The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1910-11-03
ACCUSED Of ARSON
BUT DISMISSED
No Evidence Against
Lewis or His Mother
Both shown 10 BE Most Respectable
Citizens.

The case in which Irving Lewis
and his mother Mrs. Sarah Lewis,
we're charged with burning the build
ihgs at Browns Corner Canaan, own
ed by Mrs. Harriet Whitney, was dis
missed in the Municipal court Satur-
day by Judge F. +. Lawrence from
further proceedings against the two
respondents for lack of sufficient evil
dence on the part of the State. George
Morse of Pittsfeld appeared for the
respondents and County Attorney L.
r. Folsom of Norridgewock for the
State.
There developed at the hearing one
of the-most interesting cases that has
ever been before this court Nearly
everybody living in the vicinity of
Browns Corner was in the court
room. The witnesses for the State
by their own testimony brought out
that Irving Lewis was a young man
of the best reputation. that his moth
er was a most respectable women, and
everybody appeared to be friends to
them. 1t was brought ont in the
court also that this young man had
made something OF himself in the
world and further than that he now
vas the support of his mother and
smaller brothers and sisters. The
pathetic part of the case was that
MIS- Lewis had been left by the death
III her husband several years ago
with family of children to take care
81 she had reared these children.
educated them. and every one of them
WIS making something of himself now
Mr. Lewis is less than thirty, has {
we'll formed face and that these two
people should be brought into court
On such serious charge was only
by statement that Mrs Whitney had
made that Lewis had said that If the
buildings burned he would buy the
land back. Why he had said this
was that Mrs. Whitney had heard
prior to this that people in the Vicin-
ity of Browns Corner had said that
If she moved there they would burn
her ont. She said also in court that
she did not think that Lewis had any
hard feeling against her. 1t seems
hat about eight years ago Mrs Whit
ney lived in this Browns Corner
neghborhood and one night while She
was away her buildings mYsteriOusly
burned. At the close Of the hearing
there was hardly a person in the
room that did not rush to the two
respondents, expressing their pleasure
in the disposal of the case in this
manner The case WAS dismissed on
a motion of Mr.. Morse after the state
! had put in it's evidence.
1t seems that about II o'clock at
night on October /, a light was seen
! through the windows of the house
owned by Mrs. Whitney. by some
neighbors. They FASTENED to the place
and before they resched there the
house was wrapped in flames. M
one was living in the house 1T the
time. Frank Rowe having moved out
but two days before and Mrs Whit
ney was to have moved in the next
day after the fire occurred.
After the buildings had burned
there began the report that some one
set the fire. Sheriff Mooers after
nearing the report llhuleuldleh Will
County Attorney Folsom went to the
place and it was not long before ht
had a clue
Digging away as is customary fol
Sheriff Mooers he located the people
he wanted and sent his Deputy Burril
Of Hartlond TO Charleston 70 appre
bend Rev" Lewis and had Mrs. Lewis
arrested
Mrs. Lewis is about 50 years old
She has always been considered
good neighbor and respectable wo
man. The son is young man Win
has supplied in different religious ser
vices and acquired the title of Rev
erend"