The weekly tribune and the Cape County herald. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1914-1918, 1915-11-19
{. J. deal JR'S
Home IS FIRED
in SPITE WORK
Unknown Hands Work Des-
tructiOn at County Home
Near Charleston.
SECRET SERVICE MEN
PROBE NIGHT RIDING
Land Owners Gets Threatening
Letters - Z. s. Mails
Are Not Used.

Either New Madrid County might
riders" or neighbors doing "spite
work" have attempted to fire the
home Of F.. J. Deal Jr., on a farm IL
miles out of Charleston, and, after the
attempt was frustrated, on second
trip they have destroyed a quantity
Of creamery products as well as dis
figured one Of the buildings on the
farm.
Mr.. Deal is a son Of F. J. Deal, pres
ident of the Southeast Missouri Trus,
Company. The Deals lean to the opin-
ion that the work was done by neigh
bors working out 4 spite" against the
family.
1t was learned yesterday that 3
corps Of nearly score of Federal Sc
cret service men are in New Madrid
County and vicinity, investigating
"nightrider" activities there, and prob
ing especially circumstances surrounc-
ing the receipt Of several threatening
letters there by land owners.
Some of the letters which have been
received were not sent through the
mails, so that if charges ever are made
against anyone in connection with
them the Government will have 20
prove conspiracy.
About three weeks ago, Mr.. and
Mrs. Deal left the farm to go to Char
lesion where they have small apart
ment to spend Sunday.
A basket of fire kndling was left
sitting on one of the porches at the
farm house. Sometime in the evening,
an intruder went to the Deal house,
opened shed nearby where can Of
oil was obtained, soaked 1.-THE kindling
in OF! and set it afi"e.
The blaze was built against the
framework OF the house ana in few
moments, it IS believed, the flames
were reaching high alongside the
house.
One q the men employed at the
farm saw the hiazr IA lime 40 extin-
guish ii, before any material damage
was done 20 tic house.
The second visit occurred on Thurs
day, November i. when Mr.. and Mrs.
Deal went to Charleston to meet Mr..
Deals parents who went TO Charleston
from the Cape. In their absence, the
milk house on the farm was broken
into. The milk was poured out upon
the floor, coat Of paint was applied
by dumping a large can Of paint found
nearby in the center of the milk be-
smeared floor and all the butter that
had been stored in the place was rub
bed into the paint and mill;
No attempt to fire the place at this
time was manifest.
Mr.. Deal, All the office Of the trust
company yesterday, said he did not
know what caused the actions against
his sons property. He said that neigh
bors had been put off of lands belong
ing to him and he believes that, al
though his son had nothing to do with
those transactions, the neighbors are
getting even" with Mr.. Deal Jr.
No investigation Of these cases is
being made by detectives, Mr.. Deal
said.
Mr.. Deal said he has read threat
ening letter that Theon Hiesserer, Of
Oran, banker and real estate man, has
received recently from the might
rider" organization.
The cause of the trouble in New
Madrid is similar in character TO that
found to exist with the "possum hunt
crs of Sikeston." The men object to
the wages they receive and object to
the prices they have to pay for sup
plies, 1t is said.