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Of Bert Bourne Near Mixer-ville, Franklin County.FIRED IT 46 TIMES.Finally Caiighi in Act of Pouring t’oul Oil in Cupboard Drawer Containing Towels and Set Them 011 Fire.A strange story comes front the north-east portion of Franlvlin county telling of the mania of a young girl for destruetion by fire.Iiert Bourne has a beautiful residence of a most modern type near the cast border of the county on the Mixerville pike. On last Tuesday morning the house was discovered to he on fire. With tite help of neighbors the ilames 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 the Children's Home by Mrs. Edward Conklin.At the morning fire the biazi 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 •hnneed to be 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 appies and othei various places were fired and it kepi he whole family with the neighbor? busy in quenching the flames.The Conklin girl was then accused but stoutly denied having set fire tc my part of (lie house and backed up her defense with loars 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, tile inly part of the house that hasn't been on fire is tlie bath room.”Mrs. Bourne directed the girl tc go indoors and prepare lor supper. In a few minutes smoke was seen oming from the house once more Bid this time Bourne rushed in-loot’s and found the kitchen in .lames.Mr. Bourne reached the kitchen lust in time it is alleged to see the tirl pour coal oil in a cupboard drawer where towels were kept and then strike some matches and ignite the drawer, liven after she was confronted with this act the girl stoutly dented having had anything to do with it. Everybody who has look'd into the case believes the girl is demented.. No charges have as yet. been filed against her. A bundle of matches was found in one of theEtTaBiIVJaglt;Cohutait!
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
