St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1905-03-18

the restaurant fire was of an incendiary
nature were strengthened.
But, TO his great surprise, he was un-
able to get one of the men assembled
there, to mention the name of 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 unavail-
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
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
ings and suspicious to the state depart
ment in Columbus, it was at once de-
cided that funds should be provided. II.
H. Hollenbeck was detailed to assist in
the work, and, from Toledo, and Bryan,
the work was carried on, not for 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 barn
in Michigan, and Morrison, still possess
ing the sagacity of his younger years, so
things that the officers from
Michigan had an easy task to track
Page from the barn to his home in Ohio.
There they found 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 go 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.
"1'll take my medicine" Page said
md he took it, for three years behind
The prison doors of the Michigan peni-
entiary.
When the convict was finally released
md he returned to his Ohio pals, he was
udely shocked. Instead of being re-
,eived with open arms, he was made the
object OF scorn and contempt.
Why" Page said, II could have sent
IL OF you to HI, but kept my tongue
nd none of you was pinched"
Put the dog out of the way, he is ex-
ess baggage" Morrison said, and Page
lever forgot the insult He left with
he parting admonition that he would
ONE day get even, and he has, for Nor
ison is serving in the penitentiary, and
score of his cronies have been indicted.
dozen found guilty and sent to prison,
lille Page hreathes free air. and will
robably live the rest of his days outside
prison walls.
Inc barriers in the way OF confession
Page were broken by Jim Saunders.
respected West Unity man. Saunders I
nd Page were boys together, when they
III england, the country of their birth,
try their fortunes in America. Saun- !
ers grew up in the straight and narrow
atm, living as he had been taught to
We. Page forgot the good teachings of
is youth. The officers got the two men
'sether, Saunders we'll posted as to his
lty. he resolved to do all he could to
'slst IN Wringing a confession from the
q hrebug. But this at first seemed to
useless, for Page, wary to the last,
'aded the efforts to get at the truth.
Arrest of Page was finally necessary,
ID ne was taken to Toledo, where the
'eatoox was to be tried on him. Saun-
rs accompanied him. The good man
'hounced the firebugs, talked Of the
US OF long ago, when both stood on the 6
resnoid, with an even chance at the
ofio They had reached nearly the al 4
TIED three score and ten. The one was y
honest man; the other was criminal 9
the worst type. A few rounds of drinks :