The morning call., 1892-07-27
MAGGIE, TEE FIREBUG.
The Girl Incendiary Sent to the
Whittier Reform School.
She Probably Inherited Pyromania From Her
Father, Who Is Also Suspected of
Arson-sad Scene in Court.

Maggie Cummings, the pretty little girl
who was arrested Monday tor starting no
less than 10 incendiGry fires. will serve
three years impr risonment in the Whittier
Reform School. Considerable sympathy is
expressed for the i5-year-old maiden, be-
cause it is generally believed that her pyIo-
mania is hereditary.
Bright and early yesterday morning Mag
gie's mother and sister went to the City
Prison and waited patiently until the case
was called in court. Soon after Depart
ment of the Police Court opened Fire
Marshal Towe appeared and swore 10
complaint charging Maggie with arson in
having set fire TO the dwelling Of Mrs. Davis,
at II Hollis street, on June 16. The girl
cried piteOusly when her case was called,
and pleaded that she would never do any
thing wrong again. Her mother and sis
ter joined in her entreaties for mercy. 1t
was urged that her mental condition was
due to her delicate health.
EJNdge JOachmSen was ineXorable, and
said if the girls mania was hereditary IL
would be dangerous for her 10 be at large.
With her mania she was criminal menace
TO the lives and property of her neighboTs.
ana size should be confined in some reform.
atory Institution.
Three years in Whittier"
Tie words had scarcely dropped from
Judge JoachimSeu's lips before poor Mag
gle fell falntlng and her mother uttered
wild sob Of despair.
MAGGIE's SISTER FRANTIC.
Then the sister became frantic and rush
ing forward tried to embrace mother and
sister az the same time.
1t was a sad scene, but soon interrupted
by the officers of the court in their efforts to
restore order. When Mrs. Cummings re-
tired from the courtroom she saiC uDpleas-
ant things about the Fire Marshal and ac-
cuSed him of having sent her innocent child
to Jail. The girl will be- started on the
journey TO the refOrmatOTy to-day.
There Is some evidence in support OF the
theory that Maggie set fire 10 the Hollis
street flats and her own home because she
not only has an uncomfortable desire 10 see
flame and smoke, but Is also a victim OF an
hereditary disposition TO apply the torch.
When Fire Marshal Towe wen. TO her home
at Market street and Reservoir avenue last
Saturday ne encountered her father, RGdger
Cummings. The head of the family crawled
out of bed and went to tie door with a can
OF blazing ceal oil in enc hand and a cary
ing-kBife In the other a TOwe entered
Cummings shouted: whenever saw you,
Father BraDnan said, must place this fire
In front Of you. Get out of mere"
T0we discreely retreated, but not before
leaving word foI Maggie 20 call nj his cffice
in the new City Hall. Wien she went there
Monday she broke down and made the con-
lesson published IN The CALL yesterday.
MAGGIE's FATHER.
Cummings is cons dered a man Of the
most erratlc disposition. Over three months
ago several mysterious fires occurred in the
vicinity OF his residence and he was sus.
! pected at the time OF having started them.
On the night of March 80 men who were
| sleeping in a house at Fifteenth and Ian
| ders streets, rented by Contractor Buckm an
/ from Cummings, were awakened by cries
| OF fire. They easily escaped from the burn
/ ing structure and after subGuing the flames
| discovered that an incendiary had poured
| coal oil around the entrance. A few min
| utes later another FIRE broke out IN Buck
mans barn on Fourteenth street. Coal oil
! was also used in starting this FIRE.
The men then went TO inform Cummings
OF the first fire and were greatly surprised
/ by seeing flames Climbing up the front of
/ his abode When these flames "ere put
Que !1e men fou0' CuD minaS &i4f2g ~ d IN
adjoining she'd. During a controversy with
several policemen, who had arrived he
struck Special Hutchings and knocked him
down. For this he was arrested for bat
terry. Cummings Was not publicly accused
Of arson because there was no direct
evidence against him. Maggie strenuously
denies having started these three fires, and
her father is still under suspicion. At times
Cummings is very violent, and on one
occasion is said to nave broken bis wife's
arm While beating her