Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1899-09-07
DASTARDLY DEED.
Attempt to Burn St. Savior's
Church, Bar Harbor.
Toilet Room Saturated With Gil and
Burning Paper Thrown In.
Oil Fails to Ignite and Paper Burns Itself Out
NO Clue.

Tt D..
The people of Bar Harbor was start
led by the news that an attempt had
been made, during Tuesday night. to
burn the beautiful st. Savior's Epis-
copal church of this place The fact
that such an attempt had been made
was kept from the public. until to-
night, when it leaked out in spite of
the precaution that had been made to
keep il quite until an investigation be
made, and little else has been talked
about town, tonight. The dastardly
deed, for which there is no possible
motive. has created no end of appre-
hension and surprise. Why any one,
unless insane, should ATTEMPT to burn
the beautiful St Sayior's church is a
mystery.
That an attempt had been made 10
set fire to the church was discovered,
this morning, by the sexton. Mr. Sum
insby. While attending to his work he
discovered in the toilet room pieces of
charred paper in large quantities and
upon closer investigation found that
the floor Of the room had been soaked
with kerosene. The attention Of the
rector. Rev. w. O. Baker. was called
to this and the matter was immediate
ly reported to the police
From the subsequent investigation it
was evident that some one had made
elaborate and careful preparations 10
burn the church. The room in which
the paper was found is in the passage
way which connects the main body of
the church with the Sunday School
room in the rear. The window of the
toilet room is within reach of a per-
son standing on the porch of the sun
day School room. This window had
been opened and a quantity Of kero-
sene poured on the floor. so much as
TO soak through the walls Of the church
and be visible on the outside Of the
church.
Then it is supposed that pieces of
lighted paper were dropped in. but.
most fortunately, the lighted paper did
rot drop on the floor where the kero-
sene had been poured. The paper drop
ping on the hardwood floor soon burn
ed itself out and the miscreant was
foiled in his dastardly work. Some of
the pieces of charred paper lay with
in an inch of the oil soaked wood
showing how narrow was the escape
from the fire. AS the place where the
incendiary made his attempt is in the
rear Of the church away from the
street. if a fire had started il would
have made considerable Roadway be
fore it would have been discovered
The deed must have been committed
after II O'Clock. as Maurice Ramsey,
the chormaster. held a rehearsal I'M
til about 10, and any one in the porch
up to that time would have been at
once discovered. The sexton was af-
forwards in the church to lock up and
it was nearly II when he left. He is
positive that at that time everything
was all right.
The rectory. beautiful edifice only
completed within the past six weeks, j.
connected with the church by cloister.
and the young rector. Rev. w. O. Bakcr.
whose marriage with Miss Jackson.
daughter of Chas. Carol Jackson of New
York was one of the social events Of the
season. has lust moved into the rectory
with his bride. The rectory was built by
Mr. ana Mrs. Jackson at 4 cost of Sl2 600
Mr. Baker is very highly esteemed by all
in town and by his entirely unseltish AMI
devoted work has won a warm place in
the hearts of the tOwnspeople as well as
the summer visitors. Mr.. Baker has only
recently succeeded to the rectorate of the
church. his predecessor being Rev. c. 5.
Lefiingwell. VINO retired after pastorate
Of % years. a man universally beloved
and esteemed. He is now rector emeritus
Of the church.
1t could not have been through any
grudge against either of these that the
deed was committed. as they have not an
enemy in town. their position being eX
ceptional, 50 highly are they esteemed by
all classes. The church itself is very lib
eral III its charities and bencvolences,
"A clue to the deed all the more
vague. The rectory would have been IN
danger had the fire made any Roadway,
which makes the deed all the more
heinUus.
The matter is in the hands of the local
police. who are hard at work. assisted by
the officers of the church. trying to dis
cover some clue to the miScreant. Two
men are on watch al the church. tonight,
in case an attempt should be made to re
peat the deed.