The Monticellonian. [volume] (Monticello, Ark.) 1870-1920, 1908-09-10
stilmeu Arrest Causes Sensation.

Sttll~eN arrest causes sensation.
The arrest Of Or. J. s StflIweII a
wealthy professional and business
man, and prominent churchman and
Mason OF Searcy. on a charge OF ar
son, has produced sensation which
has only been surpassed in the his
tory OF the town by that which follow
ed the exposure of the famous Lightle
insurance fraud about four years ago.
Following so closely after that SEN
sational case. the arrest OF Dr. still
We'll on a somewhat similar charge
has aroused more interest Than might
Otherwise have attached 10 the case.
DR. Stillwell. who is now under
bond 10 answer 10 the charge OF
setting fire 10 the building in which
his offices were located has been for
years one of the most prominent citi-
2ens OF Seafey He had been the
leading dentist of The town for years.
and has been actively connected with
many successful business enterprises.
He is a steward of the Methodist
Episcopal church, and for years has
Taught a class of young women in the
Sunday school of that church lie
has also been a member of.thc church
choir. and it is said has not missed
choir practices in fifteen years.
DR. Stlllwell is one of the largest
stockholders of the Peoples bank.
which owned the building which he
is charged with attempting to burn,
b.,t.
property He is reputcd TO be worth
at least $4,000.
The building which, ii Is alleged.
DR. Stillwell attempted to burn is a
two-story brick structure occupying
the most prominent corner of the bust
moss section of Searcy. The building
was purchased last spring by the
Peoples bank officials tn remodel the
structure and convert il into a modern
bank building. The bank paid $4,000
for the property. After thu deal WAS
made an architect was engaged to
prepare plans for the reconstruction
of the building, bur upon an inEesti-
CATION tho architect advised the bank
officials that the walls of the build
ing We're unsafe. and that 1t would be
impossible 10 remodel the structure.
Il was then proposed that the build
ing should be torn down and a new
one erected on the site. This propo-
sition was under consideration when
the attempt TO burn the building was
MADE.
One night about three weeks ago at
about $50 O'Clock fire was dis
covered on the second foor OF tho
building in question. When the
volunteer fremen responded 10 the
alarm they found that an attempt had
been made Ia burn the structure In
the hallway on the second floor inn
medateIy In front of the Office of Or.
Stillwcll, they found blazing box.
which was about Two feet square. had
been saturated with coal oil and
filed with cotton and small pieces OF
wool, which had also been saturated
with oil The box was standing upon
rug. which had also been subjected
TO bath of oil. Il Is tho theory
adopted by the officers that a lighted
with the idea that Il would burn down
ard ignite the cotton and othor con
tents at some time during the night
II is supposed that the candle was
overturned and the fire occurred
ahead OF the schedule time. No
candle was found, but it Is thought
possible that it might have been lost
after the fire. as The burning box was
thrown 70 the ground from rear
doorway and no particular attention
was paid TO il until the following
morning. The flames We're extin-
guishcd before they had done any
damage aside from scorching the
walls Of the hallway around Or. Still
wells door
Although the attempt 70 burn The
building was made three weeks ago
and uspicion was directed shortly
afterward against DIR. Stillwell. the
officers proceeded slowly and DR.. still
well was not arrested until Tuesday
when an affidavit making the formal
charge against him was filed by Pros
ecutine Attorney = r. Andrews OF
Augusta.
The evidence against DR. Still9ell
is entirely cireumstantial and is based
chiefly upon The fact that he was
seen coming from the building about
fYe minutes before the fire was dis
covered