The star-independent. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1904-1917, 1915-03-29
The
Incendiary
BY EVERETT P. CLARKE

l was lin criminal courtroom one
day among the spectators when saw
a man sentenced for incendiarism for
Eve 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 it 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. lived in Hilton. but had no
acquaintance with the convict. Sew
era) fires had occurred at short inter
walls, One night a citizen saw man
setting fire to the building. By the
light of the newly kindled flame the
citizen got 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 l had seen sentenced
In the street and recognized him for
the firebug The result was convic.
lion.
Within few months after Mansfield
had been taken to the penitentiary a
series of fires occurred in Allanville
some twenty miles from Hilton. I 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. l made in,
quiries as to where Mansfield was and
was told that he was serving out his
time.
A number of citizens of Allanville
volunteered to watch at night, and
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 it was 2
o'clock. i saw Il man walking some
distance ahead of me. followed him
but before caught up with him l met
one of the watchers. On asking him
about the party ahead OF me. whom
he 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
60 out and walk the streets.
was perfectly satisfied with this
explanation and went back to my beat
Notwithstanding our vigilance the
fires continued. and We failed to be or
the ground when they were lighted
They were not very frequent. and some
of the watchers began to think that
occurring as they did was merely q
coincidence. One after another gave
up watching till there were but half q
dozen of us left.
I met Simpson on several occasions
but never in sufficient light to see his
face. Ope night when walking with a
fellow watcher Simpson passed us
My companion bade him good evening
spoke a few words to. him. and we
passed on. We were near street
lamp when we met him. and got a
glimpse of his partially lighted face.
Something within me. some psyche
logical working. seemed to connect
Simpson with the fires. l said nothing
to my companion of my feeling, but
resolved that | would devote my fu
ture watchings to Mr.. Simpson. But
asked questions as to who and what
he was and was told that he was q
good citizen and the father of highly
respected family.
Acting on an impression for which
could not account. spent several OF
my periods of watching near Mr.. Simp