Omaha daily bee., 1911-12-14
Says Crime Was Instigated by Rev.
c. N. Brewer, Now in Oklahoma
MRS. ANNA JORDAN ALSO NAMED
Wife Of Soldier Convicted of Theft
Said to Be Party to Crimes.
REVENGE WAS THE MOTIVE
Loss from series of IncendlHry Fires
and Explosions WIN Amount to
More Than Half million
Dollars.
BULLETIN.

JUNCTION CITY, kan, Dec l3.-Tho
Rev. Charles NJ. Brewer, formerly chap
lain i'm the United States army, now "a
pastor OF Baptist church In Olustse,
Okl, was accused, IL developed today,
in confession last night by Private
Michael Quirk OF implication in a mys-
terious series of explosions which have
baffled military authorities at Fort Riley
for six months.
United States Commissioner Chase here
today stated that Brewer had been ar
rested at olustse and that he was being
held for United states marshals. Mrs.
Anna Jordan of Kansas City, also inn
plicated In Quirk's confession, was ar
rested early today in Kansas City follow
ing a telegram to the police of that city
from Commissioner Chase.
blew Up bridge.
Quirk in his confession, which was
made to Colonel ELI ID. Hoyle, Sixth Field
artillery, commandant at Fort Riley, said
that he blew up the bridge across the
Kaw river June "a last and that he blew
up the cavalry stable June 30 when
twenty-seven cavalry horses were burned
to death. He also said he blew up the
water main which supplies the post with
water.
Quirk declared in his confession that
he committed these crimes at the insu-
cation Of Brewer who sought revenge
because he had been courtsmartialeu and
dismissed from the service for conduct
unbecoming an officer and gentleman.
Mrs. Anna Jordan. implicated by Quirl,
is the wife of a convict in the. federal
pententiary at Fort Leavenworth. She
was arrested here several months ago for
aiding her husband to escape from the
guardhouse, where he was confined on
the charge of stealing. He was recap
tured and sent to the federal penltentiary
Mrs. Jordan was released, Quirl al
legged In his confession that he met tho
ex.chaplain and Mrs, Jordan in an au
/ tomobile on the road between Junction
City and Fort Riley He said Brewer
told him they were on the way to blow
up the bridge and asked him TO go along
Quirk said he placed the explosive that
blew up the bridge.
! Quirk has been in the guardhouse under
suspicion of connection with the explo,
sions for nearly month. Last night hS
sent for Colonel Hoyle and made the con
fession.
Loss Half MIIliOn Dollars.
Explosions and fires here within sls
months have destroyed government prop
erty totaling value OF $4,000. A bis
storehouse on the maneuver grounds
burned with loss OF $4,000. Investlga
tions at the time convinced the authori
ties that all the fires were of incendiar!
origin. Since Quirks arrest there hav,
been no fires.
Both Brewer and Mrs. Jordan will b.
brought here for arraignment before tn
United States commissioner.
1t was said at the post today that other
have been implicated and that more ar
rests will follow.
Brewer was chaplain of the Sixth Eiel
artillery, stationed at Fort Riley until h
was dismissed from the army June p
last, after conviction by court-martial o.
charges of having been intoxicated at a
enlisted mems dance at the fort and wit
behaving In an ungentlemanly manner 1
the presence of enlisted men and thei
wives March 81, last.
Brewer is a native OF Alabama. lie
"a years old. He became a chaplain in tn
United States army in 1907 He Is MAJ
red and has several children.
Mrs. Jordan Arrested.
KANSAS CITY, Dec 13-Mrs. Ann
Jordan was arrested here early toda
upon receipt of a message from tn
United States commissioner at Junctio
City, Kan, and is being held pending IA
arrival of officers. The charge agalns
her was not stated In the message an
she declines to talk.