The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1915-04-13
The
lncendiary
BY EVERETT r. CLARKE

| was in criminal courtroom one
day among the spectators when saw
a man sentenced for incendiarism for
Ave years. His wife was in court, and
the scene between them after the SEN
tence had been passed was heartrend-
ing. l saw the mans face but few
moments, and 1t was distorted by ago
ny. but 1t was impressed upon my
| mind.
The crime had been committed In the
town Of Hilton. which was the county
seat l lived In Hilton, but had no
acquaintance with the convict Sew
eral fires had occurred at short inter-
walls. One night citizen saw man
setting fire to the building. BY the
light Of the newly kindled fame the
citizen got a glimpse OF the incendi-
ary's face, but before he could reach
him he had disappeared in the dark
ness. A few days later he met the
man Mansfield had seen sentenced
In the street and recognized him for
the flrebug. The result was convic-
ton.
Within few months after Mansfield
had been taken to the penitentiary a
series Of fires occurred in Allanville,
some twenty miles from Hilton. l had
meanwhile removed to Allanville and
was interested in these fires, naturally
connecting them with those that had
occurred In Hilton. Had not seen
the perpetrator Of the incendiarism In
Hilton sent to prison for FIVE years
would have connected him with the
fires In Allanville. Indeed, made In
Quiries as to where Mansfield was and
was told that he was serving out his
time.
number Of citizens Of Allanville
was one Of them. There were twelve |
Of us. and we divided our number into |
three watches of four each. One night !
or. rather. morning. for 1t was 2
O'Clock. / saw a man walking some
ahead OF me. followed him, !
but before caught up with him met
one of the watchers. On asking him |
about the party ahead of me, whom
be must have passed, he said that he
knew him well. His name was Simp-
SON. He was troubled with insomnia,
and. not being able to sleep. he would
20 out and walk the streets.
was perfectly satisfied with this
explanation and went back to my beat
Notwithstanding our vigilance the
Tres continued. and we failed to be on
he ground when they were lighted.
They were not very frequent. and some
" the watchers began TO think that
as they did was merely
One after another gave
lp watching till there were but half a 4
lozen OF us left
/ met Simpson on several occasions,
mt never In sufficient light 10 see his ,
ace. One night when walking with !
elbow watcher Simpson passed us.
iy companion babe him good evening. I
poke a few words to him. and we $
assed on. We were near street $
amp when we met him. and got a a
limpse of his partially lighted face
Something within me. some psyche
,gical working. seemed to connect !,
impson with the fires said nothing
, my companion Of my feeling. but 4
ssolved that would devote my fu- D
ire watchings TO Mr.. Simpson. But I a
sked questions as 10 who and what
Q was and was told that he was a b
bod citizen and the father of highly P
family. y
Acting on an impression for which l =
,uld not account. ] spent several OF r.
y periods OF watching near Mr.. Simp- n
ms house. On the third night ! saw Il
IN go out and Swallowed him He CO
alked about aimlessly for awhile. ee
ZEN returned TO his home. | was so p
II satisfied that he was what he was ~
,nsidered TO be that / gave up my !, =
irpose of shadowing him. But / :,
uld not get rid Of the impression j m
ID received III
One morning about dawn when I su
as about to 60 home from my watch an
saw one OF our party coming with a th
,liceman who bad a man by the arm. M
ssff 49, oa,nA IN hau WI