The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1911-12-22
A CHARGE
OF ARSON
May Be Placed Against ChaS.
And Clarence Foster
Alleged They Caused The Big
Fire Al Centerburg, 0.
Raid Made On Their Home
Late Monday Evening
And A Large Amount Of Goods
We're Discovered
Fosters Are Now Locked Up
In Jail At Centerburq

CtutSTDuIB, W, Lee. ia Tdlu on
the home Of Clarence and Charles
Foster at this place by Mayor Best,
Marshal l.. B. Evans and two depu-
tized citizens Monday night brought
to light the fact that the recent big
fire at this place was not from acci-
dental cause but that, according to
the opinion of the officials of this
place, it was the result of depreda-
tion performed by Charles and Clar
ence Foster. Goods from the e. e.
MCGUIRE store, which was burned Sat
urday, We're found at the Foster home
and it is known by Mr.. Mcclure that
the merchandise was not missing
from the store previous to the fire.
In all probability a charge of arson
will be placed against the two hien
who are now being held.
Shortly after 1890 o'clock Monday
night Mayor Best received call
from citizen stating that there was
disturbance on the street, in the
front of his home and that the man
causing the disturbance would likely
do some damage If he was not taken
care of. Accordingly Mayor Best
called Marshal Evans and sent him
to the scene of the disturbance to take
the matter in hand. II developed that
a. man by the name of Samuel Gould
was the disturber and he was placed
under arrest. At this time Clarence
Foster made his appearance and at
tempted to interfere with the marshal
who had started to take the prisoner
to the lookup. Finally getting rid Of
Foster the officer took his man 10 Jail
and then returned to arrest the man
who had interfered. This he did but
was again given a great deal Of
trouble by Charles Foster, brother of
Clarence, whom ne had in custody at
the time Taking Clarence to the jail,
he returned and arrested Charles
They We're charged with disturbing
the peace.
For the past several days the Fos-
ters have been suspicioned of "boot-
logging" and after they were locked
up, Mayor Best and Marshal Evans
concluded that it would be a good
plan to search the home for liquor. 1t
was during the search for wet goods"
that considerable dry-goods and mems
& t,i n
titled by Mr.. g. e. Mcclure as proper
ty that must have been stolen from
his store rs he had not sold any such
quantity to any person nor had the
store bcen burglarized at any time
previous to the fire. AS circumstanc-
es pointed SO clearly toward the Eos
ters for cauoing the fire, they will be
held for perhaps a mucn more serious
charge than disturbing the peace
Over $500 worth OF merchandise
which was identified by Mr.. MCGUIRE
as his goods was found in the house
and the search is still going on.
From / o'clock Monday night until
sought for more goods, either wet or
dry, but OF Tuesday Mayor Best stat
ed that the search has not been com
pleted. 1t is evident that the village
officials scent something more and
this will be unearthed in very short
time, If possible.
Before making a specific charge
against Clarence and Charles Foster,
conference will be held by Mayor
Best with Prosecuting Attorney, l.. T.
Cromley, but the charge, as stated
above, will probably be arson. On
conviction on an arson charge the law
provides for term of years in the
penitentiary as penalty.
The time of the preliminary hearing
of the Two men has not yet been set,
but will probably be in short time.
--sf.--