Putnam patriot., 1913-10-17

the Superior court will open in Nilh- mantle with Judge William II. Will liams presiding. The serious nature of the charges against four Of the prison CTS now being held at Brooklyn jail makes the session one Of the most jim. portant that has been held in Wind ham county in many years. The eases that are the center of public interest ail come from this corner of the coun- ty, three from Putnam and one from Woodstock.
 Perhaps the most interest eenters In cases of Frank E. Howarth, A young Putnam lawyer, and Lndley Cain, who was messenger of the superior court up to the day of his arrest. Both of these young men are graduates ol the Putnam High school and when their arrest was learned the eommuni- | ty was greatly shocked. fhe crime al legged against them is arson and the in- | formation sets forth seven counts GOV ering period from Oct. 80, 1912, to April ?, 1915.
 Putnam has not forgotten the time of terror caused by the series of fires during the above period. The first fire of a suspicious nature was about 10 o'clock Al night, Oct. a9th, 1912, when the alarm called the department to the Clarke residence on Elm street. The lire was quick ly extinguished and rags soaked in oil were discovered near the barn. On Nov. 2nd and 9th fire was discovered in the rear Of the Brad ley Ibuilding on Main street and here gain oil.soaked rags were found. The next night, the 6th, the Mulian build. ing was damaged to the extent Of about sl ,o00 under suspicious circum- stances and the talk Of sire bug be- gan first to be heard to any extent. The next fire was an old building on Priests Island, 50 called. This fire WAS on Nov. l7th, Four days later, the 2lsi, the big coniiagration Of the
 Wheaton Building X Lumber Com pany's plant, the most disastrous fire the city had ever experienced, causing loss Of over Si00,o00, occurred. The city was now in furor of excitement and no one felt that their property was safe. State police came 10 the clty ana spent days. Private watehmen were engaged 10 assist the police force in patroIIing The city and dire threats were heard toward the pefpetrator of the evil deeds should he be caught. Clews Of all sorts were run to earth and wild rumors were everywhere current. The excitement gradually subsided AS no more fires occurred and the citizens began to believe that the guilty party had done his work and had gotten away with 1t and the belief was even expressed that the fires were not of in- cendiary origin but merely a coinci- dence.
 The last yestige Of excitement had died away when on the night of April 2lst, 1913, five months to a day from The previous ire, the buildings at the Fair grounds were destroyed. Excite ment once more ran riot and again elews were run down and state officers worked on the case to ali appearances without avail IL was also fumored that preparations for other fires had been found near various buildings.
 Four days later the last fire occurred. The Tatem Handle Factory v as des- troyed in the early morning hours un- der suspicious circumstances and there was no one by this time that did not believe that Putnam had a serious fire bug mystery to soiwe. Probably the whole amount of damage caused by these fires would total over sl50 D00.
 Time dragged along and again the matter seemingly laid dormant as faI as officials working on The case were concerned. People had again ceased to talk and speculate on the outcome and fear Of further fires had again be- come allayed. Suddenly, as from a clear sky, as far as the public was con- eerned, came the announcement Of the arrest of two Putnam young men well known and generally respected in the community. Howsfth was accosted on the street by State Policeman Hur- ley and was placed under arrest in the Superior court building charged with arson. Cain was fulfilling his duties as messenger Of the court when asked to step into the bar library where he too was placed under arrest on the same charge. Both of the accused were immediately brought before Judge Helcomb. who had signed the bench warrants for their arrest, and the eases were adjourned 10 the Oeto- Der session and bonds Of sl0, 0,0oo in each case ordered. The prisoners were talk en fo the police station and after sn unsuccessful attempt to get the bond were taken 10 laii.
 Howarth took his arrest lightly and ~hisfled and sang in the police sta ton and it Is said he kept this up al the jail. Cain seemed to more fully realize me seriousness Of the situation and was not in the high spirits that Ho~arth showed. REmors Of con- fession of Cain. a ehange Of front Of Howar.h and sarioss other stories