Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1896-03-26
BARRE STUDENT ARRESTED
SUSPECTED OF ATTEMPTING TO
WRECK GODDARD SEMINARY.
Evidences That tho Fire Was Incendisry
Dynamite Found In tho Room-was
Purchased by student Wales
In Montpelier.

| Barre, VT, March 20.--This noon flames
were discovered pouring out of the front
windows of the top story of Goddard Sem
mary. The students and faculty, who
were at dinner, quickly responded with
pals of water, and had the fire well
under control when the flremen arrived.
The total damage will probably not ex-
coed $500, and Is chiefly In the ceiling of
the chapel and small store room next to
the library, where the fire caught.
Several trunks and carpets were badly
damaged. and the water damage was con-
siderable. The building Is Insured for $25,
900.
Barre, March 22.--Ycsterday brought out
some startling developments in tho fire
mystery at Goddard seminary. This af-
ternoon city grand juror Bisbee made out
a warrant for the arrest of Charles Wales,
a day student, 20 years of age, and whose
home Is In South Barre, charging him
with firing the building. After the fire de-
partment had sufficiently subdued the
flame to admit of entering the room
where the fire was located and to which
It was confined, the work Of carrying out
the charred and burning material was be-
gun. On one side of the room was pile
of boxes. From the top OF the lower box
a strip of board had been torn away. The
outside of the box was charred and the
contents. the students base ball suits
were smoking. Policeman Nichols and
Deputy Sheriff Camp were clearing out
tho crowd of sightseers and doing general
police duty. One of the students reached
into the opening in the top of the lower
box and thrusting hand between the base
ball suits pulled out a stick of dynamite.
The officers Immediately took In the stu
alton and further investigation revealed
the presence OF four more sticks of the
explosive, enough to blow out the walls
of the building. The box was taken In
charge by the officers and carried to police
headquarters. On the floor was found n
bottle containing very small portion of
kerosene and there was considerable OF
the oil on the base ball suits.
Late Friday afternoon Deputy Sheriff
Camp went to Montpelier and made inQuir-
les about dynamite as the particular form
of stick was not handled by any local
dealer. He found that the brand technic-
ally known as Forsyth powder was sold
by only one dealer in the vicinity. a Mont
peier dealer In light hardware, F. Ban
croft. BY questioning the clerk he learn
ed that only one sale had been made re-
Gently and that by the clerk. Orvis Har-
ris, to young man VINO said
that he wanted the stun to split wood
with. The seminary authorities who
at first had made every effort to suppress
ed their attention to the work OF solving
the mystery of such dangerous discov-
cry. The clerk, Norris, was taken to the
seminary and shown n group picture of
all the students now in attendance at the
institution. and he at once picked out
young Wales as the person to whom he
sold the three pounds OF dynamite less
than as many weeks ago. Harris was
next taken through the building and
Clnyyn a t0 hnve who in the
mary proper. but said the young man
wanted was not among them. Wales
rooms in a separate building. He was
called into the principals room and was
Immediately identified.
Thereupon a warrant was made out for
his arrest and hearing was held in the
city court room. Grand Juror Bisbee and
Mayor Gordon appeared for the State, and
Il. w. Bisbee for the respondent. Only
two witnesses were examined. Principal
Pierce and the hardware clerk, Harris.
Principal Pierce told the story OF the
fire, said he had known the respondent
for 10 years. the last four OF which he had
been a student at the seminary. The
principal said that he had never observed
anything criminal In the conduct of Wales
but could not truthfuly say that he was a
conscientious student The young man
was behind In his studies and had been
told that he could not be allowed to gradu-
ate this year; he had shown no resentment
but regret when no told. The principal
further said that he has found novels OF
a nature not allowed In the institution
with Wales name upon them, and since
the fire had learned that the student was
In the habit OF carrying a revolver. He
then told the story of Wales identification
by Harris. Although the principal did not
see Wales on Friday, he was informed
that the student was In the building that
day at noon and that he went to Mont
pelier on the l2:40 train, came back on the
next train, but did not go to the seminary
to sec the effect OF the fire. He asked
wales why he, a seminary student, did
not have interest enough in the school to
go there when he learned that there had
been fire, and the young man replied
that he heard It was out and so did not go.
The other witness. Harris, testified that
he was morally certain that Wales was
the young man to whom he sold the three
pounds of dynamite less than three weeks
ago, and told the conversation he had
with Wales at that time. He then went
on to state the incidents of the morning
when Wales was brought into the princi-
pals room and recognized by him. The
respondents attorney cross-eXamined
Harris sharply, but could not shake his
testimony.
Young Wales was held In $1,000 bonds,
which was furnished by his father, and
the hearing was adjourned until Tuesday.
A MUSICAL FESTIVAL.
st. Johnsbury, VT March 22.-The
Choral union which has been drilling all
winter under the leadership OF Prof. II.
q. Blaisdell Of Concord, N. H., will give
four days musical festival here begin
ming Tuesday, May 10. Prof. Blaisdell
viii lead the chorus and the accompanies
are Mrs. Martha Dana Shepard of Boston
and b. Frank Harris of this place. II is
hoped to have 800 voices In the chorus and
to make this festival the biggest and
best ever held In St. Johnsbury. Noted
soloists will he engaged for the concerts.
Dr. Carl Duff. the great New York BARI
tone, has already been engaged.
THE EPEcIIlES RANOTrE,1,