The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1894-04-03
FIREBUGS ARE ABOUT.
No Doubt That There's Gang of
IncendiarieS
WHO ARE FIRING THE BARNS.


Other Horses Perish.
Incendiaries are at large in Topeka
They have been carrying on their work
for several weeks, but the burning of the
barn, three valuable horses and three
carriages belonging to o. p. Updegraf
at 715 Harrison street, last night was the
latest example of their wickedness.
W. A S. Bird lives across the alley
from the scene of the fire. When he
went home last night at II o'clock he saw
a group of men in the alley as he passed,
but did not give the matter a second
thought When he got to his front steps
he heard a door slam. Surprising the
wind was swinging the door to his coal
house he decided to go back and lock it,
but went first into the house and lighted
the gas. Two minutes had not elapsed
from the time he went into the house
until he went out of the rear door;
when he saw the whole south end of
Mr.. UpdegrafFs barn bursting into flames.
Then dawned on Mr.. Bird the sig
nificance of the providers in the alley
and the slamming door, Mr.. Bird rush
ed out of the house, sent boy who was
passing to turn in the alarm, and aroused
all the neighbors, whose houses were in
great danger of catching on fire.
The wind was blowing at about 20
miles an hour, and the sparks and embers
were being scattered broadcast The fire
department had just returned from an
other fire, and there was some delay in
getting streams of water into play. The
barn was completely beyond saving when
the fremen arrived, and their efforts
were directed towards saving the adjoin-
ing property.
Mr.. Updegraff's house and that of
GuilfOrd Dudley in the same yard
caught afire, but were put out Finally
the walls of the barn caved in, and the
mass of debris was saturated with water
until the last spark was extinguished.
Three of Mr.. Updegraff's horses were
burned. The most valuable one was the
three-year-Old trOtter, "Jerry Simpson,
for whom his owner had refused $1,000
This horse made some excelIentrecords
on the state fair track last fall.
''1rue Blue" another three ear-oId
was burned to death, was the family
carriage horse that has been in service
for many years and was the most be-
loved of all by Mr.. Updegraff's children.
Mr.. UpdegraH thinks there was no in
surance on his property, but cannot tell
until he has time to hunt up his insur-
ance policies.
Chief Wilmarth says there is no doubt
of the existence of a gang, probably
tramps. who delight in fires such as that
last night, and who are responsible also
for the burning of the barn of Joab Null
vane. DR.. McCarrer and many others re-
Gently. He describes their work as ''sim-
1t seems probable that those incen-
diaries do not limit their operations to
arson, but include in it burglary as WE'LL
Shortly before the fire, the house of NJ
P. Hillyer in the same block was the
scene of their operations.
The mem bers of the family were pIav-
ing cards in rear room, and Miss May
Hiilyer, who had been at a neigh boris
was returning home. On the front porch
of her home she saw a man standing
but supposing it was some one to see her
father, walked in the door which was
standing open. Thereupon the man
blew a shrill whistle and another man
rushed out of the hallway. He said
'.Good evening" as he brushed past Miss
Hillyer, and the two men ran away to-
gether
1t is thought that the Updegraff barn
was set afire in order to attract the en-
tire attention of the neighborhood in
that direction, in order that they might
have comparatively easy time plumber
ing the houses in the vicinity. No such
burglaries were reported to the police
however The only robbery reported
was the stealing of set of harness from
the barn of Mr.. Poole in the western
part of town.
Chief Wilmarth says that while no re-
Election is intended towards those who
have suffered from the incendiaries
burning of barns would be less common
if the barns were securely locked As
is is, tramps are often invited by open
doors to commit their depredations. He
admonishes all citizens to lock their barn
doors.
Other Barn Fires.
The fire at 1925, prior to the big fire,
was in the barn at the rear of the Topeka
club. A pile of excelsior was burning
1t may have been incendiary and may
have been accidental. 1t was discovered
in time to be extinguished without loss
At $3.50 yesterday the firemen were
called to 1925 North Quincy street, to
put out fire in the barn of A. A NORTH
land. A horse and set of harness were
burned The loss will be about $500,
partially covered by insurance.