The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1909-10-21

LOOKING TOT SPORT GO TOT De"
lieve that they had any inten-
ton of harning my innocent
little son. They carried the
sport too far.
This was the statement of Simon
Mckenzie, sturdy Scotch butcher Of
Aneta, N. D., when seen at st. Johns
hospital this morning by Forum re-
porter, concerning the escapade at
Aneta Saturday evening which will
possibly cost the life of little 12-year-
old Kenneth Mckenzie. The lad now
lies at the hospital. the trunk of his
body, from his chest down to his
knees, burned in places to a crisp. The
story OF the affair, as told by Simon
Mckenzie, with tears streaming down
his face and interrupted occasionally
with lump rising in his throat, when
he would turn away and stare into
space, unable to satisfy himself that
any human being could be responsible
for such an act as was committed.
was in substance as follows:
my son was returning home Sat
urday evening after having delivered a
couple of packages. 1t was about 8
o'clock in the evening and just as he
was entering the park, about block
from our home, he was accosted by
two strangers, young fellows who
were talking in foreign tongue, which
he was unable to understand. Fney
ran after him, steering him into a
side street. Any attempt made by
him to get away was cut off At last
he stumbled and fell. One of the men
pinned him to the ground with knee
on each shoulder. The other poured
something on him. Whether this was
kerosene or not is not known. A match
was applied and then the two ruffians
took to their heels. My son believes
from the tone of their talk, they were
swearing in their native language, al
though he could understand nothing.
mo other harm was done. Envel-
oped in a mass of flames and scream
ing from the terrible pain he ran for
block and half before assistance
came. the flames extinguished and the
boy brought home. The first state
ment made by his rescuers was that
the lantern must have exploded. The
boy was in a semi conscious condi-
ton, and repeated this, which led to
the rumor that the lantern had explod-
ed. This is not the case and was
denied by Kenneth the next morning.
wI1en he made a clear and full state
ment to me, which is corrobofated by
every circumstance. The next day.
Kenneth made similar statement to
the states attorney, which varied in
no particular. The lantern was found
in perfect condition, except that the
cap for the opening where oil is pour
ed in, was found about four feet from
it. There was still some oil in the
receptacle.
81 want 1t positively understood that
no one acquainted with the facts, be-
lieves blind piggers are responsible
for the deed. Revenge was not the
which will be worked on, when the
time comes, but 1t is very vague. We
all believe that the two young fell
lows responsible for the deed were
under the influence of liquor at the
time-wanted some sport in this ter
ribIe manner"
The victim was treated at Aneta by
the local physician till Monday eve
ming when ne was brought to this city.
Part of the time ne has been conscious
while other times he is irrational.
This morning he slept well, either
from the poison in his system or nat
uralIy. With his innocent little face
on the snowy white pillow, eased for
time from the terrible pain, he has
melted the sympathy of everyone who
has seen him. He Is attended by his
father and sister, Ina Mckenzie, II
years old, who mas been at his bedside
constantly.
An exceptionally sad feature, was
brought out by the father this morn
ing between sobs, when he told of the
death of the infant child of the family
but two weeks ago Sunday, VINO is
hardly cold in his grave. The mother
is Frustrated with grief.
The Mckenzie family has resided at
Aneta for the past ten years and in
that vicinity for the past twenty four
years. At the present time Mr. Nc
Kenzle owns a butcher shop at
Aneta and Sharon. He has taken an
active part in law enforcement in that
vicinity, but he insists that he is re-
spected by law breakers who do bus
mess with him and in a sense are his
friends.
The statement That should he re-
cover. he would be disfigured for life,
is quite erroneous. While 1t is pos
sible that some vital organs may be
erected, there will be no Disagreement
should he recover.