davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1905-03-18

friends Who wished him only pros.
perity. Homer Morrison, also young
and wSll-to-do, was his neighbor
Whatever induced these two boys to
leave tie Puritanic path laid out for
them b. Christian parents cannot be
explained, except in their greed for
gold. But the desire to defraud came,
and 25 years elapsed before it was
satiated. Gathering as clansmen ap-
parently honest and respectable farm
ers, tho gang pursued its course, stop
ping q. nothing, making insurance
companies its prey, and bouncing upon
them evsry time an occasion presented
ITSELF f.ss, E5
Working as honored men by day,
they became the vilest desperadoes by
night 4 dual existence it was, with
church worship an outward sign of the
piety In their bosoms. Nothing es-
capped. Schoolhouses were fired with
impuEisy, just as willingly as were
farmhouses; stores and barns made
the objects of their incendiarism, for
one class of timber made as pretty
fame as another.
Made Arson a Business.
As far as known, only one Of the
band made arson business, just to
see things burn. This was Freddy
Bowman, genuine pyromaniac, whose
tust for adventure induced him to set
Ore to the Methodist church in Stryker,
St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1905-03-18

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 of. It was
then that the remarkable GOODNESS 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 I'M
hitched one Of the horses and before
anybody knew His 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, a farmer, and ulti-
mately found his way to Kansas City.
Ely's Confession.
In the Investigation of recent years
the robbery of Ayers ~ looked into,
and information 49, by JACK Page
resulted in the APPREHENSION of Ely.
He was brought to Williams county
from bis residence in the west, and
when the evidence prepared by the
state fire marshal was shown him he
St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1905-03-18

Every Friday, as regularly as that day
came each week, he visited the little
bank in the village, drew out from
$500 to 5000 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 have money in my
pockets but my friends, and l trust
every one Of them"
Within 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. 81 have a brother who will do
that; he will be here soon," he told
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 $1,000 from
the bank, and Swallowed 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
St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1905-03-18

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 a
conference with the fire marshal was
arranged.
A man, conscious of the fact that mis-
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 the
inner workings of the gang which had
terrorized the community for years.
Names were mentioned, and when the
disclosures were substantiated by fur
Their 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
St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1905-03-18
EUROPEAN ODDITIES.

IN 4 burglar arrested in Paris the DO.
flee found Z beautifully executed picture
"a water colors Of the house he had
robbed.
The Liverpool police have stopped
the practice common thereof can.
vassing for the sale Of cofans at houses
where death has taken place.
It was mentioned in q London polici
court the other day that burglars in q
fewelry store tested watches. in order
to tell good from cheap ones, by thsssre
Ing them on the floor. H W
A turner's workshop, with large mo.
tive wheel and dog trained to turn 1t, ID
advertised to be let In the city of Lege,
where one-dog and two-dog tilted carts
and wagons are common.
Married eight years, a German named
Drew has seven sons, all of whom be
has pledged to the German army. The
kaiser has written him letter strong
" commencing his patriotism.
A London court has decided that any
body may call himself retired gen.
tleman, ;" without being accused Of false
pretenses. The decision was in the case
of a vegetable dealer who had borrowed
10 cents as retired gentleman"
The vicar of Burgess Hill, England,
announces that when confetti is thrown
on the occasion Of weddings at his
church an addition of $1.25 will be made
to the usual wedding fee, to pay for
the trouble of cleaning the paper away.
Aflock ola thousand wild geese aligbt.
ed at -Becskerek, in Hungary. and
could fly no further. It is supposed that
the birds suddenly passed from moist
into very cold layer Of atmosphere
and their feathers became coated with
ice.
St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1905-03-18
CAUGHT IN THE CURRENT.

It is estimated that Denver will be
called upon to entertain between 10000
and 10000 people on the occasion of the
seventh International convention OF the
Epworth League, which is to be held
July SO, 1905.
The charge for wireless messages to
ships in the Atlantic from any postal
telegraph Office in the British isles will
be six and one-half pence a word, and a
minimum charge of six shillings and
six pence. kilograms can be addressed
like this: Zones, Lucania, Atlantic"
Jealous Of what he thought undue
favor to another employe. Hugo Heck
elsmuller, an oiler in the works of the
United Railways of San Francisco, be-
gan putting sand in the machinery jour-
nal boxes Of the power house machin-
cry. He was caught when he had done
damage to the amount Of $4,000.
After em!zrating to New York and
waiting in vain for her son Morris and
his friend Benjamin Harrison to for
ward $35 worth Of her property. as ar
ranged, Mrs. Bessie Driver, . Jewess,
returned to London to prosecute them
for theft. She succeeded In having her
son sent to prison for six months.
The steel bridge over the Pecos river,
Texas, is marvel Of mechanical skill
and extreme simplicity of construction.
It is considerably more than 900 feet in
height and Is 2,1S0 feet long. yet 1t Is
supported BY stone pillars so small that
1t seems incredible to beholder that
they can sustain the enormous weight
Of passing trains, which invariably stop
on the bridge to allow passengers to
view the structure and the bleak, desc
late surroundings.
St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1905-03-18

, 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 confess
sion almost ensnared the remainder of
the gang. But, SO high in the comnu-
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
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 Officers.
To hunt down such lot Of beings
was the task of state officers. The un-
St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1905-03-18

dertaking was known to be big and
fraught with peril. Evidence was col
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 mesbes for.
IT 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.
Tho Killing Of Ayers.
It was Morrison's avarice that re-
suited in the concoction of plot to
kill Samuel Ayers, November q, 1897.
Ayers was q wealthy cattleman, who
lived near West Unity. small village
In Williams county. The old fellow
was peculiar, believed everybody his
friend. and feared harm from 20 one.
St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1905-03-18
READS THE BOOK.
"The Road to Wellville'' Pointed tho
~ Way,

Down at Hot Springs, Ark, the Wis
itors have all sorts of complaints. but
It is subject of remark that the great
majority of them have some trouble
with stomach and bowels. This NAV
be partly attributed to the heavy med
1cines
Naturally, under the conditions, the
question of food is very prominent.
A young man states that he lad suf-
fered for nine years from stomach and
bowel trouble, had two operations
which did not cure, and was at last
threatened with appendicitis. !,
He went to- Hot Springs for rheum-
atism, and his stomach trouble got
worse. One day at breakfast the watt
er, knowing his condition, suggested
he try Grape-Nuts and cream, which
he did, and found the food agreed with
him perfectly.
After the second day he began to
sleep peacefully at night, different than
he had for years. The perfect diges-
ton Of the food quieted his nervous
system and made sleep possible.
He says: "The next morning / was
astonished to find my condition Of con-
stipation had disappeared! could not
believe it true after suffering for so
many years; then took more inter-
est in the food, read the little book
The Road to Wellville,' and started
following the simple directions.
Il have met with such results that
In the last five weeks l have gained
eight pounds in spite OF hot baths
which take away the flesh from any,
one.
"A friend Of mine has been entirely
cured Of bad case of indigestion and
stomach trouble by using Grape-Nuts
Food and cream alone for breakfast.
There is one thing in particular
I have noticed great change in my
mental condition. Formerly could
hardly remember anything, and now
the mind seems unusually acute and
retentive. lean memorize practically
anything / DESIRE" Name given BY
Postum Co.. Battle Creek. Mich.
St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1905-03-18
ELY STANDS OFF A POSE.

were made, and that Ely was to b.
planted" there until he found q goot
opportunity to escape.
Yet Morrison and the cattle buyel
had been life long friends, ard Ayers
if he was to choose any one man NOR,
friendly to him than another, woult
have selected Morrison. But Morrison
saw his chance and his wicked minl
could not be restrained by mere bonds
of friendship.
The night Of the assault a dismal
rain and cutting wind, almost binding
| all who CHANGED 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
rison's men spotted him, signalled
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 &C
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.
sharp reports as streaks of flame
poured from the barrels of the guns
Ely held. Ayers fell with a groan.
The noise of the shooting attracted
people of the town, and in a moment
or two several were hurrying to the
scene
Flight Of the Murderer.
Ayera had fallen in such manner
that his wallet, filled with bills, could
not be reached and Ely was obliged
to scud 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, 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 there'll 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 farm hand who
afterwards confessed, Morrison rail-
roaded Ely several miles away, where
he was to remain for week or two,
but a posse Of indignant citizens
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 |
ne 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
sen to the men following, quarter Of
mile behind, he stood behind the
lgriculturist and ordered him to drive
like h. or I'll blow your bloody
St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1905-03-18
BAND. OF OHIO FIREBUGS
BROUGHT ~ : TO Q JUSTICE
HAVE TERRORIZED PORTION OF THE
STATE FOR LAST THIRTY YEARS. s
MANY Prominent men ARE INVOLVED
State Officials We're Baffled Until They Sc
cured the Confession of Eiehty-Year-Old
Jack Page. After Which Indict-
ments Followed Rapidly.
History of This Remarkable Band Of Incendiaries
and Their Methods of Operation-B oldness Marked
Livery Move-A Desire for Revenge the Part
n. of Page Finally Caused Their Exposure. -

Observation-Disclosures Ohio, with its
pretty farms and prosperous landown-
ers, is nearing the end of reign of
terror of 80 years, during which time a
gang OF incendaries. hungry for sud-
den 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-curdlings 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 confess
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
is the member of the organization who
escaped with only 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 Beginning.
With the 40 or more indictments,
however, it Is believed that only q
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
q 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 hardness in ferret
ing out the criminals. @a
Thirty years ago, Jack Page, one of
the most daring and notorious of the
firebugs, was young man, possessed
of valuable farm and surrounded by
St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1905-03-18

been kept. The insurance companies
have paid, it is estimated, more than
81 100000 to the members of the gang.
Homer Morrison and Jack Page were
indicted nearly dozen times, principal
ly for arson. April 2, 1873, 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 Is, 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 A.
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 ir.
dictn1ent of Harry Kirkendall, William
Bonner, Freddie Bowman, Charles
Smith, William Davidson, and half
dozen others. Most of item 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 misdeeus,
and the confessions, heiLs made almost |
daily, will cause their downfall, and I
none but their disgraced families can en-
JOY the fruit of their i'll gotten wealth.
St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1905-03-18

| confessed to the deed, took the Officers
over the route of his escape and veri
| fed all that had been related by Page
in his confession. He served one yea,
| in the Columbus CO.,, penitentiary TO,
his crime, justice having been side.
tracked to some extent because he
turned states evidence and supplied
the officers with information which. il
part, resulted in the arrest and con.
viction of Morrison, who is now sery.
ing sentence of 80 years in prison.
Jack Page, first in crime after Nor
rison, enjoys freedom because he gave
information of SO much value in hunt
ing down the firebugs A crippled old
man now, he does not hesitate to say
that he cannot begin to remember how
many houses he fred, and how many
home, with flaming torches, and sold
his manhood and soul for a few paltry
dollars, to be gained when the robbed
insurance companies paid the policies
on the buildings consumed.
At present Page is Willing away his
time with secret service guard con-
stantly watching him, for members of
the conspiracy have vowed to take his
life for the disclosures he made.
Fire Marshall Takes Hand.
The first visit to West Unity of Walter
Payne, who was, during the investiga-
ton, assistant fire marshal, will never
be forgotten by him. 1t was by the
slightest chance that he ran into a
shred of evidence which, followed up
from hundred different directions,
finally brought the hoped-for results.
Clyde Persing, of West Unity. was in
debted to a Toledo firm in rather large
amount, and, neglecting payment, he
was drawn upon. Hectored by the &C.
ton in presenting draft to him for pay
ment, Persing lost his temper, aud
threw care to the winds At that time
he conducted small restaurant in
building owned by Mrs. Winifred
Adolph. The night after the draft came
to him the restaurant burned. That was
in July of 1902. So bold was the action
of the man that it could not fail to
arouse the suspicion of Mr.. Payne and.
within few days, he visited the village.
He had not been there more than few
before his presence was tipped
OF to the leaders of the gang. Homer
Morrison was there at the time, and his
trusty lieutenants made him aware of
the fact that the fire marshal was in the
village. Payne desired to talk with |
Frederick Miller, the only banker of the |
town, and who was the agent for nearly |
all the insurance companies which had !
policies placed in the vicinity. The mar-
shall went to the bank, and, to his sur
prise, the brazen scouts actually fol-
lowed him, in their attempt 70 learn the
exact nature of his business. Even Nor
rison, fearless because he thought his
dignity in the community protected him
from suspicion, listened with eagerness
to what the marshal said, and then en-
,rusted the work of shadowing Payne 10
ess distinguished men in the profess
sion.
The officer finally succeeded in evad
ng the fellows on his trail, and held
ong conference with Miller, and other
prominent men, who, he had learned.
lad suffered because of their honesty in
'efusing to participate in the depreda-
ions. From citizens Of this class, he
earned much. and his suspicious that
St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1905-03-18
Thought It Was lie, Skirt.

De Jones (after the opera Hasn't
she a marvellous technique?
Miss Countrygirl-Yes but She
doesn't--cr-seem to know how to
manage it gracefully. She gave 1t a
sort OF kick when she turned .roundl
-Tit-Bits