The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1896-09-05

Beveridge and Redpath Play For Big Game
and May Win Out.

and May Win Out.
A party OF survivors of the Ontona-
gon fire. composed largely OF employees OF
the Chicago, Milwaukee & st. Paul rail-
way, were discussing the details OF the
terrible confagration in the lobby OF the
Commercial Hotel at Iron Mountain,
the other evening. At length the case OF
Beveridge and Rodpath. the two men
awaiting trial, without bail. on the
charge Of murder, was touched upon.
Alter the discussion had proceeded ut
some length and IA complete story OF the
actions Of the pair in assisting the wife
and mother OF the sheriff to place Of
safety and returning to assist the frantic
villagers in their combat OF the flames, n
stranger venturcd the inquiry:
Don't you think, from the stand
point of the prisoners welfare, il would
have been better for them had they at
tempted to escnpe?'
''No ~ was the simultaneous response
oil every man in the party. Then the
gentleman who seemed TO be well in
formed and was II prominent citizen OF
the devastated village, said:
"In the first place, it is doubtful
whether or not they could have made
good their escape, and, in the second
place, there is not a man, woman or
child in Ontonagon county who believes.
today, that they will be convicted
Mrs. Corbett, wife OF the sheriff oi On
tonagon county, relates the story in the
following narrative:
81 was in the big fire at Ontonagon
and as my husband was out OF town i
assumed the responsibilities Of the Jail.
When the heat became SO intense and
the fire was everywhere around us the
prisoners besought me piteously to let
them out that they might seek place OF
safety. had no one to assist ne. My
mother, MIS-. Emmons, my three small
children and myself were in charge OF the
Jail. We sent for the city marshall to
take the prisoners from the Jail, but he
declined, saying he had no authority. i
said would not leave under any cir
cumstamcps until something had been
done for these prisoners. When the mar
shall saw was in earnest he consented
TO take Beveredge and Redpath in charge
but had no handouts SO he took them
out free handed. The marshal was con-
fused and after wandering about he told
his two prisoners TO seek safety for
themselves. Bcveredge and Redpath re-
turned at once to the Jail. They assist
el and Redpath took the arm OF my
mother who is now an elderly woman
and Beyeredge picked up two OF my
smallest children and with me on his
arm we all fled. Beveredge and Red
path took us to farmers house two
miles from the city and leaving us in
safety they returned TO the burning
town and fought the fire desperately aid
ing Others to escape until they we're
scorchcd hy the FIRE and several times
their clothes were on fire. They aided
brlvely and we did not see them any
more until when they came up after the
fire and gave themselves up to Sheriff
Corbctt, who told them to bc ready
whenever wanted, which they promised.
They are nov hanging around Ont"na-
gOn
4 dispatch from Ironwood pn Welnes
day SAWS Sheriff Corbctt of Oniona-
gon arrived here tonight with Hedpath
and Bevcridgc, and turned them over 60
Sheriff Kalandcr for sale keeping. These
men are charged with the murder oI
Molle BcSeridge at Matchwood in 1886
The prisoners were behind the bars oI
the Ontonagon jail the fire wiped
out that place last week, and were re-
leased by Mrs. Corbett after the jail
had taken fire, Redpath and Beverdgc
doing heroic work in assisting tho
women and children to escape from the
flames. Sheriff Corbett says that the
report from Calumet that troops have
been sent to Ontonagon TO quell disturb
ances and drive tramps out Of the town
is untrue. He says that the detachment
OF Calumet rifles was sent TO Ontonagor
with tents for the homeless people, and
that as soon AZ the tents are pitched The
militiamen will return home. lie DO
clarcs that there arc no disturbances
nor will any bo tolerated aud that th,
local police aud shcrifIs viii amply pro
lcct AL supplies, property and persons.
~s -
Long Distance Extension.
There nre now two crews uf men work