The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1901-02-15
REQUIsITI0N
Papers Are Issued For
Frank Ertle
THE ALLEGED FIRE BUG
Who Is Charged With Attempt.
inq to Cremate His Wife
and Children.
From a Staff Correspondent.

EOIi u oldu SOITSSDOuucht.
Columbus, Feb. 13.-Requisition
papers have been issued by Governor
Nash for the extradition of Frank J.
Ertle, formerly of Massillon. who Is
under arrest at Muncie, Ind. charged
with arson by State Fire Marshal s.
ID. Hollenbeck. Ertle will probably
be brought back to Stark county this
week and placed in jail to await the
action of the grand jury. The fire
marshal has strong proof that Ertle
tried to do away with his wife and
children, and 1t is exceedingly prob
able that the man will be compelled
to answer a more serious charge than
the one against him in the affidavit
sworn to by the fire marshal.
Ertle at different periods served as
policeman, constable and merchants
watchman in Massillon. He deserted
his family nearly two years ago and
until trapped by detectives his where
abouts since had been generally un-
known. AS was stated in yesterdays
News-Democrat, he is charged with
setting fire to his dwelling on May 4,
1898. While investigating the Wag-
oner case, but short time ago, AS
sistant Fire Marshal H. ii. Hollenbeck
learned in an unusual way of the Ertle
fire. He looked into the matter deeper
and the information he secured put
Ertle in bad light and led to war
rant being sworn out for his arrest
The fire marshal put Mrs. Ertle on
the stand and at first she demurred
at testifying against her husband, but
upon being informed that she would
have to tell all she knew of the case,
she held back nothing. The fire oc-
CURED at night and was discovered by
Mrs. Ertle, who, with her children,
had great difficulty in escaping with
their lives. They managed to reach
the roof and alarm the neighbors, who
brought. ladders and effected a rescue.
Mrs. Ertle carried her youngest child,
babe, In her arms.
If her husband was around at the
time he kept out of sight. The fire
was put out, the damage not exceeding
500. The insurance companies settled
the loss. Mrs. Ertle, it is said, suspect
ed that her husband started the fire
and believed his object was to cpemate
herself and the children, four in mum
Der. Ertle lived with his wife for q
short timesafter the fire took place and
then sold the property for 81 800. He
promised to give the money to his wife,
but he did not do this and left the
city for parts unknown. About the
same time Tillie Andrews disappeared
and 1t was thought they left together.
Marshal Hollenbeck declares that the
pair has been living in Muncie Their
actions before leaving Massillon are
said to have been scandalous. causing
town talk.
There is nothing to show that Ertle
was ever divorced from his wife at
children was under a-.year and the
eldest about 12.
Mrs. Ertle had supported these and
herself by what domestic labor she
could get. When Fire Marshal Hollen-
beck saw her she was scrubbing the
floor of store. She has an excellent
reputation. Marshal Hollenbeck will
not give out at this time the most
important testimony which came from
Mrs. Ertle.
Ertle was the proprietor of the
Eagle hotel in Muncie. He kept sa-
loon in Massillon for a tine after lie
gave up his o II :, Il duties. The FIRE
in his house started in the bedroom.
Prosecutor Day is assisting the fire
marshal in the case. E,rtle is about 81
years old. District DEPUTY Henry ".
Hart, of Akron, will arrive here today
with the evidence taken at the court
of inquiry held 10 investigate the
case.
The fire marshal will continue his
operations in Stark and adjoining
counties until complete stop Is put
to incendiary acts.