Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1922-12-23

the truth. Mac, and didn't set any
other fire"
I'VE will see about that tomor
row." said McClarey.
That's the truth. Mac" was tbs
glib reply between puns OF smoke.
The arrest of Finnerty was due tC
the work OF Captain Sweeney. OF th'
Radnor police. The man attracted
the attention OF the Fox household
and the police about $50 a. m. by FIR
ing several shots from his revolver
When policemen ran up he pointed
in the direction he said a man waa
fleeing after firing the barn. A fu-
tile pursuit made the police suspect
Finnerty's story. They reported 10
Captain Sweeney and he questioned
the stableman until he got his con-
fession, which follows:
Il was out in a car with a man /
only know as Bones and we drank
a good deal. / guess. 1 got home
about S:15 o'clock and l felt that I
had to burn something. / had to set
a fire. 1 couldn't get rid OF the de-
sire to see fire. Then l thought of
a plan TO make myself solid with the
boss. ] took a piece of felt and
soaked it with oil and threw it on
the floor. Then i shouted and ran
TO my bed in the lift and got
blanket, which I threw on the fire.
It went out. Then l ran out and
fired my gun in the air. When the
boss and the other people came l
pointed across the field and told
them the fellow was running away
that had set fire to the barn. I
told them 1 put the fire out or 1
would have got the fellow.
The police went after him and I
Joined the people looking to make
sure the fire was all out. There was
no fellow and I fooled the police.
but / now tell the whole truth about
ii. I did not have anything TO do
with any other fire and I never set
a fire before in my life"
Finnerty will be given another OK
animation at the Radnor Jail. He
said he was born in Collingswood,
Ont, twenty-five years ago and that
his mother was Mrs. S. p. Finnerty,
OF Albion. Ont.
last summer with a rolling-chair
concern at Atlantic City and pre-
vlous TO that for a horse breeder at
Monticello, n. Y. He went 20 New
Orleans in August as a sort Of
jockey and stable boy and followed
the horses back to Baltimore, but
lost his job there. Then he went
TO work for Fox.
Major Wilhelm said he expected
to find the man Bones" with whom
Fnnerty said he was drinking. A
clue was obtained tonight and
Bones" may be in custody in a few
hours.
An attempt was made Thursday
night to set fire to the large barn 4
formerly owned by Charles W.
Bray near King Of Prussia, accord |
ing TO a report received by the .
police. The farm is tenanted by
Harry Lewis and his sister who be-
cause Of the burning Of so many
barns decided TO have their struc-
ture watched.
Two men were seen approaching
The barn from an automobile. The
TWO guards were in the barn.
Instead OF waiting until the sus-
poets got close. the watchers opened
IRE and the men ran across the
field. jumped into the auto and
irove away. II is not believed that
any OF the shots took effect. In their
haste TO get away. the men discard
I'd can OF coal oil and a quantity OF
waste.
Seventy farmers from the five
townships surrounding West Chester
net tonight in the Municipal Build
ng here TO hear Major Wilhelm and
lis assistant, J. NJ. Morgan, stste
he facts of the conditions which
rave terrorized the county in the
asst ten weeks. The keynote Of the
Idvice Major Wilhelm gave them
vas to watch their employees as to
He said the careless
srmhand was the cause of fire very
item through smoking or throwing
matches away thoughtlessly while
mong the inflammable stocks in the
arms.
The upshot Of the meeting was
he farmers decided to organize ,
igilance committees in their re- !
pective townships and work in CO. 7
perstion with the State FIRE in !
estigators. Volunteers were plenty
nd the comm ttees were Informally 2
riga nized before the meeting broke
p.