Pueblo chieftain. (Pueblo, Colo.) 1889-current, 1921-07-24
SLEU1AS
ON LOOK OUT
BY GEORGE H. DAcY

| Pi prs''fNpEs n Isa'l
1ncendiarism-m an-started fires-is
one of the evils with which the gov
eminent forest rangers have to con-
tend turnout tho many national for
ests. One does not think OF the aver
age forest ranger as n detective. but
that these employees of Uncle Sam are
clever sleuths is impressively indl-
Gated by the remarkable records they
have made during the last three years
In running to earth and convicting
rascals. rogues. and careless hunters.
campers. and tourists who have been
responsible for man-stsrtcd fires in
the national forests. Fire-warninS
sign posts are placed turnout the gov
tion OF campers, hunters and fisher
men Is especially directed to the abso-
lutte necessity for cNtinEuIshins camp
fires before they break camp or move
to n new location.
The forest rangers and special inves-
Itsators Of the Department OF Agri-
culture have become very adept at To-
eating tho manner in which incen-
diary fires were started, and in track
ing the guilty parties to cover. In
these detective activities. they make
use OF water glass casts as well as
Impressions made by the Use OF dental
plaster. plaster OF Paris. and ordinary
cement, in makinS models OF the foot
tracks of either man or beast. They
carefully collect and preserve all ar
ticles found around The abandoned
camp fire or point where the forest
fire started. which subsequently, may
he examined for finger prints. They
search for unhurned matches, the
charrcd remains OF the man-started
fires. lens. and other mediums used
for lSindling the flames
1t was in 1915 that the pioneer arson
nF
was organized for the prevention Of
incendiary fires In the forests of CALI
fornia and Nevada. Previous to tho
inception Of the detective service, any
whore from $50 to 400 incendiary fires
occurred annually in the national for
year that the Sherlock Holmeses" Of
the forest primcvnl were on tho job
the number Of ince-riary fires were
reduced to 2s, and there is every owl
deucc that shortly the fires of human
origin will he OF negligible import
Iauce.
Tho mountain custom Of always
shoeinE horses with ready made shoes
lins resulted In several malicious fire
starters being tracked to their liars
and ultimately tried. convicted. fined.
and imprisoned. In each Of these in
stances. with sharp calks so that Il
was easy for tho forest scutns to fol-
low their trail Human footprints-in
innumcrRhle Cpscs-hsre led TO dis
covery and ultimate -onviction and
punishment, In some Instances Il was
n worn heel. or turned over toe on the
shoe or boot, which led to identifica-
tion. in other instances, huhnails. pee
uliar patterns OF rubber heels. ahnor-
m1litie5 Of foot conformation. or other
peCuliarities OF the foot tracks. were
Responsible for the location and arrest
Of the vandals peculiarities in the
foot marks Of the horse. mule. or
bprro ridden by the incendiary have az
often aided in the trnilins and dis
covery Of the culprit In one instance
a lost handkerchief with a distinctive
laundry mark was found near the scene
OF fire Thru the laundry number.
tho owner n the handkerchief and
originator Of the fire was finally
found. Tho peculiar treads. makes
and tracks Of automahile tree have
also often facilitated the work.-Aue-
lust Popular Mechanics.