davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1905-12-14
WORK IS PROGRESSING
Winter Won't Stop Operations on Norwich
and Westerly TreIIsy Line.

Work at the Norwich ent OF the trolley
line between Westerly and Norwich is
progressing I'm good shape. The contrac-
tor. T. j. Allen, states that construction
work will continue all winter and ex-
poets but little interruption.
large force OF men are now at work
and IL is hoped operations on the Wester-
ly end OF the line will be commenced this
week .,
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1905-12-14

We. the undersigned. DO hereby agree TO
refund the money on n ~ cent bottle OF
Greene's Warranted Syrup Of Tar N IL
fails 20 cure your cough or cold. We
also guarantee a 25 cent bottle TO prove
satisfactory or money refunded. Bland
ing a. Blanding. 60 Weybosset ST.; W. O.
Biandlng. IS No Main St. A. w Fenner
Jr 8b Greene ~ Kenyon Smith \ Co.
Il Exchange place. Geo. l.. Claim a Co,
r. V. o DOnnel.
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1905-12-14
EAST PROVIDENCE
Three Churches Held Successful
Entertainments.
Adjudged Insane and Sent to
the State Hospital.

Advertisements for The News may be
left at Alexander Munroes Boston Store,
Watchemoket square
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1905-12-14
The News Of the State
RIVERSIDE.
Life Savers viii Attend Social
lnPrOVidenCe Tomorrow Night.
firemen Plan Dance.

Items OF news can be left az Cons res
taurant on Bullock's Point avenue and
they will receive prompt attention and
publication.
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1905-12-14
0LNEYvILLE.
First Series In Knockout Checker
Tourney--Other Gossip.
Mysterious Disappearance Of
Miss Naary--GGn0raI Mention

Advertisements for The News may be
left at Heffernans News Stand. ID Hart
tord avenue.
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1905-12-14

Now" said the professor. describing
the work OF his class 20 Miss Ederberry,
we arc engaged
''Oh. are we How sudden" was her
reply as she snuggled up.--Hovston Post.
The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1905-12-14

T.. ArGrath and Company. Westminster
and Aborn streets are making some holi-
day offerings I'm the fur line. including
ermine and chinchila that should serve TO
attract the shoppers.
Chinchilla throw scarfs. pillow muffs.
Royal ermine throw scarfs mink throw
scarfs-all I'm the finest workmanship.
beautiful 60 the eye and serylceable, form
a large stock TO choose from.
They are also Offering ladies suit spe-
cials AZ the most reasonable prices-best
OF quality and the very latest cuts. When
you are making your holiday purchases
in the sensible lines pay ~. NJ Grath and
Company visit
NO man is indispensable"
we often say. but then
We cant 500 Why this should apply
To us like other men
Catholic standard and Times.
Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1905-02-10
State Officials Were Baffled Until They Sc
cured the Confession of Eighty Year-Old
Jack Page, After Which Indict-
ments Followed Rapidly.
History of This Remarkable Band of Hncendiaries
and Their Methods of observation-disclosures Marked
Every Move-A Desire for Revenge the Part
of Page Finally Caused Their Exposure.

night. A dual existence 1t 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 a Business.
AS far as known, only one Of the
band made arson a business, just to
see things burn. This was Freddy
Bowman, 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-
lection was not great, and where he
would be given opportunity to become
proficient in the art, and ultimately de-
velop into a talented firebug One
night, without orders from his superb
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 confess
sion was substantiated, did it become
public that his arrest was one of the
first of an organization of men who al
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 fire-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 confidentially to his
Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1905-02-10

pressed too closely on his trail and
immediate escape was necessary Flee
ing before the officers and farmers,
Ely's escape, as subsequently described
by himself was one so hazardous that
he does not to-day know how the
shower of bullets sent after him failed
to end his life. With the horses push
ing him to his utmost he came upon
farmer, driving peacefully along the
road. Stop or I'll shoot" he yelled.
The farmer pulled up. Paying no at
ten to the men following, quarter of
a mile behind, he stood behind the
agriculturist and ordered him to drive
like h, or I'll blow your bloody
brains out" Again the farmer obeyed.
Suddenly coming upon a dozen ditch
men directly in his path, all hope of
escape seemed TO be cut off, 1t was
then that the remarkable coolness of
the man and presence of mind as
serted themselves. Hurriedly jumping
from the wagon he cowed the crowd in
front with his revolver, calmly un-
hitched one of the horses and before
anybody knew lis intentions he had
jumped on the animals back and, with
half dozen shots, dashed on a mad
gallop to stretch of wooded land
three miles away. Reaching the
thicket he dismounted, turned the
horse loose and escaped from his pur-
suers. 1t was then that the plans of
Morrison to aid in the escape were
useful, for Ely found the home of Jack
Taylor, one of the gang, gave the pass
word, and was sheltered until he had
time to burglarize the residence of
William Schwartz, farmer, and ulti-
mately found his way to Kansas City.
Ely's Confession.
In the investigation of recent wears
the robbery of Ayers was looked into.
and information given by Jack Page
resulted in the apprehension of ELY.
He was brought to Williams county
from his residence in the west. and
when the evidence prepared by the
state fire marshal was shown him he
confessed to the deed, took the officers
over the route of his escape and veri-
ned all that had been related by Page
in his confession. He served one wear
in the Columbus (o). penitentiary for
his crime, justice having been side
tracked to some extent because he
turned states evidence and supplied
the officers with information which. In
part, resulted in the arrest and con.
viction of Morrison, who is now sery.
ing sentence of 80 years in prison.
Jack Page, irst in crime after Nor
rison, enjoys freedom because he CAV,
information of SO much value In hunt
ing down the hrebugs. A crippled oil.
, man now. he does not hesitate to sa,
that he cannot begin to remember hoy
many houses he fired, and how man.
Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1905-02-10

Toledo o.-Northwestern Ohio, with its
pretty farms and prosperous landown-
ers, Is nearing the end of reign OF
terror of 30 years, during which time
gang of incendaries, hungry for sud
den wealth, have desecrated its 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 f1rebugs. Revelations
made in the past few weeks, by confes-
sion, and investigation by state Off
GERS, are so startling as to be almost
unbelievable. Against one man have
been returned IL indictments, against
another there are ten and lucky indeed
Us the member of the organization who
escaped with only single true Dill,
for the work of the state has been thor
sough 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
7ticipation in more work, have skcwn
a disposition to tell at least some of
the secrets, and with the aid of these
admissions, Williams and Fulton coun-
tiles, 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 OF
Hhe most daring and notorious of the
Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1905-02-10

cess baggage" Morrison B,iu, 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 confession
by Page were broken by Jim Saunders,
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 he had been taught to
1--we. Page forgot the good teachings OK
his youth. The officers got the two men
together, Saunders we'll 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
swcatboX was to be tried on him. Saun-
derS accompanied him. The good man
denounced the firebugs, 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
In the Widdell hotel brought out admis-
sions from Page. Then he confessed to
some of his actions and asked Saunders
advice.
Tell the whole truth, you can't afford
to lie, now, jack" said Saunders, and
Page, seeing an opportunity to make
good the threat Of vengeance upon his
former pals, disclosed so much that
conference with the fire marshal was
arranged.
A man. conscious of the fact that his
criminal operations are even partially
known to those in authority, and wish
ing to bring upon his partners in crime
the punishment he had already suffered,
is easy picking for detectives. Thus it
was that Page, the stole, revealed tho
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 were
caused by the torches of these criminals.
The number is more than a hundred, but
more accurate count than that has not
Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1905-02-10

came each week, he visited the little
bank in the village, drew out from
$500 to $4,000 with which to trans
act business the week following.
Morrison was Ayers best friend, to
all appearances. One night, Morrison
casually asked the cattleman why he
never carried revolver for protection.
What's the use?" Ayers asked.
Nobody knows l have money in my
pockets but my friends, and l 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. Ely baked on the
killing. Il have brother who will do
that; he will be here soon" he told
Morrison, and in two days G. 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 $4,000 from
the bank, and shadowed his every
movement until the time came to
strike.
Meanwhile Morrison remained at
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
planted" there until he found a good
opportunity to escape.
Yet Morrison and the cattle buyer
had been life long friends, ard Ayers
| if he was to choose any one man more
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 disma
rain and cutting wind, almost binding
all who chanced to be out, kept nearly
everybody in the village indoors
Ayers had played his usual game o.
cards and was on his way home. Nor
rison's men spotted him. signallet
Ely. who was lying in ambush, ant
when Ayers came to the designated
spot he found two big guns thrust IL
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-fashione'
Colt revolver that he had, by mer
chance, put into his pocket befor
leaving home. Afterwards he sal
that Morrison's admonition made hir
suspicious.
AS he pulled the gun there were tw
J sharp reports as streaks of fam
poured from the barrels of the gun
Ely held. Ayers fell with a groaI
: The noise of the shooting attracte
Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1905-02-10

people of the town, and Sn a moment
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 ycud away in the darkness, leaving
the PROSTATE body of Ayers to be found
by the villagers. fastening to Nor
rison's barn he found that arsonist be-
side himself with rage.
why did you shoot? Why didn't
you belt him over the head?" he asked
Ely.
Shut up you fool, had to shoot
or he would have got me-" Ely replied,
coolly; "and what's worse, l didn't
have time to get the money"
Morrison, cowardly 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, now get me out, or therell be
somebody else beside me sent up for
this little job was his admonition,
and it was up to Morrison to furnish
the assistance
With the help of a farm hand who
afterwards confessed, Morrison rail-
roaded Ely several miles away, where
he was to remain for a week or two,
but a posse of indignant citizens
Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1905-02-10

been kept The insurance companies
have paid, it is estimated, more than
81, 500 900 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 Kellers 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 49, 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-
ers' life, were indicted. Morrison got
ten years in the penitentiary Shipman
two, and Ely one.
In 1895, new men were taken into the
fold, and their work resulted in the in
dictment OF Harry Kirkendall William
Bohner, Freddie Bowman, Charles
Smith, William Davidson, and a half
dozen others Most of them confessed,
and were given sentences ranging from
one to four years in prison. William
Matthews was another of the later day
criminals. He was sentenced to serve
two years. Newton Omey, 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 it 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 to the public view.
Some have ceased to be active partici-
pants in the saturnaliua of CRIME, and
are leading respectable existences. But
their reformation will not carry them
through the present storm of justice.
They must answer for their misdeeds.
and the confessions. being made almost
daily, will cause their downfall, and
none but their disgraced families can en-
JOY the fruit Of their i'll gotten wealth. 4
Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1905-02-10

adrebugs, was young man, possessed
of valuable farm and surrounded by
friends who wished him only pros
perity. 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 be
explained, except in their greed for
gold But the desire to defraud came,
and 25 years elapsed before 1t was
.satiated. Gathering as clansmen ap-
parently honest and respectable farm
-ers, the gang pursued its course. stop
ping at nothing. making insurance
companies its prey, and pouneing upon
them every time an occasion presented
itself
Working as honored men by day,
they became the yilest dsspsradoea by
Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1905-02-10

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
lily. So high in social standing were
the criminals that their identity was
unknown, except in the inner circle.
Once building was fired, he who ap-
piled the flames was covered with the
garb of good citizenship, and even the
bravest feared to point at him the fin
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 oficers.
To hunt down such lot of beings
was the task of state officers. The un-
dertaking was known to be big and
fraught with peril. Evidence was COL
Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1905-02-10

lected only after the greatest efforts,
Now and then, indications would sp-
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 a 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 man
employed the arsonists to transact
business, he was in their mesbes, for,
If he was not aware that he was just
as liable to punishment as if he had
applied the torch, he was so informed,
and thus became an addition to the
ranks.
The Killing of Ayers.
1t was Morrison's avarice that re-
suited in the concoction of plot to
kill Samuel Ayers, November 81, 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
Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1905-10-04

county, Mr.. PhilO MOhsher was laid to
rest last SATURDAY at the village cemetery
Old grandpa MOser as everybody used to
call him was a kind old gentleman and
though for sometime past was at the
hospital at Fond du Lac he will be
missed br everyone. He was born ApriI
23rd, 1914 at Stafford, Orange county
Vermont and has been resident Of Wis
c0ncin many years. He was married to
Bathia Burreff and out of this union
five children were born Of whom two
survive the deceased; Mrs. VIM Peters of
this village and Mr.. Geo. E. M0sher of
of Fond du lac. The out of town attend
ants were Mr.. and Mrs. Mathew Lander
Mrs. Frank Lauder of GAINESVILLE, Mr.
and Mrs. Geo. E. MOsher of Fond du lac
Mrs. c. D. Pearce of Fort AtkidsOn; Mrs
Chas. Meltzer Of Milwaukee and Mrs.
Chas Musheid of Hubbleton, Wis.
Messrs. Geo. Mosher, Geo. D. and Fred
c. Mansfield as we'll as all the relatives
wish to express their thanks through
these columns to all who were in attend
ance at the burial and especially to
those who kindly offered anb furnished
carriages. To tide bereaved we tender
our sympathy.
Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1905-10-04

Merrell last week W ednesday and expects
to stay week or two
Carl Schallert and family from Column
bus, were callers at their daughters
Mrs. IL. A. Seich and family one dey last
week.
John c. Grell was a business visitor
at Milwaukee last Mhursday.
Mr.. and Mrs. A. E. Greenwood ce.ebrat-
ed their Goth wedding anniversary last
Thursday and entertained number of
friends. Among those from out of town
were Mr.. and Mrs. f. j. Fargo and Mr..
and Mrs. Arthur Greenwood of Lake
Mills and Mr.. and Mrs. Chas. Pearce of
Fort Atkinson.
Mrs. Fred Jahnke from Fort Atkinson
spent last Saturday with friends in the
village.
Mr. and Mrs Albert Wrasse and boy
visited with relatives at Sharon the past
week.
H. E. Mueller spent Sunday with rel
atives at the Capitol.
Mr.. and Mrs, Ii. O. Meyers from Evans
vile, are at their daughters. Mrs. Will
Schallert. Mr.. Meyers is looking after
ois business interests here.
Lamphere the painter, who bought
out Will Kiltle in the spring, sold again
| to him and left town.
A few from here attended the baseball
between Lake Mills and the Cherokee
Indians at Lake Mills las4 Friday after
noon and evening.
Pitzner e Huebner have installed 8
new mill and are prepared to give the
best service farmers should patron iZt
the hbmG plant.
Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1905-10-04
Half Rates to Los Angeles, CAL,

Via the NOrth-W estern Line. Excursion
tickets will be sold at one fare for the
round trip, from all stations to Los An
geles, October II to 81, inclusive, with
favorable return limits, ON account of w.
C. T. Z Convention. Three fast trains
to the Pacific Coast daily. 1.-THE Overland
Limited" electric lighted throughout,
less then three days enrOute. Another
fast train is the "CalifOrnia Express
with drawing room and tourist sleeping
cars. The best of ever ything, For rates,
tickets, etc., apply to agents Chicago &
North estern R'y. Oct. %.