The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1895-10-04
South Corlnth.

IS ARTHUR WAUGH THE FIRE-BUG?
This question for the jury, but at the
present time is much agitated by the gooo
people of Corinth. Some few profess to be-
fieve in Arthur's guilt, while many Others
think him innocent. Any one of candid
mind, who is not prejudiced can after
knowing the facts of the c'se judge fol
themselves, and come to very correct con
clusion.
The facts appear to be these: Two very
harmless fires occurred in South COrinth in
May and July last. On Sunday, May 18th,
at about seven o'clock in the afternoon, the
barn of Albert l.. Parker was found to be
on fire, but was soon eXtinguiShed; cause OF
fire unknown, but was supposed to be IN
cendiary. On the morning OF the Sd OF Ju
the barn OF Rodney E. Merrill was set on
ire, but was soon put out as the the fre had
made but little Roadway.
Merrill gives the following account of the
fire: II was unwell that morning and got
up about four O'Clock, went into the horse
man going up the path in the pasture back
of the barn. He was not large man, had
on a straw hat or light cOlored felt could
not tell who he was. and thought nothing
strange as many people pass that way and
have often seen men pass as early III tne
morning. Went back to bed, got up again
at about five o'clock and went to the barn,
saw smoke coming out of the cattle shed.
found the fire was in corner OF the head
scatfold. | called for help and went to
work to put out the fire. Help came and
we soon had the fire under control. L nave
no idea who set the fire, do not know as
it was the man that saw when | first got
up. II it was him the fire must have been
going for at least three-quarters of an hour,.
and think it must have got undermore head
way but can't tell, There was some green
hay on the scaffold
4 few days after some one employed one
Jim Dunn of Manchester, n. H., who some
time before had been discharged from the
police force to come up and act as detect
i've. Dunn was told where to go and what
was wanted of him. Dunn found Arthur
and on some pretext got him to go to Mer-
rilPs with him. What was SAID or done to
Arthur no one, outside, knows; but, in
some way he was made to own that he set
the fires at Merril's and Parker's. Arthur
was sent to Jail, but was soon taken out on
bail. A number of very respectable people
say that it was impossible for Arthur
Waugh to have set the Parker fire, as they
can prove where he was at the time the fire
broke out and all of that afternoon. Waugh
was at work for one Martin, and tits claim
ed by Mr.. Martin and his wife that Arthur
| Waugh was not absent the morning of the
| Merrill fire.
A petition for fire inquest was signed
| by large number of the citizens of the
town, but the selectmen will not call an in
quest.
Mr.. Albert l.. Parker is one of the select
| men.
| Why is that some are afraid of an inquest :?
Some days before the Merrill fire Waugh
had sued Merrill, but at the time of the fire
his pay was said to be all right.
If Arthur Waugh was suspected of setting
the Merrill fire what was the use for de-
tective? Why not have had him arrested at
once?
Some things look little strange. And
this Darling Eastman, why should he want
to burn out Parker and Merrill who never
injured him?
1t must be one of two things, one party is
trying to ield a fire bug, or the other par
| ty is putting up a job on an innocent man.
Which is it? Judge for yourself. Time
will tell.
| OBSERVER,