Daily Kennebec journal., 1899-02-22
For Burning Industrial School
Building at Hallowell.
Ella Harvey Pleads Not Guilty, But Has
Already Confessed.
Flora Mcdonald Tells How Ella Harvey Made
Mar Set ihe Fire.

morning on charge Of having set fire t.
the Industrial school No. !. on Feb. 2
Both entered Il plea of not guilty and
were bound over in the sum Of $1,000
jury.
City Marshal Church went to Port
land on the $50 train. Tuesday morn
ing, and on arrival in that city imme-
diateiy went TO the police station. MISS
Harvey who had been found by a
Portland officer. al the home Of her
sister at Cape Elizabeth, was in GUS
tody at the station. and was removed
to the Maine Central depot in time to
take the noon train for this city. The
trim 10 this city was characterised by
no particular incident. The girl seemed
cool and really uncOncerned. no action
OF whatever nature tending to show
that she feared the dire result of her
felonious misdemennor.
The girl was driven to the Office OF
Judge Stafford at the Northern National
Bank, and the hearing opened without
delay There were few present in the
court room aside from the Officials of
the school. Flora Mcdonald, who con-
fesses that she was the tool Of Ella
Harvey and actually set the fire. was
present. to answer charges preferred
and the warrants for each of the girls
were indentical.
Ella Harvey being called she, re-
mained seated In her chair and listen
ed attentively to the reading Of the
warrant. At the close. her plea of
mot guilty was given to the court
without q tremor. The girl was in
formed by the court that she was at
liberty to make any statement that she
desired; that if anything was said to
incriminate herself, the same would be
used against her at her trial
Miss Mcdonald testified in substance
as follows: Had talked with Ella con-
siderably, and she 0Ella) had told her
that she wanted to get away from the
school and go to Havana. Ella told her
that she knew where there was money
in the Matron's room. and if it could
be secured she (Ella) would go. Ella
had talked to her a good deal about
setting the building afire. On the
morning of the fire, they had short
talk.
All of the girls were to be at work
in the wash room that day. Ella
thought that they were to have fire
in the wood stove. but hearing that
the large Oil stove was to be used
asked her (Flora) to tip it over Told
Ella that that would never do. The
girls would have hard work to escape
and they would lose all of their clothes;
the fire would go up rapidly and Miss
Brown could not save anything.
She was coming down stairs and Ella
told her her plans. viz: That she would
give her (Flora) a match and some
kerosene, and that she must go up to
the attic and set fire to mattress
which was a short distance from the
stairway. on the clothes press. Ella
explained that in the confusion she
would be able to go into the parlor and
get the money. She OFlora) set the fire
according to Elias directions. She had
talked with no other girl about the fire.
Had never heard Ella talk with any
body about the fire.
Attorney Beane queried: What
made you set the fire." the girl sat as
II in deep thought, but did not ans
wer the question.
What did she (Ella) say" no ans
wer for a time but then said that she
(Ella) wanted money to go to Havana.
Did she tell you anything else?''
No answer.
Miss Charlotte NJ Brown testified:
Is matron Of school No. /. She stated
that she had closely watched all un-
trustworthy girls. Had particularly
looked after Ella Harvey as she was
aware of her vicious character She
was not allowed out of sight OF the Of
ficials of the school. and although the
thought OF her setting fire to the build
ing did not occur to them, they felt
that she would do most anything in
order to make good her escape Ella
was considered a good worker and on
Feb 2, (the date OF the fire. was told
to 60 down into the ironing room with
another girl. to work.
Ella seemed bright, pleasant and
agreeable girl. She ironed clothes here
for some time and did not leave the
room only to step into the hall to place
clothes on the horse there. 1t was
bathing day for the children and Flora
was sent up to her room for her bath.
ing clothes. Ella admitted that she
laid plains but said that she did not
give Flora any kerosene or matches
Flora voluntarily told her (Mis:
Brown about the fire. Flora's pecu.
lipr demeanOr was noticed. She wa:
by no means. an affectionate child bu
she Miss Brown was impressed by
her actions. thinking that perhaps she
was homesick. having been away from
her home about a year.
After time she Miss Brown) be
came convinced that the fire did no
originate from a defective chimney o.
from spontaneous combustion, and sh,
worked night and day to solve tn,
mystery. Flora's frightened manne
was more noticeable when the fire wa
the subject of the conversation. ant
one day on being asked if she set tn
hre replied that she did not.
Soon after she (Miss Brown had
talk with Flora. commencing the con
Versation by Nov Flora. tell me al
about it," Flora hesitated and in
moment burst into tears saying II will
tell you as it is" Her story has bee,
given. Ella confessed having laid m
plans
Miss Harvey stated to the court tha
she did not give Flora the Kerosene
MISS Harvey was bound over in 5000
10 await the