court next Tuesday with tie
confession and not 10 miss the train this time"