davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1905-06-03
'It's slim chance, " muttered the de-
tective, "but still it may lead to some
thing"
CHAPTER vi.

LIFE AFTER DEATH
At eight o'clock In the evening OF this
same Friday, Medical Examiner Jar
rett sat at his desk in the office at his
house. busily writing.
upon making careful and complete
examination of the body OF the man
named Paul North, find that ball,
probably fired from revolver of 30
caliber, at an angle of probably 20 de-
grees, and from distance not exceed
ing three feet, entered his back near the
spinal column at the seventh intercostal
space on the right side, and passed in an
inward and upward direction, going
through the upper portion of the liver
and completely through the lower lobe
of the right lung.
''The path of the ball was not arrest
ed, showing that it was fired in the di-
rection indicated. 1t pierced the lung
nearly opposite the third rib and left
the body on the front side, just above
the rib named.
81 do not find that the said Paul North
could have committed suicide. The po-
sition of the entrance of the ball, and
its direction, seemed to deny this pos
sibility
Continued in Next Issue).
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1905-06-03
caught at the railing, threw up her
arms and fell like log to the floor
So indeed this stoical woman was
made of flesh and blood!
CHAPTER V

AND WHO is THE AFORESAID MARIE?
Detective John Lamm, whose ex-
perience had rendered his views of life
rather more broad than the prosy
theorist who judges the world from
MS commonplace associates, was not
unaware of the existence of the emo.
tional drama IN real life.
The scene which he had just wit
messed did not therefore seem incred-
ible in itself, but the time and cir
cumstances at and in which it had oc-
CURED rendered it, in John Lamm's
estimation, of a most peculiar and
astounding nature. AS yet his ideas
were too disorderly and confused to
enable him to draw logical deductions.
The moment had not yet come for
theories and explanations. He could
only stand still with bated breath and
rapid pulse and await the outcome of
the strange situation.
When Marion tainted Stella, pale
and trembling, and looking very unlike
her smiling and roguish self, as the
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1905-06-03

an effort to conceal his establishment.
Il must say cannot conceive by what
possibility you become possessed of
that name. But since you have, must
remind you that you are working for
me, and that whatever information you
obtain ends with me. Nobody beyond
us is to know syllable. You under
stand that?"
Il should be wholly ignorant of my
business if | did not
Very we'll. But about this Moissot
woman"
and, by the way, how do you spell
that, Mr.. Fetridge?"
Fetridge spelled the name and Mr..
Lamm wrote it down, smiling at his own
mistake.
"French?"
"It's Creole name, believe
"OA, to be sure. And have you any
idea of her whereabouts at this time?"
"She was in New York five years ago.
cannot say-though Mr.. Stackhouse,
who may find it convenient to keep track
of her, perhaps can-what has become
of her.
The two men looked at each other.
WELL" said Fetridge,. impatiently,
why do you ask me this? What pos
sible connection can she have with this
case?"
Not caring to betray himself by an
swering this question, John Lamm
deemed it prudent to withdraw.
II have barely time to catch the train
back" he exclaimed, hurriedly glancing
at his watch in the fading light. "I'll
talk with you later, Mr.. Fetridge.'
When at last, after long conference
with the inside man" Of the late Paul
North, he was in the train on his way
back to the city, he began writing an ad-
vertisement to be forwarded to CORE
spondent in New York for insertion in
the daily papers there.
Marie Moissot!- Any information as
to whereabout of Marie Moissot will be
literally rewarded by the undersigned
The lady herself will learn something
to her advantage by addressing 49,
\ -
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1905-06-03

was not far to the seaside residence of
Richard Fetridge. In five minutes
after leaving Marion's presence he was
bowling before the astonished Fetridge,
whom he met on the veranda over
looking the ocean.
you here?"
$50 it would seem, Mr.. Fetridge."
"And what can you have discovered
SO soon?"
"I'll tell you. 1t is simple clew and
may not lead to much Still / must
beg leave to ask your assistance.
wish to put question, STIMULATING that
see, | am not ready to make a report
yet"
Fetridge slightly frowned. Evident
! ly he did not relish mysteries.
TASK your question, Mr.. Lamm"
who is Marie Moyso?"
Fetridge sprang up with a force that
overturned his chair.
The deuce!" he calculated. "How
came you by that name?"
"Ho, ho!" quoth John Lamm in his
mind. This gentleman does not
guard his secrets so we'll as the lady
yonder."
II must remind you, Mr.. Fetridge,'
he returned, quietly, that you were
not to ask questions. Still, l don't
mind telling you that the woman
seems to be in some way connected
with our friend Stackhouse."
"Humph! shall begin to regard you
as a wizard, rather than detective
] Mr.. Lamm." Fetridge remarked. with
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1905-06-03

"a name is all need to speak," re-
sponded Marion, scorn and contempt
expressed in every word: Marie
,Moissot!"
/. The name burst from Marion's lips
Like the accusation Of an avenging an
gel. 1t is probable that Stackhohse
staggered under the force Of the blow.
Mr.. Lamm, who,,. without an instant's
, delay, turned his attention to putting
that understanding name upon paper
("Marie Moyso" he wrote it), did not
see him again for brief space; and in
that time he may have slightly recov-
cred from the first violence of his be-
trayed emotions. He was still agitated
enough in all conscience. This man
Thornton Stackhouse, whom Lamm
well knew to be in his ordinary walk
of life no more self-betraying than the
polished surface of mirror, had been
SO affected and overwhelmed by what
his wife had said to him that he was
weaker than child He tried to
shake off his growing terrors. He. en-
deavored to smile, to laugh, to pass
over the affair as joke, but the effort
was a CHASTITY failure.
"Marion!" he murmured. Marion!
Who has told you? What scoundrel
has maligned me to my own wife,"
Silence, sir! l am not your wife,
This was my fathers house. Either
you or / must leave it. Which?
Choose this minute"
Marion! Calm yourself, beseech
you! Think OF the effect, the occasion,
the time Who knows what people
would say?"
81 do not care, sir. If you do, you
should have thought Of it before. 1t is
too late now"
He turned his white face towards
her. Lamm marked plainly in the am
pie light how his lips trembled, how
his eyes cleaned.
Marion" he said, in fierce under
tone, ARE you enough mistress Of
yourself to think what my leaving this
house at such a time will mean to
the gossips? Can you not see that
even I might be accused of completely
in your fathers death?"
"And who should be If you are
not?" the woman retorted, in vibrant
tone that pierced the detectives ears
like thunderbolt. There were stimuli
taneous cries from her three visible
auditors.
For. several seconds after his wife
had delivered herself of this terrible
taunt Thornton Stackhouse seemed
vainly eudeavoring to articulate-
Then with sudden movement he
seized his hat and turned to the door.
The voice which now came to him was
so unlike his natural tones that Lamm
would not have recognized it had the
speaker been out of view.
$50 be it," he said. Nobody will
ever know what this is to me or how
+ have loved you, Marion. But so be
it. II my own wife turns from me
who will have mercy on me?"
The door opened and closed violent.
| ly behind the partner of the late Paul
North.
Did he speak for effect or were the
emotions that inspired his words gen.
uine? 1t Is certain that the amazed
detective became strongly prejudiced
| in his favor.
There was an interval of silence, and
then flutter of skirts and white
white face appeared at the foot of tbs
stairs. Lamm knew at once thai
that proud, imperious countenance, the
scornful red mouth, the flashing blue
eyes, belonged to Marion Stackhouse
But, great powers! could that be hel
natural expression? And then he saw
what was the matter. She reeled
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1905-06-03

rheumatism, govt, backache, acid
poison are results of kidney trouble.
HOLSTERS Rocky Mountain Tea goes
directly to the seat of the disease and
cures when all else fails. 35 cents. w.
L. Sargent, the True Druggist
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1905-06-03

The average man would be quite sat
isfied if it were possible for him to Sc.
cure position as retired captain Of
industry on half pay
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1905-06-03
Drives An Before 1t.

Aches and pains fly before Bucklen's
Arnica Salve. Go do Sores, Pimples.
Boils, Corns and Piles, or no pay. Csc
F. B. Clark.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1905-06-03
The Blind Made to See and the Lame to

5y WORKER Who Offers Free Charge AZ Who Stand
and Afieted-No Disease He Not Cure !.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1905-06-03

iseaded by This Man Who Heals Diseases
Be lncurahle
Waterbury evening Democrat., 1905-02-16
BAND OF OHIO FIREBUGS
 BROUGHT TO JUSTICE HAVE PERFORMED PORTION OF THE
 STATE FOR LAST THIRTY YEARS. MANY PROMINENT MEN ARE INVOLVED
State Officials Were Baffled Until They Se- cured the Confession of Eighty Year-Old Jack Page. After Which Indict-
 ments followed Rapidly.
History of This Remarkable Band of lncendiaries and Their Methods of Operation Boldness Marked Every Move Desire for Revenge on the Part
 of Page Finally Caused Ther Exposure.

night. A dual existence it was, with church worship an outward sign of the piety in their bosoms. Nothing es- capped. Schoolhouses were fired with impunity. just as willingly as were farmhouses; stores and barns made the objects of their incendiarism, for one class of timber made as pretty a flame as another.
 Made Arson Business.
 AS far as known, only one of the band made arson business. just to see things burn This was Freddy Bowman, a genuine pyromaniac, whose lust for adventure induced him to set fire to the Methodist church in Stryker, o. From small shed nearby he watched the flames devour the small structure. Taken in because he was young and precocious, he was entrusted with small jobs. where the risk of de- tection was not great, and where he would be given opportunity to become proficient in the art, and ultimately de- velop into talented firebug. One night, without orders from his superi- ors, he touched off the church, and his subsequent apprehension and confes- sion almost ensnared the remainder of the gang But, so high in the commu- nifty did the ringleaders stand. the ad- missions of the youth were pronounced falsehoods, and nobody but the officers placed faith in them. Not until within the last year, when the boys confes- sion was substantiated. did it become public that his arrest was one of the first of an organization of men who all lowed the commission of no crime, however enormous, to stand between them and the money they coveted.
 The traveller unacquainted with the happenings of past years would see lit tie in the scared country nowadays to attract his attention. The fre-destroyed buildings have been replaced with new structures and, under the protection of the state fire marshal, protection has been given sufficiently to allow i'm provements. But the time was when every man. woman and child stood in mortal fear of the gang One man could hardly speak confldentially to his
Waterbury evening Democrat., 1905-02-16

Friendly to him than another would have selected Morrison. But Morrison saw his chance and his wicked mind could not be restrained by mere bonds of friendship.
 The night of the assault dismal rain and cutting wind. almost blinding all who chanced to be out, kept nearly everybody in the village indoors. Ayers had played his usual game of cards and was on his way home. Nor risons men spotted him, signaled Ely, who was lying in ambush. and when Ayers came to the designated spot he found two big guns thrust in front of his face.
 Ely was behind them, well masked. Your dough, please" was all the ac- complished stick-up man said.
 Ayers reached for an old-fashioned Colt revolver that he had. by mere chance. put into his pocket before leaving home. Afterwards he said that Morrison's admonition made him suspicious.
 As he pulled the gun there were two sharp reports as streaks of flame poured from the barrels of the guns Ely held. Ayers fell with a groan Tine noise of the shooting attracted people of the town, and in a momen, or two several were hurrying to the scene.
 Flight of the Murderer. Ayers had fallen in such a manner that his wallet. filled with bills. could not be reached and Ely was obliged to scud away in the darkness. leaving the prostrate body of Ayers to be found by the villagers. Hasten ns 10 Nor rison's barn he found that arsonist be. side himself with rage.
 Why did you snOo;2 Why didn't you belt him over the head?r he asked Ely.
 Shut up. you fool. had to shoot or he would have got me" Ely replied coOlIy: and what's worse. didn't have time to get the money"
 Morrison. oowsrdly even In crime wanted to leave Ely to his own fate The Kansas City crook. however. was too old at the business. You got me | into it. nov get me out. or there-ll b. somebody else beside me sent up for this little job" was his admonition and it vas up to Morrison to furnish the assistance
 With the help cf a farm hand uhC afterwards confessed. Morrison rail- roaded Ely several miles away. where he vas to remain for a week or tvo but a posse of indignant citizens pressed too closely on his trail ant immediate escape was necessary Flee ing before the officers and farmers Elyis escape. as subsequently, describes by himself. was one 90 hazardous tha he does not to-day know how ti' shower of bullets sent after hin failes to end hss life Wi.h the horses push
Waterbury evening Democrat., 1905-02-16

Arrested George fletcher, Alleged
 Incendiary, Now on Trial.
 been kept. The insurance companies have paid, 1t is estimated, more than $1,600, 900 to the members of the gang.
 Homer Morrison and Jack Page were indicted nearly dozen times, principal ly for arson April 2, 1878, they burned Morrison's home, and got the insurance. Morrison hired Page for that job. A lit- tie later, Page was duped into burning John Keller's property. west of West Unity. Then Keller. trapped because he employed Morrison to do the dirty work, was forced into the gang. and he became one of the worst of the lot. He was in. dicted several times for aiding Morrison and Page. October 13. 1903. he pleaded guilty to arson, and served year in the penitentiary.
 Waldo Ely, Morrison. Wesley Ship. man and Frank Colon, all of whom par. ticipated in the attempt on Samuel Ay. CTS life. were indicted. Morrison got ten years in the penitentiary, Shipman two. and Ely one.
 Ia 1895, new men were taken into the fold, and their work resulted in the in- dictment of Harry Kirkendall. William Bonner, Freddie Bowman. Charles Smith. William Davidson. and . half dozen others. Most of them confessed. and were given sentences ranging from one to four years In prisou. William Matthews was another of the later day criminals. He was sentenced to serve two years. Newton 0mey. Jackson swisher. Charles Hultzberg and one or two more are still at large. having fled from the state. They have remained away. fearing to take the consequences of their actions.
 Even with the excellent work already accomplished. the state believes 1t has not done its full duty. More prominent men are to be dragged from their high pinnacle in society. and their work of the past exposed 10 the public view. Some have ceased to be active partic!. , pants in the saturnaliua of crime. and are leading respectable existerces. But their reformation vilI not carry them through the present storm of justica They must answer for their misdeeds, and the confessions. being made almost | daily. will cause their downfall. and none but their dissrace6 families can en. JOY the fruit of their III gotten wealth
Waterbury evening Democrat., 1905-02-16

Toledo-Northweste Ohio, with its pretty farms and prosperous landown- CTS, is nearing the end of a reign ot terror of 30 years, during which time a gang of incendaries, hungry for sud dens wealth, have desecrated it's beauty with flaming torches, and committed almost every crime on the calendar. from the smallest burglary to attempt ed murder.
 Criminal history tells no story of events so blood-curdling as those which have shocked the residents of this section in the last quarter century. The widest dime-novel dreamer could hardly imagine so terrible melodrama as has been acted by this conspiracy of mercenary firebugs. Revelations made in the past few weeks, by confes- sion, and investigation by state off cers, are so startling as to be almost unbelievable. Against one man have been returned 12 indictments, against another there are ten and lucky indeed is the member of the organization who escaped with only a single true bill for the work of the state has been thor ough and the laws firm hand has been laid with unrelenting vigor on those known to be connected with the organ ization.
 Only a Beginning.
 With the 40 or more indictments however, it is believed that only a good beginning has been made. Deep under the surface, it is known that more disclosures, still more startling are to come. Those men effected by investigation now completed, fully con. scious that their long terms in prison will effectually prevent them from par. ticipation in more work. have shown @ disposition to tell at least some of the secrets. and, with the aid of these admissions. Williams and Fulton coun. ties. where the more exciting events have transpired. are determined to punish all the guilty, and remove the stain of dishonor which has been made upon them by their tardiness in ferret. ing out the criminals.
 Thirty years ago. Jack Page, one oi the most daring and notorious of the
Waterbury evening Democrat., 1905-02-16

s easy picking for detectives. mus n was that Page, the stoic, revealed the inner workings of the gang which had terrorized the community for years. Names were mentioned, and when the disclosures were substantiated by fur ther investigation, the grand juries of Williams and Fulton counties were kept busy for months. indicting men connect. ed with the conspiracy.
 Number of Fires Unknown.
 Nobody knows how many fires wers caused by the torches of these criminals. The number is more than hundred, but more accurate count than that has not
Waterbury evening Democrat., 1905-02-16

lected only after the greatest efforts. Now and then. indications would ap- pear on the surface of what was really happening. and it was from these small clues that the detectives finally un- earthed the chief conspirators and turned them over to the law for pun ishment.
 Of this gang of fearless criminals, Homer Morrison, once respected son of well-to-do parents. was the leader His cunning brain devised most of the daring jobs during the long years he and his pals worked, unmolested. burn ing any building for which the owner paid the required fee. Once a man employed the arsonists to transact business. he was in their meshes, for, If he was not aware that he vas just as liable to punishment as if he had applied he torch. he was so informed. and thus became an addition to the ranks.
 The Killing of Ayers.
 It was Morrison's avarice that re. suited in the concoction of a plot to kill Samuel Ayers, November 27, 1897. Ayers was wealthy cattleman, who lived near West Unity, a small village in Williams county. The old fellow was peculiar. believed everybody his friend. and feared harm from 70 one Every Friday. as regularly as that day came each week. he visited the little bank in the village. drew out from si,500 to 5000 with which to trans act business the week following.
 Morrison was Ayers best fIend. to all appearances. One night. Morrison casually asked the oattleman why he never carried a revolver for protection.
 Whats the use?" Ayers asked. Nobody knows have money in my pockets but my friends. and I trust every one of them.'
 Within a week Morrison. fearing to do the job himself. imported Jim Ely, a Kansas City crook. who was to hold up Ayers and murder him if necessary to get the money. lily baked on the killing T have brother who will do that; he will be here soon" he :oId Morrison. and in two days C. Waldo Ely dropped in at West Unity. met Morrison in the latter's barn and the details of the crime were planned. Morrison's scouts watched Ayers. learned that he drew about S3.0J0 from the bank. and shadowed his every movement until the time came to strike
 Meanwhile Morrison remained a. home. conscious of the fact that half the swag was to be given him. that the division was to be made in his barn, where the plans for the robbery were made. and that Ely was to be -pianted- there gntil he found a good opportunity to escape
 Yet Morrison and the cattle buyer had been life long friends ard Ayers If he vas to choose any one man Dore
Waterbury evening Democrat., 1905-02-16

0rebugs. was a young man. possessed of a valuable farm and surrounded by friends who wished him only pros Derity. Homer Morrison. also young and well-to-do. was his neighbor. Whatever induced these two boys to leave the Puritanic path laid out for them by Christian parents cannot he explained. except in their greed for gold. But the desire to defraud came. and 2s years elapsed before it was satiated- Gathering as clansmen ap- parently honest and respectable farm CTS. the gang pursued its course. stop Ting at nothing. making insurance companies its prey. and pouIcing upon them every time an occasion presented itself
 Working as norCred men ty day, shey became the vilest desperaGoes by
Waterbury evening Democrat., 1905-02-16

Indt me fTeDugs Are BeiLg ITleu- neighbor for fear that he would thus address a member of the organization and so jeopardize. not only his prop erty. but the lives of himself and fam fly. So high in social standing were the criminals that their identity was unknown. except in the inner circle. Once a building was fired. he who ap- piled the flames was covered with the garb of god citizenship. and even the bravest feared to point at him the fn- ger of suspicion. for such meant speedy revenge. A remark by one boasting farmer resulted in the burning of his barn the same night
 Task of State omcers.
 To hunt down such a lot of beings vas the task of state officers. The un- dertaking was known to be big and fraught with peril Evidence was col
Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1905-05-22
Lumber, Building and Kin.
dred Interests Involved in
Chicago Teamsters' Strike
employment of Close to Hundred Thousand
Men at Stake, Deputy Sheriff Shoots Into
Crowd, Fatally Injuring Frank Voelker Ex-
press Companies Stand Pat.

CHICAGO. May 22.--The spreading
OF the teamsters strike began prompt.
ly today. Thirty.six teamstes EN-.
ployed by one lumber company and
four by another were first forced into
the struggle following the refusal OF
the teamsters' joint council to endorse
the settlement provision arranged with
the employers by President Shea Of
the teamsters' union. Through the
threatened spread Of the strike to all
lumber dealers every branch of build.
Ing industry today was apparently
paralyzed. Indirectly dependent on
building material teamsters who are
allied with the lumbermen's team
sters. 1t is estimated today hung the
employment Of nearly hundred
thousand men in the yards. mills, fac
tories and on construction work.
Striker Fatally Shot.
CHICAGO, May 22--After crowd
of strike sympathizers had attacked
Michael Fitzgerald, a special deputy
sheriff and. followed him two blocks