The record-union., 1892-11-02
Was IT NCENDIARINM
Mysterious Burning of the Carson
District School.
Ugly Rumors are Afioat-An Inharmo-
nIous Board of Trustees-Mixed
state of Affairs.

There is big sensation in the Carson
Creek School District, few miles south
of Folsom, and it is expected that there
will be some startling developments-in-
Guiding possibly an arrest on a charge of
arson-in the course of a few days.
The district school has been for several
months under the guidance of three
Trustees, vino were appointed by Super
intendent Howard TO hold office until the
next school election in that district.
These Trustees are Messrs. Quinn and
Oakley and Mrs. Woodward. Some time
ago, so the story goes. Trustees Quinn
and Woodward got together and elected
teacher tor the school-a Miss McDerby.
The school year closed on June 3Oth last,
and reopened last Monday. Since the
close Trustees Quinn and Oakley had
A LITTLE MEETING OF. THEIR OWN
And elected as teacher Trustee Oakley's
daughter. Mr.. Quinn had made the ma
jority in each meeting and now the dis
trict had two teachers. This condition Of
affairs caused much comment among the
residents of that locality and in week
the whole district was in serious tur-
moiI. The people took sides in the mat
ter and there were warm debates and
threats of trouble from both quarters.
But this was not all it amounted to, by
any means.
As was before stated, school was to
open on Monday of this week. Miss
Oakley was instructed to appear that
morning and take charge of the pupils.
The young lady prepared to do so, but
upon reaching the schoolhouse slte-lo
and behold, nothing was LEFT but the
charred and smoking remains OF what
was once the neat little temple of learn
ing!
What did it mean?
Well, that's what everybody wanted to
know. But it is said that there are some
ugly rumors at1oat, some Of which are to
the effect that the fire was not case OF
accident or spontaneous combustion, but,
on the contrary, was the work of an in
cendiary. But what satisfaction there
could be in burning such an indispen-
sable structure is what puzzles the good
people of the district.
CONSIDERABLE SCANDAL.
Superintendent Howard, when seen by
a RECORD-UNIoN reporter about the mat
ter yesterday, said he considered the at
fair very unfortunate one. 1t would
involve considerable scandal, but he said
everything would be done to solve the
mystery and ascertain whether or not
the rumors of arson were true. Misses
McDerby and Oakley, he said, felt
very embarrassed over the conultlon
of affairs, as they have been un-
willingly made the brunt of all
the trouble. They are both estimable
young ladies, are warm friends, and
greatly regret the turmoil they have in
nocently been brought into. Mr.. How
ard says that the people are considerably
worked up over the affair, and he would
not be surprised if there were not some
interesting developments in the next two
days.
MRS. woODwARD'S TITLE.
Another circumstance that did not tend
to harmonic the school trustees was the
fact that Mrs. Woodward's right to hold
the Office of trustee was questioned. The
matter was submitted to District Attor-
ney Ryan, and he handed superintendent
Howard a written opinion yesterday TO
the effect that Mrs. Woodward was not
entitled to the office. He based this on
the tact that she was merely an appointee,
and not having been elected by the peo-
pie, could not hold Office after the close of
the school year unless reappOinted. Had
she been elected she would hold office un-
til her successor was appointed. This de-
cision may invaidate the election of one
or both of the teachers.
The whole affair is in a badly mixed-up
and demOralized state, and needs the at
tention of the proper authorities very
promptly.