A Modern Fire-Worshiper

A reign of terror prevailed in Paynesville. For months stealthy and tireless incendiaries had held the town at their mercy. The consternation had become universal. At last, urged on by a resistless popular demand, the town authorities resolved upon heroic measures, and a large reward was offered for the detection and arrest of the fire-fiends. It was at this point that I was called into the case.

I began my detective work by numerous private conferences with the city authorities, citizens and officials of the insurance companies, questioning them upon the facts and attending circumstances of the fires. I also examined the fire records in connection with a local map of Paynesville, and the result of three days’ interviews, questions and examinations was the following collected data: Of fifty-two barns, stables and outbuildings burned within a period of about three years and a half, thirty-four had been entirely empty and disused at the time of setting on fire; nine contained property of little value; five held valuable stocks of hay and grain; three had each two animals in them, and not rescued from the fire; and only one case, but that a remarkable one, presented any exception to this general condition of emptiness and disuse. This was in the burning of the large private stable belonging to a wealthy resident of Paynesville, where eight animals… Read More