DESTRUCTIVE FIRE IN MADISON TOWNSHIP-1860

SHERRILL, FINLEY, DENIO, SMITH, FAY

Posted By: cheryl Locher moonen (email)
Date: 6/6/2020 at 13:12:32

The Anamosa Eureka, Anamosa, Iowa, Friday, November 23, 1860

DESTRUCTIVE FIRE IN MADISON TOWNSHIP- A barn belonging to David Sherrill, who resides in Madison Township, was totally destroyed by fire last Friday night. The flames were discovered issuing from the roof about 12 o’clock, and had made such headway that it was impossible to save the contents.

Mr. Sherrill loses a span of valuable horse, 14 hogs and pigs about 500 bushels of wheat, corn and oats, and a set of harnesses.

P. Denio lost a span of horses, and a set of harness. He is a new settlor in the township, having just purchases a farm, and the loss will be a heavy one for him.

P. Smith also lost a horse. H. Finley lost 85 bushels of wheat which he had stored there.

The fire is supposed to be the work of an incendiary.

P. S. Since writing the above, we learn that the “Jones County Horse Protection Society,” suspected H. A. Fay, a farmer of Madison Township, to be the guilty person, took him, and by threats of hanging, succeeded in getting him to confess that he was the incendiary. A warrant was then sworn out, and he was arrested by a constable, in whose custody he was when out informant left.