davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1905-02-11
MANY PROMINENT MEN ARE INVOLVED
State Officials We're Baffled Until They Sc
cured the Confession of hty-Year-Old
Jack Page. After Which Indict-
ments Followed Rapidly.
"A .tory of This Remarkable Band of Incendiaries
and Their Methods of Operation Boldness Marked
Every Mo.e-A Desire for Revenge on the Part
ofPase Finally Caused Their Exposure

night A dunl existence ii was, with
church worship al outward sign OF the
piety in their blossoms, Nothing es-
CAPPED SchouIhouses were fired with
IMMUNITY just at willingly as were
fnrmhouses. stores ard burns made
the objects of their incendinrism, foI
one class uf timber made hs pretty U
flame at another
Made Arson q business.
AS far rs known only one Of the
band made arson D business, just To
see things burn. This was Freddy
Bowman, u genuine pyromnniae, whose
lust for adventure induced him 10 sci
fire TO the Methodist church in Stryker
O. From u small shed nearby ne
watched the flames devonr the small
structure Tahenl in because he was
young and preGociuus. he was entrusted
with small jobs, where The risk OF de-
lection was not great, and where ne
would he given opportunity to become
proficient IL the art and ultimately he
veiop into talented flrebug. One
night without orders from his superi-
urs, he touched of the church, and his
subsequent apprehension and comics
sion almost ensEared the remainder OF
the gang. But, SO high in the commu-
nifty did the ringleaders stand. the al
missions of the youth were pronounced
falsehuods. and nobOdy hut the officers
placed faith In them. Not until within
the last year, when the boy's comics
sion was sllbstantiated, did ii become
public that his arrest was one Df the
first OF an organization 81 men who al
lowed the commission Of no crime.
however enormous, To stand between
them and the money they coveted
The traveller unacguailited with the
happenings of past years would see lit
tie IN the scared country nowadays to
attract his attention. The iire-destroyed
buildings have been replaced with new
structures and, under the protection 0f
che state fire marshal, protection has
been given sufficiently 10 allow i'm
pruvements But the time was when
every man woman and child stood In
mortal fear Of the gang. One man
could hardly speak conhdeutially TO his
The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1905-02-11

came each week he visited the little
bank in the village drew out from
s1,5D0 10 81 900 with which TO trans
act business The weak following.
Morrison was Ayers best friend. 10
all appearances One night, Morrison
casually asked the cBttieman why he
never carried q revolver for protection.
What's the USE" Ayers asked.
Nobody knows ] have money in my
every one Of them"
Within week Morrison, fearing 10
do the JOB himself imported Jim Ely.
d Kansas City crook, who was TO hold
up Ayers and MURDER him if necessary
To get the money. lily baked On the
killing Il have brother who will do
that; he will be here soon" he told
Morrison, and in two days c. Waldo
Ely dropped in al West Unity, met
Morrison in the lRtter's barn and the
details Of the crime were planned
Morrison scouts watched Ayers
learned that he drew about S3.0bo from
the bank, and Swallowed his every
movement until The time came to
strike
Meanwhile Morrison remained al
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 . good
opportunity TO escape.
Yet Morrison End the cattle buyer
had been life long friends. and Ayers
II ne was 10 choose any une man more
friendly TO him than another, would
have selected Morrison But Morrison
sBw his chance and his wicked mind
could NOT be restrained by mere bonds
uf friendship
The night Of the assault dismal
rain and cutting wipa. almost binding
all who CHANGED to Ice out kept nearly
everybody in the village indoors.
Ayers had played his usual game Of
cards and was On his way home Nor
rfsonis 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 mashed
Your dough. pleAss< was all the 40
complisbed stiok-up man said.
Ayers reached for an old-fashioDed
Colt revolver that be had. by mere
chance. put into his pocket before
leaving home. Afterwards he said
that Morrison's admonition made him
suspicious
As he pulled thu gun there were two
sharp reports Ms streaks Of fame
poured from the barrels OF the gums
Ely held Ayers fell with a groan
The nodse Of the shooting attracted
The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1905-02-11

people uf the town. and In q moment
or two several were hurrying 10 the
scene
Flight pf the Murderer.
Ayers Ind fallen in such manner
that his wallet. flied with bills. could
not be reached and Efy was obliged
TO sond away in the darkness, leaving
the prpstrate body Of Ayers 10 be found
by the villagers. Fastening TO Nor
risonls barn he found that arsonist be-
side himself with rage.
why did you SHOOT? Why didn't
you belt him over the hend?' he asked
Ely.
Shut up, you fool. j had 10 shoot
or he would hive got me-" Ely replied.
cOolly; land what's worse, j didn't
have time Id get the money"
Morrison. cowardly even III crime,
wansed 10 leave Ely 10 his Own fate.
The Kansas City crook, however, was
too old al the business. You got me
into il. now get me out, or there he
somebody else beside me sent up for
this little job" was his admonition.
and il was up 10 Morrison 10 furnish
the assistance
With The help u farm hand who
afterwards confessed, Morrison rail-
roaded Ely several miles away, where
he was 10 remain for Q week or two,
but posse of indignant citizens
The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1905-02-11

cess baggage" Morrison said. and Paes
never forgot the insult He left with
the parting AdmoBition that he would
some day get even, and he has. for Nor
rison AZ serving In the penitentiary. and
score Of his cropies have been indicted.
dozen found guilty and sent 10 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.
q respected West Unity man. Saunders
and Page were boys together, when they
left England, the country of their birth.
10 Try their fortunes in America. Eaun-
dsrs grew up in the straight and marrow
path, living as he had been taught to
live. Page forgot the good teachings Of
his youth. The officers got the two men
torether, Saunders well posted as to his
duty. He resolved to DO all be could to
assist IN wringing confession from the
old firebug. But this al 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. SauD-
Gers accompanied him. The good man
denounced the frebugs, talked OF the
Gays 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 criminal
of the " orst 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 I afford
TO lie, now, Jack" said Saunders, and
Page. seeing an opportunity 10 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 his
criminal operations are even partially
known 10 those in authority. and wish
ing 10 bring upon his partners in crime
the punishment he had already suffered,
is easy picking for detectives. Thus il
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 suhstantiated by fur
Their investigation, the grand iuries 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 hundred, but
more accurate count than that has not
The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1905-02-11

Toledo. -NurtbwesLerD OHIO, with lts
pretty farms and prosperous landown-
<rs. lie nearing the end Of reign Of
terror Of 30 years, during which time
gang Of InGendaries, hungry tuf SUD
der wealth, have desecrnted its beauty
with flaming torches, and committed
almost every crime Oh the calendar,
from the smallest burglary 10 attempt
cd murder. ."
Criminal history tells no STORY OF
events NO blood-eurdling as those
which have shocked the residents 81
this section IN the last quarter century.
The widest dine-norel dreamer could
hardly imagine 90 terrible d melodrHmn
a. has been acted by this conspiracy
ef meruenary ttrebugs Revelations
made In the past few weeks, by comics
sion and investigation by state ufi-
terg, Bre SO startling rs TO be almost
uubeievable Against one man have
bsen returned - indictments against
another there are Ten and lucky indeed
H. The member Of the organization who
ascapeQ with only single true bill,
fur the work OF the state mas been thor
ough and the laws firm hand has been
laid with unreieuting vigor Oh those
known 10 be connected with the organ
izuttou.
Only d beginning.
With the AZ or mUre indictments,
however, If is believed that only u
Euuu beginning has been made. Deep
under the surface, II Is known that
more disclosures still more startling.
are 10 come. Those men effected by
iuveBtigRtiun now cOmpietsd fully con
scious that their long terms IL prison
win efectualiy prevent them from par
ticipatipp III more work, have shown
disposition TO tell III least some of
The secrets, and with the aid uf these
admissions. Williams and Fulton cuuu-
lies. where the more exciting events
huve trunspired are determined To
punish al the guilty, md remove the
ltHir Of dishunor which has been made
upon them 10y their hardness In ferret
iuE out the criminals .. ..
Thirty wears ago, Jack Page one Of
1ht most daring and notorious Of the
The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1905-02-11

been kept The insurance companies
have paid. il is estimated, more than
S1,5o0,D00 10 the members of the gang.
Homer Morrison and Jack Page were
indicted nearly dozen times, principal
ly for arson. April ?. 1878. they burned
Mo1rison's home, ard 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 co the dirty work.
was forced into The gang, and he became
che OF the worst Of the lot. He was in
Icte6 several times for aiding Morrison
md Page. October Is, 1868, he pleaded
guilty TO arson, and served year in the
penitent.ary.
Waldo Ely. Morrison, Wesley Ship
man md Frank Colon, all Of whom par
tieipated In the attempt on Samuel Ay-
err 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
Gictnent of Harry Kirkendall, William
Bonner, Freddie Bowman, Charles
Smith, William Davidson, and a half
dozen Others. Most Of them confessed,
and were given sentences ranging from
one 10 four years in prison. William
Matthews was another OF the later day
criminals. He was sentenced to serve
two years Newton yOmey, Jackson
Swisher, Charles Hultzberg and one or
two more are stiTl at large, having fed
from the stnte. They have remained
AWAY fearing TO take the consequences
Of their actions.
Even with the excellent work already
accomplished, the state believes II 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 par'tfci-
pants in the ssturnAlfua OF crime, and
are leading respectable existences. But
their reformation viii not carry them
through the present storm OF justice
They must answer for their nnisdeeds.
and the confessions, being mace almost
daily. win cause their dowhfell. and
none but their disersced fsmilies can en-
Jog the fruit OF their IN gotten wealth.
The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1905-02-11

pressed too closely on his trail and
imlnediate escape WAS necessary Flee
ing before The officers and farmers,
Ely's escape, rs subsequently described
by himself, was one SO hazardous that
he does not to-day know how the
shower of bullets sent after min failed
TO end his LIE. With the horses push
ing him to his utmost he came upon
farmer. driving peacefully along the
road. Stop or III shoot" he yelled
The farmer pulled up. Paying no at
ten TO the men following q quarter of
mile behind. he stood behind the
agriculturist and ordered him to drive
like b, or I'll blow your bloody
brains out" Again the farmer obeyed
Suddenly coming upon q dozen ditch
men directly in his path, all hope of
escape seemed 20 be cut OF II was
then that the remarkable GOODNESS of
the man and presence Of mind as
serted themselves. Hurriedly jumping
from the wagon ne cowed the cruwd in
front with his revolver, calmly I'm
hitched one OF the horses and before
anybody knew Lis intentions he had
jumped on the ANNA Is bach and. with
half dozen shu:s! dashed un mad
gRllop 10 stretch Of wooded land
three miles away Reaching the
thickst he dismuunted turned the
horse loose and escaped from his pur-
sners II was then thlt tie Ilnns Of
Morrison to aid in the escape were
useful for Ely found the home OF Jack
Taylor. one Of tbe gang, gave the pass
word. and was sheltered until he had
time TO burgiarize the residence uf
William Schwartz, farmer. and ulti-
mRtely found his way u KnnsGs City.
Ely's Confesf1cn.
in the investigation Of recent wears
The robbery of Ayers was looked into,
arc 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-
fed al that had been related by Page
in his confession. He SERVED Que year
in the Columbus co., penitsntinry for
his crime. justice having been side
tracked 10 some extent because he
turned states evidence and supplied
the officers with information which. In
part. resulted i'm the arrest and con-
riction OF Morrison. who is now serv-
ing sentence Of 30 years in prison.
Jack Page. first I'm crime after Nor
rison. enjoys freedom because he gave
information Of 30 much value IN hunt
ing down the fretngs. A crippled old
man nov. he does NOT hesitate 10 say
that he cannot BEGIN 40 remember how
many houses he fred and how many
The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1905-02-11

hrebngs, was u young man, possessed
Ncf valuable farm and surrounded by
friends who wished him only pros
perity Homer Morrison. also young
and wellto-do. was his neighbor.
Whatever induced these two boys 10
leave the Puiitanie path laid out for
them by Christian parents cannot be
explained, except in their greed for
gold But the desire 10 defraud came.
and rs years elapsed before II was
satiated Gathering as clansnen ap-
parently honest and respectable farm
ssrs. the gang pursued It's course. stop
ping M nothing. making insurance
companies its prey. and pounding upon
them every time an occasion presented
itself.
working ms hopored men by day,
taey became the WIDEST deEperadoes BIZ
The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1905-02-11

1iIei liz tntbu6r ARE btliiG if1t0
neighbor for fear that be would thus
ADDRESS Q member Of the organization
and ESQ jeopardize. not only his prop
erry. but the lives Of himself and fam
by 60 high in social standing were
the criminals that their Identity was
unknown, except in the inner circle
Once a building Was fired. he who ap-
Piled the flames was covered with the
garb Of good citizenship. and even the
hrarest feared 20 point at him the I'm
ger Of suspicion. for such meant speedy
revenge. A remark by one boasting
farmer resulted i'm the burning Cd his
barn the same night
Task Of State omcerx-
To hunt down such q lot Of beings
was the task Of state ofbcers. The un-
dertaking was known TO be big and
franght with peril Evidence was col
The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1905-02-11

lected only after the greatest efforts.
Nov and then, indications would mp
pear IN the surface of what was really
happening, and IL WIS from these small
clues that the -tRetectives finally up-
earthed the chief conspirators and
turned them over TO the law for pun
ishment
OF this gang uf fearless criminals,
Homer Morrison once o respected son
of well-to-do parents, was the leader.
His cunning brain devised most uf the
daring jobs during the lung years he
and his pals worked. unmolested, burn
ing any building for which the owner
paid the required fee. Once q maIl
employed the Rrsonists 10 transact
business, he was in their mesbes for
If he was NOT aware that he was just
as lighle 10 punishment as if he had
applied the torch, ne was 30 informed
and thus became an addition 10 the
ranks,
The Killing Of Ayers.
III was Morrisun's avarice that re-
suited in the Goncoction of q plot to
llll Samuel Ayers, November ~, 1897.
Ayers was wealthy cattlemRn whu
lived near West Unity, q small village
in Williams county The old fellow
was peculiar, believed everybody his
friend and feared harm from 20 one
Every Fridny, as regularly as that day
The Mankato free press., 1905-12-22
DAVID EVANS, MODERATOR.
G. M. Presbytery Was Held in Zion
Wednesday and Thursday.
Ern,, Nt,,,,, do,
From Thursdays Dali

Meetings of the C. NJ. presbytery for
this district were held at Zion church
last Wednesday and Thursday. A bus
mess session was held Wednesday
morning, Rev. Edward Thomas of Tracy
presiding. The minutes of the last meet
ing were read and approved. The fol-
lowing officers were elected for next
year: Moderator, David Evans of
Mankato; secretary, Rev. William E.
Evans; treasurer, William w. Thomas
of Jerusalem; financial secretary; Ed
ward Wigley; statistical secretary; Rev.
Hugh Owens, delegates to the synod at
Lime Springs, Thomas Hughes and Ed
ward Wigley. The next meetings of the
presbytery will be held at Saron church
Attention was called to the week of
prayer in January Thomas Roberts
was received as an elder having been
elected by Zion church. Reports of the
different committees weer read and
adopted. Wednesday afternoon public
meeting was held. The subject was,
"Faithfulness." The meeting was open
ed by John R. Owens, and a large num-
Der took part in the meeting. Wednes-
day evening and all of Thursday preach
ing services were held, in which Revs.
John R. Johns of Randolph, Wis, John
w. Roberts, Edward Thomas, Hugh
Owens and d. Edwards took part. A
kind welcome was given by the Zion
people to the large number that attend
ed.-Lake Crystal Union.
The Mankato free press., 1905-12-22
FELLOW SERVANT LAW VAL Id
United States Supreme Court Holds
Minnesota Statute Good.

Washington, Dec. l9.-In an opinion
by Jnstice Holmes, the supreme court of
the United States upheld the validity
of the Minnesota state law, holding
railroad companies responsible for in
juries done to employees through the
carelessness of other employees.
The case was that of the Minnesota
Iron company VS.. Mark M. Kline. Kline
was the engineer of train on road in
st. Louis county, owned by the iron
company, and was injured through the
failure of brakeman to set a switch.
The jury in the trial court brought in
verdict for $4,000, but at this pune
ture, the court took the case into its
own hands and ordered that the verdict
be set aside, on the ground that the
state law, awarding damage to the SER
wants of corporations because of care
lessnes on the part of their fellow SER
wants, is unconstitutional
The state supreme court reversed this
finding and ordered that the verdict of
the jury be carried into effect. That de-
cision was affirmed yesterday.
The Mankato free press., 1905-12-22
SAYS HE BOUGHT 1T.
John Dotson Charged With Theft OF
an Overcoat

From Tuesdays Daily.
John Dotson. the man who it is claim
ed took Mr. Madden's overcoat from the
City Hotel a week ago Sunday, and
Tomah, Wis, refuses to give up the
coat, claiming that he bought it. This
is the information that Mr.. Donahue re-
ceived yesterday afternoon from the
chief of police of Tomah. Mr.. Donahue
at once saw County Attorney Wilson,
who agreed to issue a warrant. The
Tomah chief was then instructed to ar
rest Dotson and hold him until Sheriff
Williams could arrive to get him.
Dotson worked in the city for some
time, at various jobs, finally driving the
City Hotel bus When he left Sun
day before last Madden's new cloth over
coat was missing, and Dotsons old one
left in it's place. This led to suspicion
pointing toward Dotson. 1t was learned
that he had left Mankato with soap
peddler and had a job with him. When
they reached Eau Claire, Wis, the ped
dler discharged Dotson, and the latter
having a brother at Tomah went there.
The Mankato free press., 1905-12-22
WILL LOOK AT LIVE STOCK.
State Fair Managers Are at the Big
Chicago Show.

From Tuesdays Daily.
A large delegation of officers of the
Minnesota state fair left last night for
Chicago to attend the international live
stock exposition which is on all the
week at the Union stock yards.
President G. n. Cosgrove of LIE Sueur,
First Vice President B. F. Nelson of
Minneapolis, Second Vice President C..
M. Griggs of st. Paul, Secretary E. w
Randall and L. d. Baird, Col. M. M.
Liggett, William E. Lee, D. S. Hall and
G. X. Patterson, of the board of man
ayers, made up the party.
There is special interest to the Min
nesota men in the present event at Chi
cago, as the international occupies for
the first time its new amphitheatre, just
finished, and as Minnesota is building
such a structure the Chicago building
will be eagerly examined and criticised
During the week there will be meet
ing of the American Shorthorn Breed
ers' association, the Aberdeen Angus as
sociation, various Percheron breeders as
sociations and other organizations with
which it is desirable for the Minnesota
fair men to keep in touch.
Today the National Association OF
Fairs and Expositions was to hold its
annual meeting. Dates for western
fairs were to be arranged.
The Mankato free press., 1905-12-22
REMAIN WITH THE FAMILY.
Judge Hughes Files an Order in the
Pierce Case.

FROM 1ueSuay DalIy.
Judge of Probate Hughes this morn
ing filed an order denying the petition
in the case of Urias Pierce. W. w. Pad
dock and William Schultz, members of
the board of county commissioners filed a
petition in the probate court a short
time ago asking that Urias Pierce's five
children, Josephine, Jennie, Rosa, Willie
and Charles be committed to the Gus
tody of the Children's Home society of
Minnesota. The children were remanded
to the custody of their parents.
The Mankato free press., 1905-12-22

which he believes will be effective, and
in time he will be asked to put it into
legislative form. Meanwhile the other
friends of the president himself, realize
that the difficulty outlined here is very
great, and that unless it can be over
come, any legislation that may be en-
acted will not be equitable, for it would
prevent appeal on the part of the rail
roads excepting only in extreme cases.