Blackfoot news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1891-1902, 1897-11-27

AA& 4&r4 s-ssAftus mural tCfufie8 WIN
easily cverridden. and the interview
gene ally ended by the "firebug'' being
commissioned TO have the stock in
sured for as high an amount as pos
sibls.
The night for the fire was duly Sc
lected- A few days prior to it the
mechanics" or underlings in the en-
ploy OF the gang" saw to It that
supply Of naphtha. benzine or kerosene
had been smuggled into the building
On the night agreed upon these same
mechanics" managed TO get them
selves licked in. always providing for
an easy and unobserved exit. The fre
broke oilt at the proper time, and their
work wks done.
Then the ''frebug" leader chose a
public insurance adjuster-if he was
not one himself-to estimate the loss
and present the case to the insurance
companies. When the latter had ren-
dered their decision as to the sum to
be paid, the insurance adjuster or some
other person in the gangs" employ
called upon the storekeeper.
You're going to get $4,000" hs
would say. Il want s25,000.''
What for? Do you take me for a
fool?" was the exclamation he was
likely to meet with.
That's all right. old fellow" said the
other, 'but have learned that you had
your place fired. Either you give me
half of the money or I'll notify the 20
lice"
Very often. as the storekeeper was
ignorant this threat did the business,
and the agreement was made. Tho
'frebug'a" share was divided among
the gang" by the man who received 1t.
The mechanics" who did the firing
rarely got more than SIS or $50 for
their part of the work. the big fellows
who did the plotting getting almost
all.
II vas through a fire in a Canal St
clothing store that Mr.. Davis got the
first clew to the methods OF the organ
lied incendiary gangs" the existence
of which had been suspected. although
the proof was not forthcoming. For
reasons best known to himself and tbs
authorities, an acquaintance Of Louis
| Rothman and Sarah Silbermeister-
who are now doing terms of fifteen and
twenty-five years respectively in the
state prison-gave information to the
district attorneys Office, with view OF
exposing the gangs" The authorities
had not been quite convinced Of the
mans truthfulness, and to substantiate
; his statements he said:
IF you don't believe ne. wait and
see il there won't be fire within the
next two weeks at No. las Canal
street"
A room opposite the store designated
was hired and detectives were put on
watch. The Sunday following the
| storekeeper was seen to come out of bis
place, look anxiously up and down tho
z street, and go in again. Presently Roth
man and the Silbermeister woman
.ame in sight. A block away they sep
arated, the man approaching alone
| with bag and entering the store, and
the woman following a few minutes
. later. A short time afterward the
storskeeper reappeared and, locking
the door on the inside. went away. II
wasn't long before there was a loud
, explosion. and the front wall wa1
, blown out and an ugly fire ensued.
The detectives caught the ''firebugs" "a
, they were attempting to get away in
the crowd Rothman had on three
: pairs of trousers and new hat, on the
! inside of which was printed the name
of clothing store keeper in Clinton
, street who had been burned out few
weeks before. The result was the con.
! viction of Rothman and Sarah Siber.
! meister and the verifcation Of the in
: formers statements.
Z The arrest Of Harris was at once or
dered, but the bird had flown" and M
, clew could be obtained as to his where.
2 abouts. Some time afterward this de
I tectives thought they had their man il
New Mexico. The individual in ques
: ton was Swallowed for awhile, but h,
turned out to be somebody else. III,
, little thinks. if he still lives, that h,
r was for weeks supposed to be a no
torious criminal.