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GIRL DETERMINE!IEOf Bert Bourne Near Mixer-ville, Franklin County,FIRED IT 46 TIMES.FiFinally ('aught in Vet ol' Pouring Coal Oil in Clipboard Drawer Containing Towels and Set Them 011 Fire.A strange story comes from the north-east portion of Franklin county telling of the mania of a yonng girl for destruction by fire.Bert Bourne has a beautiful residence of a most modern type near the east border of the county on the Mixerville pike. On last Tuesday morning the house was discovered to he on fire. With the help of neighbors the llames were extinguished.The Bourne family has had in its employe for some time a 17-y.ar-old girl, May Conklin, by name, adopted from tlie Children's Home by Mrs. Edward Conklin.At the morning fire the blazi started in a wood barn near the residence. At three o’clock in the afternoon the roof of the building was found to be ablaze and only through the heroic efforts of neighbors, who chanced to he passing, was the flames put out and the building saved.From the time of the first fire to the time of the last the residence of Mr. Bourne was discovered to have been on fire exactly 40 times and in 46 distinct and separate places.The girl was not suspected at first First the carpet back of the piano was discovered on fire and a part of the instrument was destroyed.Then lire was discovered in closet up stairs and much loss resulted.Then a couch on the first floor was on fire. Then a bed was found to be on fire. In turn the kitchen. x paper bag with apples and other various places were fired and it kepi he whole family with the neighbors busy in quenching the flames.The Conklin girl was then accused lint stoutly denied having set fire tc my part of tlie house and backed up her defense with tears and carrying n in a terrible manner.About four o’clock yesterday afternoon the Bournes were sitting out in their front yard and the Conklin girl with them.Well,” said Mr. Bourne, the only part of the house that hasn’t been 011 fire is (lie batli room.”Mrs. Bourne directed the giri tc go indoors and prepare for supper. In a few minutes smoke was seen orning from the house once more Hid this time Bourne rushed in-loops and found the kitchen in .lames.Mr. Bourne reached the kilchor tiist in time it is alleged to see the girl pour coal oil in a cupboard drawer where towels were kept and then strike some matches and ignite the drawer, liven after she was eon-fronted witii this act the girl stoutly denied having had anything to do witii it. everybody who has looked into the case believes the girl is demented. No charges have as vetTabVBEWillO
Newspaper Details
Connersville Evening News
Connersville, Indiana, US
Fri, Oct 14, 1910
Page 5
Full Page
Clipped by
Kokomo-Howard C.
IN, USA 16 Jan 2024
Other Publications Near Connersville, Indiana
Connersville Times
Connersville Weekly Times
Connersville Evening News
Connersville News Examiner
Connersville Daily Examiner
