The Delta independent., 1924-11-28
|. LEGENDARY FIRE
CAUSES LOSS OF
ABOUT $1,000

A story winch promises to lead into
some sensational developments had
its inception Immediately following
the destruction OF a large barn and
contents belonging to Albert Stolte OF
Cedaredge at an early hour Sunday
morning.
The Stolte ranch is situated at
about a mile north OF Cedaredge, and
shortly before 200 o'clock a. m.
man driving a car. returning from a
dance at Coalby. discovered the fire
from hill nearly two miles distant.
He drove rapidly and reached the
scene before the owners had discov-
cred it.
When the family arose the entire
building was in flames and indica-
tons pointed to incendiarism. Ac-
eordingly. a search was made for
tracks and three distinct foot SPIRITS
were found near a hay rack about 80
feet. from the barn. These We're COW
cred and guarded and on suggestion
OF neighbor two trained blood
hounds were brought over from Colo
RADIO Springs.
The dogs are the property OF otto
Quillin. deputy marshal. The train
had left when Sheriff Vanocker
phoned. and by driving across the
short route he caught the tfain at
Florence, arriving seven minutes be
fore the train. The man and dogs
reached Grand Junction at 200 a. m.
Monday and were brought to the
scene of the fire at once by auto,
arriving at 5:45 a. m.
Taking the scent from these guard
ed tracks, the dogs went through
hay field. into tract of scrub oaks,
to the creek east OF the Stolte ranch,
thence back through the field and
into the orchard. down a long row OF
trees. through the fence to the road
running north and south from Cedar
edge. directly across the road to a
fence corner, then south close to the
fence. through brush, along the fence,
to a point nearly opposite Walter Jan
uary's house. then diagonally across
the road southeast. then south on the
east side OF the road to a point just
below the school house. then diagon
ally southwest across the road TO the
sidewalk, then south on the sidewalk
to the First National bank corner,
then diagonally southwest on the
south side OF Main street. TO the cor
ner of the Cedaredge Drug store, then
northwest across the street to the
front door OF NJ. W. Peterson's mar
ket. then around the building to the
back door where they stopped.
The dogs were employed one at
time. and each. so far as Sheriff Van
ecker and Mr. Quillin can determine,
followed the same trail. though the
first trip was made before it was
quite light The second dog did not
10 all the way to Mr.. Peterson's
house, as her attention became dis
tracted by crowds gathering.
The two dogs followed their scent
on a later trip and on arriving at the
Peterson home found that babe a
week old had passed away at an early
hour and Mrs. Peterson in serious
condition, so they quietly went away
The blood hounds were returned TO
their home Monday evening.
Tuesday evening Henry Stolte
swore out a warrant charging NJ, w.
Peterson with the deed, and Sheriff
yanocker arrested him at his home
nt about $50 that night, bringing
him TO Delta. Judge Percival Z.
Coombe fixed his bond at S2,5vv,
which has not yet been furnished. He
will be given preliminary hearing
next Thursday. December 4.
In conversation with officers Mr.
Peterson stated that he was innocent
and that when the time arrived he
would be ablo to prove an alibi The
two families. with other parties 1t Is
claimed have had some differences
over family affairs. trouble dating
back to last August
The loss Is estimated at ABOUT
81 600. with $2.70o insurance. Con-
tents were so tons OF hay one
Haynes touring car: international
Truck and trailer; tools and farming
Implements.