Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1894-04-26
CHARGED WITH lACENDIARlSM.
Clifford Hand, a Brandywlne Hun
dred Farmer, Arrested.

He Is Accused of Being Responsible for
the Numerous Fires That Have Occurred
in Brandywine Hundred During the
Past Hear-Eyidentiy Laudanum VIC
tim.
Clifford Hand, farmer living near
Ialleyyille, in Brandywine hundred,
was arrested by State Detectives McNey
and Witsil Monday, charged with firing
a number Of barns and other buildings
in Brandywine hundred. The prisoner
was brought TO the city hall about
o'clock that afternoon and locked up.
For several months the residents of
Brandywine hundred have been ex-
cited over the wholesale burning of
barns and outbuildings in that locality
aud suspicion a, last fell upon the pris-
oner as the guilty party. Tie matter
was placed in the hands of the State de.
tectiycs ana they went zealously about
their work.
The first fire occurred in July of last
year, when the large barn of Alfred
Hand, near rallcyville, was destroyed.
This was followed by second fire on
the same property, the destroyed build
ing being carriage house, newly
erected. Soon afterwards several straw
stacks were discovered to be on fire and
were totally destroyed. The small
dwelling on the property of James
Hand was destroyed on February I'd.
On the night Of April 9Th the large
barn of Elihu Talley was burned to tie
ground, together with its contents. Six.
teen head Of cattle persisted in the
flames, entailing loss of about $4,000.
This fire was followed last Wednesday
night by the burning of the prisoner
own barn, one mile from Talleyyillc.
BY this time the residents of the
nclghborhood became thoroughly
aroused and active steps were taken to
bring the guilty parties to justice.
| Armed with evidence against the ac-
cused man the State detectives drove to
his farm about 1870 Monday morn
ing and placed him under arrest. Lie
was found at work about the barn and
stoutly proclaimed his innocence of the
| crime.
The detectives took the defendant &c
| his home, where he was allowed TO pro.
cure whatever articles OF clothing or Of
value he desired. II was here that the
officers discovered that the unfortunate
man was lGudauum tiend and he pite
ously begged for quantity of the drug
TO relieve his cravings for it. Hand
admitted that he had been addicted
to the use of laudanum for about /;
years. No less than ii dozen empty
laudanum bottles were found i'll his room
The detectives state that Hand con
fessed 10 the burning of his brother
property, but when arrested denied any
connection with the affair." Hand i
believed to hive a mania for burnin,
barns, and it is said that his mind i
sadly impaired. lie is about 80 year
old, Of small stature, and wears a shagg,
beard all over his face. lie bears
haggard expression.
His object i'll burning tic barns is sal
10 be a desire to destroy hidden devil
which he believes are in hiding in til
mows He said all the barns were file
with devils and the Only way to destro
them was to burn the devils up. Tn
ncighhors have been greatly agitate
over the recent conAagrations and man
of them were afraid to go to bed q
night, expecting to be burned out b
the iire-bug.
Hand was held in $1,000 bail for th
upper court