The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1905-02-11

dark and stormy nights he left his
home. with flaming torches. and SOLD
his manhood and soul for few paltry
dollars. 10 he gained when the robbed
insurance companies paid the policies
ON the buildings consumed
Al present Pnge is Willing away his
time with secret service guard con-
stantly watching him for members Cd
the conspiracy have vowed TO take his
life for the disclosures he made.
Fire Marshall Takes Hand.
The first visit 10 West Unity Of Walter
Payne, who was. during the tprestira-
tion. assistant fire marshal, viii never
be FORGOTTEN by him II was by the
slightest chance that be ran into
shred of evidence which, followed up
from q hundred different directions.
! finally brought the hoped-for results.
! CLYDE Persing uf West Unity. was In
deiYted To q Toledo firm In rather large
amount. and neglectipg payment, be
was drawn upon. Hectured by TIE nc
( tim IN presenting DRAFT 10 him for pay
mcnt Persing lost his temper, and
threw care 10 the winds. At that time
he conducted u small restaurant in
building owned by Mrs. Winifred
AGulph The night after the draft came
I To him the restaurant burned. That was
in July of 1902 SO bold was the action
of the man that il could not fail 10
arouse the suspicion Of Mr.. Payne, and,
within few days. he visited tht village.
He had nor been there more han q Few
minutes beiore his presence vRs tipped
of 10 the Leaders Of the gang. Homer
Morrison was there NJ the time. and MS
trusty lieutennnts made him aware 81
the fact that the fire marshal was In the
village. Payne desired 10 talk with
Frederick Miller. the only banker Of the
town. and WHO was the agent for nearly
al the insurance companies which had
policies placed in the vicinity. The mar
shal went 10 the bank and, to his sur
prise, the brazen scouts actually fol-
lowed him. in their attempt 10 learn the
exact nature Of his business Even Nor
rison fearless because be thought his
dignity III the community protected him
from suspicion list ensd with eaEerDess
10 what the marshal sAid and then en-
trusted the work Of shRdowing Payne TO
less distinguished men in the PRIZES
sion
The officer finally succe dtd in fvad-
ing the fellows Oh has trail End held
long conference with Miller. and other
prominent men who he had learned,
had suffered because pf their honesty in
refusing 10 participate in the depreda-
lions. From citizens Of this class be
learned much. and his suspicious that
the restaurant fire was q an inesndi8ry
nature were strengthened
But, 10 his great surprise be was IN
able 70 get one Of the Den assembled
there 10 mention the name Of single
person VINO might possibly, be con-
necttd They actually feared the con
sequences thar would come WHEN il was
discovered that they gave inflammation
Appeal 10 their manlineEs was unavail-
ing. They were thoroughly covea by
the threats. They feared their lives
would he the forfeit FOR divulgirg any
o. their secrets. Payne pointed out the
seriousness III the crime Of arson, and
showed them the criminal statutes pro-
vldinr Imprisonment Tor 90 wears. OF
convicted firebugs but they still refused
To talk, but relEted events OF the past
and described how TIE ERne had sue
ceeded, even al elections To pCll votes
enough To LAND candidate s who would
moi prosecute them
Policy of the Citizens.
Such was Paynes first visit 10 the
actual scene of operations He left dis
gusted with the mer who posed as rep
resentative citizens Of the community
But his subsequent visits changed his
mind. He understood after learning all
about the manner of men who were do
ing the Gastartlly work. why ii WIS mol
icy for lHw-Rbiding citizens 10 keep their
mouths closed when the law offered
them no little protection.
That was tine proposition to be worked
out. and the necessity of keen detective
work was AT once apparent
With problem of this magnitult
expenditure of much money is neces-
sary, and when Payne reported his find
ings and suspicious 10 the state Depart
msnt in Columbus. il was at once de-
cided that funds should he provided. II
II. hollenDeck was detailed TO assist in
the work. and from Toledo. and BRYAN.
the work wRs carried on not for GAYS. or
weeks or months. bu for years.
Jnck Fege Confesses.
Lnck favured the officers. Cnfor-
tunate JACK Pase-kis declining years
rendering him unfit for active service
was in the WY ufSthe younger members
Of the gang They resolved to put MIN cut
of the way. Murder was OUT If tbs
question, Ohe was hirel TO burn barn
in Michigan, end Morrison still possess-
Ing the sagncity pf his younger years SO
ARRANGED tiiings that the officers from
Michigan had IN easy task to track
Page from the barn to his home in Ohio.
There they found set of harness thu,
Page had stolen from the destroyed
barn. ant ne was canght almost RID
hsndsd. ~ the Michigan courtroom he
was an obiecr vi pity. Some investiea-
tion had been made, and il Was known