The Tupelo journal., 1905-02-17

the restaurant fire was of an incendiary
nature were strengthened.
But, to his great surprise, he was un-
able to get nj Of the men assembled
there, to mention the name of a single
person who might. possibly, be con-
nected. They actually feared the con-
sequences that would come, when it was
discovered that they gave information.
Appeal to their manliness was unavall-
ing. They were thoroughly cowed by
the threats. They feared their lives
would be the forfeit for divulging any
of their secrets. Payne pointed out the
seriousness of the crime of arson, and
showed them the criminal statutes, pro-
viding imprisonment for 20 years, OF
convicted firebugs, but they still refused
to talk. but related events of the past.
and described how the gang had sue
ceeded. even at elections, to poll votes
enough to land candidates who would
not prosecute them.
Policy of the Citizens.
Such was Payne's first visit to the
actual scene of operations. He left, dis
gusted with the men 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 dastardly work, why it was pol
icy for ~law-abiding citizens to keep their
mouths closed, when the law offered
them so little protection.
That was the proposition to be worked
out, and the necessity of keen detective
work was at once apparent.
With a problem of this magnitude.
expenditure Of much money is neces-
sary. and when Payne reported his find
| inos and suspicious to the state depart
ment in Columbus. it was at once de-
| cided that funds should be provided. Il.
H. Hollenbeck was detailed to assist i'll
the work, and, from Toledo, and Bryan,
the work was carried on, not fer days, or
weeks, or months, but for years.
Jack Page Confesses.
Luck favored the officers. Unfor-
tunate Jack Page-his declining years
rendering him unfit for active service
was in the way of the younger members
| Of the gang. They resolved to put him out
of the way. Murder was out Of the
question. so he was hired to burn a barn
in Michigan, and Morrison, still possess
ing the sagacity of his younger years, so
arranged things that the officers from
| Michigan had an easy task to track
Page from the barn to his home in Ohio.
There they found a set of harness that
Page had stolen from the destroyed
barn. and he was caught almost red
handed. In the Michigan courtroom he
was an object of pity. Some investiga-
ton had been made, and it was known
that the captured man was but one of a
gang of many more.
Page. you tell us about your compan-
ions. and you will be allowed to so Free
the judge informed him.
"Oh, you want me to either turn states
evidence and get free that way, or take
my medicine if | just confess my own
crime and keep my face closed about the
Others" was the quick retort,
That's it exactly" the judge said.
"Ill take my medicine" Page said,
and he took it, for three years behind
the prison doors of the Michigan peni-
tertiary.
When the convict was finally released
and he returned to his Ohio pals, he was
rudely shocked. Instead of being re-
ceived with open arms, he was made the
object of ScOrn and cOntemnt
why" Page said, 81 could have sent
all of you to HI, but kept my tongue
and non of you was p%inched.'
Put the dog out of the way, he is ex-
cess baggage" Morrison said, and Page
never forgot the insult. He left with
the parting admonition that he would
some day get even, and he has, for Nor
rison is serving in the penitentiary, and
| a score OF his cronies have been indicted,
a dozen found guilty and sent to prison.
while Page breathes free air, and will
| probably live the rest of his days outside
of prison walls.
The barriers in the way OF a confession
by Page were broken by Jim Saunders,
a respected West Unity man. Saunders
and Page were boys together, when they
left England, the country of their birth,
to try their fortunes in America. Saun-
ders grew up in The straight and narrow
path, living as be had been taught to
live. Page forgot the good teachings OF
his youth. The officers got the two men
together, Saunders well posted as to his
duty. He resolved to do all he could to
assist in wringing a confession from the
old firebug. But this at first seemed to
be useless, for Page, wary to the last,
evaded the efforts to get at the truth.
Arrest of Page was finally necessary.
and he was taken to Toledo, where the
sweatbox was to be tried On him. Saun-
ders accompanied him. The good man
denounced the irebugs, talked of the
days Of long ago, when both stood on the
threshold, with an even chance at the
world. They had reached nearly the al
lotted three score and ten. The one was
an honest man; the other was a criminal
Of the worst type. A few rounds OF drinks