The Independent Patriot
Lamoni, Iowa

THE WORK OF INCENDIARIES

Mr. J. N. BROWN, living in Ringgold County seven miles west of Lamoni, suffered a week ago last Wednesday night from the work of incendiaries. Two barns, a house, about forty tons of hay, farm machinery, wagons, buggies, etc., were consumed to the extent, we hear, of near $3,000, with an insurance of about $750. The house was occupied by Mr. J. W. DEEDS, who had recently moved there from Lamoni. Everything Mr. DEEDS had in the way of household goods, was destroyed, and himself and family barely escaped with their lives. The house was about a quarter of a mile from the barns; one of the barns was burning when discovered in four or five different places; the presence of coal oil was detected; one buggy left out of doors had been run into the shed, evidently to be burned - these constitute the indubitable evidences of incendiarism.

We all realize from our reading of the World's doings that crime of nearly all kinds is rampant in this land, as well as all others where mankind dwell; but when a dastardly deed like this occurs in our own neighborhood and against one of our own friends, we feel as well as see the conditions by which we are surrounded. We sympathize with Mr. BROWN, and so do his host of friends, whom we had supposed constituted all who know him.

Copied by Stacey McDowell Dietiker
September 6, 2003