davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1897-07-09
MANKArO FREE PRESS.

clue that the Garden City stolen
goods were hidden in the north end
of town and that we were looking for
them. This story was only to be used
in case we were caught. l told Odds
that we were going out to locate
buildings to be set fire to Wednesday
night. Henderson and l agreed to
tell Olds that if he didn't prove true
we would swear the fires on him, and
we agreed to use him as tool to do
anything that we wanted him to do.
We were to tell him that there would
be $50 in it for him il he proved true,
but not for setting the fires. l told
Olds all about the agreement between
myself and Henderson, and we under
stood that he (Olds) was really to get
nothing. l don't suppose that Hen
derson knew for a moment about my
giving this away4to Odds. Henderson
and agreed that if Odds couldn't be
used as a tool to do anything that we
wanted him to, we would swear the
burning of the two buildings that we
were about to burn upon him. Hen
derson told Odds that he would see
that he (Olds) got the $50. l never
asked anybody as to whether would
get one cent of reward. l held out no
inducement to Odds. He said he was
perfectly willing, if he could help me,
to 90 with us. Did not offer Odds a
part of the reward if l got any. l
wanted him to 60 with me to the set
ting of the fire, in order to catch Hen
derson, and told Odds so. Did not
ask Don Nelson to help me and pro-
mise to share the reward with him.
Do not know Don Nelson. l have
lived in Mankato about five years in
all. My business has principally been
painting and paper hanging. Have
been sickly most of the time of late
years, and have not done much detec-
tive work, as my health would not
permit it. Have partly been retained
by the present mayor to look up the
fire bug case. l started in on my own
hook before being hired by the mayor.
l took the matter up for the city
about the time of the burning of Mar
tin Wiltgen's barn. 1 knew who the
fire bug was when l talked with
Mayor Pau.
On redirect examination, Miller said
that Henderson said that he had ask.
ed the city for the job of running
down the fire bugs but that the city
had acted as if it didn't care, ano
that he had rather received the colo
shoulder. Henderson said that he
had asked the city for a job severa
times. Henderson gave as motive
for setting theft that he wanted tt
be employed some time as city de
tective.
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1897-07-09

A. E. Miller was recalled and denied
that he had said to Henderson that
he knew of man who knew of the
Garden City goods and that he wanted
a man to help him in the case. He
denied the alleged conversation in re-
gard to the Garden City matter, and
denied all of Henderson's testimony
in relation to the search for the
goods.
Chas. Odds was recalled and denied
Henderson's testimony in regard to
looking for the Garden City goods,
and leaving Miller and Henderson
near the hospital and not coming
back.
Officer Schultz was recalled and
said that Henderson and Miller came
to the city hall shortly before four
o'clock.
This completed the evidence in the
case.
Mr.. Plymat argued the case for the
defense, and Mr.. Evan Hughes argued
it for the state, both speaking ably
and at length.
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1897-07-09
WAIVED AN EXAMINATION
Cyrus b. Miller Appears in Court
This Morning.

OCyrus B. Miller, arrested as Silas
Gray, was brought before the munich
pal court this forenoon to have his
hearing on the charge of grand larceny
in the second degree. He asked that
his true name be used hereafter. In
the absence of W. L. ComstOck, his at
torney, w. B. Torroy appeared for him
and announced that Miller desired to
waive an examination and be bound
over to the November grand jury.
The bond was placed at $500, and
Miller was committed back to Jail.
He states that he will not furnish bail
at present. He refuses to disclose
anything concerning his family or his
home.
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1897-07-09
The Defense Begins.

After a half hours recess, the de-
tense called John E. Nelson, who is
teamster residing on North Seventh
street. l know Miller and Olds by
sight only. Saw them at Jefferson's
barn the morning of June 18th. 1
was called there by Miller. was on
the St. Peter road. He wanted me
to look at the smoke and fire, saying
that he might want to use me as
witness in the case. We put out the
fire. John Sweedberg was with me,
and we were going fishing. When
we got to the barn Odds was sitting on
a box in front of the barn, hanging his
head down. paying no attention to the
barn. The straw seemed to have
been scratched into a heap five feet
long, and was all afire. In my judg-
ment the fire could not have
been burning an hour. No part
of the building was afire. The
floor Iof the building there
is three feet from the ground. 1t was
eighteen inches from the straw.
We put the fire out by putting
a sheet iron platform over it.
The fire seemed to be new. There
was nothing there to hold a fire
very long. Saw Miller afterwards,
two or three weeks ago, at the city
hall, and he said he had forgotten to
take my name, in case l should be
needed as a witness. [ asked him
yesterday why we were not called as
witnesses, and he said his attorneys
did not ask for us. I asked Miller
when the fire was lit. and he said
about two o'clock. 1t did not look as
though it burned that long. The fire
was burning all over the top, smoking
and fire could be seen in the straw
smouldering but not blazing. I do not
think the fire had been burning more
than fifteen or twenty minutes when
we arrived.
On cross examination, the witness
said that the straw might have been
packed, but in that case it could not
have burned over an hour. Did not
look under the pile. Don't know but
there might have been some materia
in the pile that would have burned
longer. 1t is true that told Miller
that if was not called as witnes.
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1897-07-09
Henderson Discharged.

Judge Shissler said that in his ex-
perience in the bar since 1870 he had
never heard more wonderful story
told-wonderfu in the extreme. He
spoke of the great .improbability of
the story told by Miller and Odds, He
said that the state had failed to make
satisfactory case, and it was ques-
tionable whether a crime had been
committed. He discharged the de-
PENDANT. The audience applauded.
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1897-07-09
This Afternoon.

Mr.. Henderson took the stand
again this afternoon, and the cross
examination proceeded. Miller and l
spent about an hour at the union
depot the morning of June 18th We
went from there to the Milwaukee
depot. We were talking about Odds
and how slick he got the goods out OF
Garden City. We then came to the
city hall because Miller wanted to
find out whether Odds had been ar
rested. Miller asked Officers Lund-
berg and Schuette whether anybody
had been arrested. Miller did not
dare me to 90 in. Miller said that if
Odds was not arrested the latter ex-
pected to be at his (Miller's) house
for breakfast. Didn't know who it
was that ran out of Miller's back yard
after l left, but it was tall, slim man.
We were at the city hall between 200
and 800 a. M, or after 800 q. m. We
went home from the city hall. Mil
Ter told me that Olds got letter from
Tyson telling where the goods were,
and that Odds knew something about
it. He told me that Odds helped Ty-
son get the goods out of Garden
City, and when the roads were good
the box was taken to this city and
buried. Miller said that he and Odds
got acquainted chopping wood and
that Odds told him about the matter
then. The defense rested at 2:30 p.
m.
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1897-07-09
Mr.. Miiler'S Story.

Mr.. Miller testified that he is 81
years old, and has been a resident of
Blue Earth county off and on about
five years. Have known G. M. Hen
derson about two years. About three
weeks previous to June 18th, Hender-
son first spoke to me about the fires.
We were in a small building back of a
house on Prospect Heights. He said
that there would soon be more fires in
Mankato, and good many more
buildings would burn. He said that
the city was much stirred up, and
said that he was determined to get
Job from the city. l asked him
whether | could not be present with
him when he set his next fire. and he
finally said l could. A week later, at
Henderson's house, he asked me
whether the people of Mankato sus-
picioned him. He had frequently
asked this question, and | had always
answered him mo" This time told
him that the people did suspicion
him. He seemed to be scared out and
said if this was so he had better not
set another fire for some time. He
said the people might be watching
him. 1 said that it had not gone that
far.
On Thursday, June 10th, we went
around town for awhile, had several
drinks, and he asked whether the
town was not pretty we'll stirred up.
L said yes, and he thought so too, but
he said that the people were not do
ing much, and that pretty soon there
would be ID sight more tires,
that "buildings would burn all around
u.s." 1 asked when he was going tC
have another fire and he said that he
didn't know, l asked him whether
could not be with him when he fired
his next building and he said yes.
told him l had another man to joir
with us. He asked whether he was
safe, and l said yes, that three could
watch building better than two. He
said that he was going away the mex,
day, and that when he got back We
would have the fire. He agreed tt
meet Olds and aud lay the plan ano
see the ground. l went for Olds Fri.
day, and he was not home, but left
word for him to meet us. After sup
per Henderson was at my place and
told him for the first time who Old:
was and told him that Odds would be
there at 900 p. M. Henderson wanted
to know whether he would have TIM
to 90 home first, and 1 said yes, 4
few moments after wards Olds drov,
up. and I'VE then went to the Cit
Hotel and put up the horse. Whel
we got back we found Henderson lyin,
in the grass in our yard. Henderson,
asked Odds whether he was related t
Ed Odds. Odds said no. Henderso
said to Odds: eff you prove true t
ms there will be'a d good thing TO
us, and believe you will prove true
for Miller has told me good deal
vou." We all shook hands and prom
ised to prove true to each other. INA
evening we went to lower town
henderson said to locate fire to Sc
on Wednesday evening following t
oct the fire department out, and the
to locate livery stable. which HeI
derson said was down the street frol
h e Glass Block by the railroad tract
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1897-07-09
Chas. OIds.

Charles Odds was sworn and said
that he has lived in Rapidan town
ship since last September, and is a
carpenter. Have known A. E. Miller
since last fall. Have known G. M.
Hend erson since June 18th. Did not
know him before then. First talked
with Henderson about the proposed
burning of the Jefferson barn, be-
tween 900 and 1000 p. m. June 18th,
at Miller's house. Henderson said
first that if 1 kept my mouth shut
there would be good thing in it for
me. 1 told him l would keep my
mouth shut. Henderson asked me
whether Miller had told me the plan
that they had laid, and said he had.
He said all right, and we went to Hen
derson's house and then started for
the north part of the city. The moon
went down that night at 1:4S a. m.
Witness told of the visit to the two
barns, the delays. etc. Henderson
said the Jefferson barn would be all
right, and located the place to set the
fire in the west end, and placed the
straw. Then we sat down little
ways off, and Henderson said: "Boys,
what is the use of putting this off, we
might as we'll set this off tonight, as
it is dark" We objected for time
but finally said all right and went to
the building. Henderson said he
| would set the fire if we would watch.
On the way Miller punched me, told
me to 90 slow, and then told me to
come to his side of the building, He
also told me to run around when
Henderson started the fire and yell
and ask him what ne was doing. l
looked around the corner of the barn.
saw that the fire was started, yelled
and said to Henderson: Hello,
there, what are you trying to do?"
Henderson ran away, and l backed up
and lay down, and afterwards helped
put out the fire. Miller told me to
90 home and 60 to bed. l went to
the City Hotel and went to bed, and
miller said he would 60 and find Hen
Iderson. The next morning Miller and
IL went to the barn and found the
straw burning, and put out the fire.
The cross examination was conduc
ted by Mr.. Plymat. Mr.. Odds said
that he got acquainted with Miller
last fall husking corn for farmer in
lDecoria. Miller lives at 235 Shaubut
street. He came after me in the fore
noon of June 18th. was not at home
but came to town that evening early
and went to Miller's. Henderson wa'
there lying on the grass. Miller in
troduced me to Henderson, we shool
hands, and Henderson said: II sup
pose this is one of our boys" Mile
said yes. Henderson said, eff you
! prove true, as you look to be, there
will be a good thing in it for us.
We then promised to be true to eacl
other and shook hands with Hender
son again. While walking with Mil
Ter from the City Hotel barn to hi
house, he told me of the plan and salt
that the livery barn was one of tn
buildings to be burned. IL was tn,
barn near the railroad track, acros
the street at the foot of the street b.
the Glass Block. He said that WI
had to locate barn in North Manka
!, to that night to burn. Miller had salt
l. the day before, June 10th, in Manka
|, to, that he had the fire case prett
d we'll looked up and that he had got
a ten into Henderson's confidence, an
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1897-07-09

blazing when we went back but was
nearly all afire.
Court took recess at noon until
1870 p. m.
TUESDAY.
The preliminary hearing in the case
of G. M. Henderson on the charge of
firing Adam Jeffgson's barn occupied
all of today and was completed late
this afternoon. The court room has
been packed both days.
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1897-07-09
Miller Again.

A. E. Miller took the stand again,
and the cross examination was con-
tinued. 1t was our plan, he said.
If we got caught sneaking around
the buildings, to say that we had a
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1897-07-09

n, W. Sinclair and Misses Winifred
and Margaret Sinclair, Maurice Stern
berg, w. w. Ward, B. III. Ward and
G. N. Peterson, of Fairmont, were in
Mankato today.
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1897-07-09
ASSESSORS RETURNS.

The following additional returns of
assessors were made at the county
auditors Office up to yesterday. The
1896 figures are also given.
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1897-07-09
HENDERSON IS CLEARED.
HE TELLS AN ENTIRELY DIF-
FERENT STORY.

Saws Miller Claimed to Be Try
ing to Trap Olds and Prosecute
Him as the Garden City Thief
Odds COrrObOrates Miller's
Testimony - Great Conflict of
Testimony and Somebody Fal-
sites Dreadfully - Henderson
Discharged Monday Afternoon.
The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1897-07-09

could not set the hay afire as his
matches were wet. 1 saw Odds at his
room in the City Hotel at 4:3O a. M,
when he told me about the hay not
burning. got home at 4:1O a. m. 1t
was about 400 a. m. when we were at
the police station. I was looking at
Henderson when he started the fire,
being fifteen feet away. Odds was 20 to
80 feet away. I was partially lying
down in the weeds. Henderson passed
through gate and went through a
hog yard, jumped fence and ran away
in a northwesterly direction. The
barn is hill side barn, and we got the
straw from under the barn floor. Hen
derson first asked me in March in regard
to whether people were suspecting him.
He asked what people thought of him
and his business, and whether people
distrusted him on the fire deal. I told
him year ago last fall that 1 was a
detective. Henderson asked me to lis
ten around and learn whether people
suspected him. I asked Henderson q
year ago why he and could not go in
together to find the fire bug. He said
mo -- him, the town don't
know anything" Had no talk in this
regard after the reward was offered
The straw that we found under the sill
was wet, which caused it to burn sc
long during the night. 1t was no
Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1897-02-11
IMMIGRATION BILL.
The Senate Disagrees to the Con-
ference Report.
LIQUORS IN THE NATIONAL CAPITOL.
Senator Hill Tries TO Defeat the Measure
Prohibiting Their Use-An I'm
eyentfu Day In the
House.

WAsnuYGToN, Feb 5.-The session Of
the senate yesterday was one of I'M
usual activity, with sharp colloquies
and vigorous speeches which drew
large crowds TO the galleries. The ball
was set rolling early in the day when
Mr.. Morrill, cndeavored to pass the bill
prohibiting the use Of intoxicants in
the capitol building. This aroused the
opposition of Mr. Hill, of New York,
who denounced the busy-bodics and
mischief-makers inspiring this class Of
legislation. The senator spoke for the
fullest enjoyment Of individual liberty
consistent with the common good, The
speech was not only notable for the
vigor which MIR. Hill threw into it, but
also for It's effect in prolonging the de-
bate until two o'clock, when the bill
was displaced by the Nicaragua bill.
Mr.. Hill made n motion to commit. II
was n tie at first, but the summoning
of senator's defeated the motion. Yeas,
n; nays, 30,
Mr.. Morgan, Of Alabama presented
resolution requesting the president
for information as to the arrest of Cas-
per l'etancourt at Havana, whether q
demand for his release had been made,
etc. The resolution was agreed to.
Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1897-02-11
soon after adjourned.
THE HOUSE.

THE HOUSE.
WASHINGTON, Feb, b.-The proceed
ings in the house yesterday were very
dull and almost entirely devoid Of pub
lie interest. The major portion Of the
day was devoted to the District Of Co.
lumbia appropriation bill. The amend
ment to that bill, made in order by the
adoption of Il special order Wednesday,
to repeal law by which the court of
claims was engaged in passing on
claims aggrcgating 81, 100000 against
the District during the Gov Shepherd
regime, was adopted with practical
unanimity
Bills were passed to authorize the
construction Of a lighthouse at Orient
point Long Island; to authorize the
establishment of a life saving station
at Point Arena Mendocino county, Cal
iforn1a TO grant the Hudson Reservoir
& Canal Co. right Of way through
the ella Indian reservation, Arizona;
to grant pension of $50 per month to
the widow Of Maj ten. Joseph i. Carr,
and senate bill to increase the pension
Of the widow Of Brig .-Gen. John llough.
On motion Of Mr. Danford, of Ohio,
the house agreed to the senate's re-
quest for further conference on the
immigration bill. At $40 p IN. the
house ad journcd.
Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1897-02-11
An Indication Of Good Times.

There is no better indication Of the
fast approach Of booming times than
the wonderful foreign demand for
our products, which is bound to send
prices Of all farm products much
higher and The Big American Wooden
Mills Co. of So Fulton street, Chicago,
are furnishing $4,000 to $4,000 a
month employment at home to every
man over IS years Of age in good
standing who applies to them. If
You are out Of work write to them
and they will send you a big sample
line free and set you to work in your
own county at once at good pay.
This is the first time in several years
any man could be sure of securing
steady employment at fixed, sure pay
by simply writing a letter.
Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1897-02-11
A PLACE FOR COBURN.
Administrat on WIN Perhaps Make Hin

Administrat on VIII Perhaps Make Him
Assistant Secretary OF Agriculture.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 5.-Secretary Co
burn, Of the state board of agriculture
Of Kansas, is to be- assistant secretary
of agriculture, The place will be for
mally rendered him very soon and it is
quite certain that he will not refuse.
Coburn was candidate for secretary
Of agriculture, but his boom failed to
initiate. The Kansas delegation has
recommended him for assistant secre-
tary, however, and the place is to be
given him. This is probably the most
important position Kansas will receive
in Washington under the new admin
istration,
Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1897-02-11
Couehs Arc Warnings

Of something amiss in the throat or
lungs. Don't mind the cough, mind
the cause. Use the remedy that cures
the cough by curing the cause. Bal
lard's Horehound Syrup cures throat
and lung troubles, whooping cough,
etc., the right way. Quick, sure,
safe, Mrs. W. B. Evans, Clearwater,
Kans., writes: "Six years ago my
husband lay sick for three months;
the doctors said he had quick con-
sumption. One bottle of Billiards.
Horehound Syrup cured him" Price
25 and 50 cents. Sold by c. Z.
Northcraft 4 Co.
Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1897-02-11
----------------------=-------
MUTINOUS PRISONERS.
A Small Riot at the Federal Jail In Ard
more, |. r.

Small Riot Mt the Federal jail In Ard
more, l. T.
ARDMoRE, |. T., Feb 6.-The prison.
ers confined in the United States Jail
here have lately been very troublesome
and made several efforts to escape by
tunneling out. As punishment they
were deprived of their meat yesterday
for dinner. This caused added abuse
to the guards. At the usual hour for
locking the outer Jail door last night a
rush was made and the door forcibly
torn down by the prisoners. They
were corraled by the guards, however,
and held within the Jail building. Coal
was thrown at the lamps and guards
by the prisoners Finally pistol shot
was fired by one Of the guards to quiet
the rioters. A cry came from within
the Jail that a man was shot. A posse
entered and found A. c. Gould shot
through the right thigh, This quoted
the rioters.
Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1897-02-11

KANSAS CITY, Mo-, Feb. 6.-Little
Mary c. Sewell lies dead at the home
of her parents at 1905 East Sixteenth
street. She was three years old. While
playing yesterday the fingers Of one
hand were caught in door and
bruised. Fifteen minutes later she
died in commissions, The doctor said
her death was the result Of paralysis
of the heart, caused by the bruise.
Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1897-02-11
FARMERS EXCITED.
Arthur Courtney, Of Henry County, Ia,
Suspected Of Theft.

Arthur Courtney, Of Henry County, Ia,
Suspected Of Theft.
OTTUMwA, Ia., Feb. 0.-Arthur Court
ney, the farmer suspected Of implica-
ton with Sam Earhart in the whole.
sale theft from farmers of Henry
county, has been arrested. Three men
are held to the grand jury. There is
intense excitement at Mount Pleasant
over the affair, and half the farmers
residing in Marion township, where
the crimes were committed are at the
county seat, where the grand jury is
in session. The fur robes, buggies
and bicycles found in the Courtney
farm have been identified by the own
ers from whom they were stolen in the
last few months. Further search of
the premises resulted in finding other
articles, among them canvas tent and
quarter of beef, which gives another
clew to clearing up the mystery. A
Mount Pleasant butcher claims to have
been approached by two men on sew
eral occasions with proposition to
sell him dressed beef, which he re-
fused. II is said that several others
are implicated, and that more arrests
will follow. Courtney is well con-
ppptp1