Jasper County Democrat, Volume 12, Number 47, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 25 September 1909 — $125,000 IS COST OF GETTING EVEN [ARTICLE]

$125,000 IS COST OF GETTING EVEN

Factory Watchman Admits He Started Big Blaza SAYS HE WAS OVERWORKED Police Declare the Alleged Incendiary Stated to Them That He Was “Going to Be On the Square" and That Then He Confessed That He Had Applied. Torch to the McDougal Furniture Factory In Indianapolis. Indianapolis, Sept. 24.—That he had set fire to the McDougall furniture factory in order to “get even” with the company for “overworking” him, was the confession to the police of Otto Truhann, night watchman at the plant. The fire destroyed the factory and eleven residences, causing a total damage of about $125,000. "I am going to be on the square with you,” the police say Truhann told them after he had been questioned at some length, 'and you can believe me this time. Those fellows down there worked me to hard, and I decided to even up just a little.” The prisoner, it is said, stated he tossed a lighted oil soaked rag into the factory drying room where there were combustibles in quantity. The man has the look of a lunatic and at one time was an inmate of an asylum. Suspicion was drawn to Truhann by his actions at the fire. He did not seem to be much concerned, and after the fire was well started he disappeared. This led to the rumor that he had entered the burning building and had lost his life. A search was made for him about the edge of the ruins and it was not until hours had passed that he was found at home asleep in bed.