Rensselaer Republican, Volume 15, Number 47, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 2 August 1883 — The Keener Arson Case. [ARTICLE]

The Keener Arson Case.

Lyman Brooks is a resident of Keener, and is connected with some of the best people of that township. William Abraham is supervisor of roads in the same township. Brooks having been notified by Abraham to work out his road tax refused to do so on the ground of physical inability to labor. A personal altercation, and much subsequent bad feeling, between the two men was the result of Brooks’ refusal to work.

Abraham brought suit against Brooks for the amount of his road tax, and the latter’having failed to appear at the trial of the case, judgement was given against him by default. 'Abraham then caused the L I. &L railroad to be gamshed for certain money due Brooks for work. The pay car on the said rail-road came along on July 16th and Brooks upon learning that his pay could not be obtained, became very angry, and, it is alleged, made various threats of vengenance against Abraham. That night the latter’s barn was set fire by any incendiary and with its contents burned to the ground. A fine team of mules was ruined by the fire, and a total loss of more than SSOO, sustained. Brooks was arrested for the crime and on Thursday and Friday last, underwent a preliminary examination before justice Shortridge of Keener, W. W. Watson, the deputy prosecutor appearing for the state and R. W. Marshall, of Keener for Brooks. The court decided to bind Brooks over to the Circuit Court in the sum of S4OO, which was furnished. Brooks as before remarked, is connected with many of the best people of Keener, and a man who would not naturally be suspected of so grave a crime. His friends hold to the theory that some of the other enemies of Abraham, having knowledge, of the quarrel between the two men, took advantage of an occasion when suspicion would naturally rest upon Brooks, and set fire to the barn.