The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1895-09-20
WHO is THE FIRE-BUG?

In reply to the issue of the Manchester
Union of Aug. 8, saying, EX-Patrolman
Jim Dunn had just returned from northern
Vermont where he was engaged in de-
tective case Involving Darling Eastman,
would say it not only involved Darling
Eastman but also Jim Dunn. 1t is true
that on May 18th the people of Corinth and
vicinity began to surmise a"Fire-bug" was
in their midst, and became thoroughly con-
vinced when on July Sd another fire was
discovered only short distance from the
first, the first fire being the barn of A. l..
Parker and the second the barn of r. E..
Merrill. Both being large barns, if they
had been destroyed it would have been a
great loss to both parties but for the inSur-
ance, but both fires were extinguished.
This Arthur Waugh it speaks of as being
tue "Fire-bug" was creditor to this Mer-
rill for quite sum of money and had been
irving for long time to persuade Merrill
to pay. At last the boy got discouraged
and through advice sued Merrill, then got
his paw. So when the fire broke out it was
laid to Waugh as he was not as brilliant
as the general run of VermOnters.
When Jim Dunn that s1X-fO0t, lantern
iawed. wild-eyed terror of Manchester
came here and went to WaughS mouse, or
where he worked, with iron Shackles hang
ing from his hip pockets and asked him
questions innumerable with the audacity of
a bomb shell it of course frightened the boy
and he knew not what to say. Dunn told
him he wanted he should go to MerrilIs
and tell all about the fires. 81 know moth
inr'' said Waugh. Gail know is that was
up to my brothers and heard that there
was one and can go and say that" so
he went with Dunn to MerrilPs house and
TO the barn yard where they found track
which No. shoe fitted. The hired man
of Merrill's, who had worked there for
long time wore No. Z. This is your
"a. e. z O;s aSlyaH
Dunn. ''No, it is not" said Arthur.
"Now you are the one that set the fires
amt YOU 2" asked Dunn. No, l didn't do
it, said Arthur. Now Dunn took Arthur's
hand and griuped it like the grip of Samson
and said. "You lie, and you know you lie,
and don't you deny it to me for L know
YOU'RE the one. Now you own 1t and you
can 90 back to your work without penny
out of your pocket. but If you don't own it
| shall take you to Bradford and try you
and carry you to Jail where you can never
see any of your friends or relatives any
more"
Now Waugh not being up to the times as
most Vermonters are, believed this and re-
piled, "Y-e-s | s'pOse l done It," Now
Dunn at once got witness and had Arthur
repeat this "S'pose So" NOW Arthur
didn't Darling Eastman put you up to this ~
asked Dunn. Arthur repeated his former
reply, .Y -e-s, s'pOse So" The next day
he was taken 10 jail, Dut Ills stay was SHolt
for two of the old substantial citizens made
tracks for Chelsea as soon as facts were
found. bailed the boy and turned hOmewaId.
He is now at work where he was at the
time of the fire.
The day of Parker's fire Waugh went to
see his brother and started for home only
few minutes before the fire started and was
seen on direct road home by several men
and arrived home as usual. The morning
of Merrilrs fire he came down stairs as
usual at O'Clock, say the people where he
worked. and went to work doing chores.
How's this for Jim Dunn? May the peo-
pie of Corinth and vicinity use much dis
erection in the case of this poor orphan boy.
A READER.