The Daily Century: 20 June 1925 Sat
UFO hovers over town. Arson plot puts man behind bars. Betting man visits Eau Claire.
A dose of the news Chippewa Valley folks were reading on Friday, June 20, 1925. Source: The Eau Claire Leader.
PECULIAR STAR IS VIEWED OVER CITY
Phenomenon Lurches With Horizontal Motion; Grows Brilliant, Fades.
An unusual phenomenon was viewed last night in the sky to the southwest of here about midnight. The star or comet, for it might be either, first grew to a brilliance, never equalled b any star seen here and then just as suddenly would fade out until it was practically invisible in the night sky.
Harold Henning first reported seeing the star which, when sighted to some stationary object, was seen to lurch first to one side and then the other. At times the star had brilliant sparks flying from it in almost the manner of a comet but as these were visible for a short time only, the sky visitor could scarcely be called a comet with a sweeping tail.
The phenomenon was not falling towards the earth, but merely jumping back and forth in a horizontal motion. The action was easily seen by the naked eye because of the rapidity of the lurches, yet the star really was not traveling in any one direction, for despite the apparent movement it remained in practically the same spot during the period of time that it was under observation.
Ladysmith Man Who Burned House in Extortion Plot Gets Two Years at Waupun
JOHN EASTWOOD REVEALS DETAILS OF INGENIOUS SCHEME; IMPLICATES CONFEDERATES
The last phase of an ingenious scheme to extort money out of a Conrath, Rusk county, merchant by burning a house under circumstances that would make the merchant liable was written in circuit court here yesterday when Judge James Wickham sentenced John Eastwood, of Ladysmith, to the state penitentiary at Waupun for a term of two years.
Markley Called Brains
Eastwood pleaded guilty to a charge of arson in the daytime when arraigned this morning but maintained that a confederate, Paul Markley, also of Ladysmith, who is now awaiting trial in circuit court was the instigator and brains of the plot. Eastwood related details of the crime which resemble a Nick Carter mystery. The man was arrested at Ladysmith May 19.
Eastwood, who is 35 years of age and is the father of three children, declared that he sent his wife to a store owned by G. W. Woodward, at Conrath with a kerosene can in which to purchase gasoline. Mrs. Eastwood was given the gasoline in the kerosene can and at her request was given a sales slip, which would establish proof of the purchase.
Insurance Collected.
Eastwood then poured the gasoline around the kitchen of the house in which he lived and set it afire. The house and furniture was a total loss. That was on February 25.
Both the house and furniture was owned by Eastwood's father-in- law, Adolph Niener, who collected insurance totalling $3500.
Eastwood, declared Woodward, the store owner, responsible for the fire in that he had sold gasoline to them in a kerosene can and that when he went to use it to start a fire in the kitchen stove it exploded and set the house on fire. He said to have approached Woodward and attempted to obtain money settlement, pointing out to the store keeper that the state law prohibits sale of gasoline in anything but red containers so labelled. Failing to obtain a settlement, suit for $8,000 was brought by Eastwood against Woodward.
Ladd Secures Confession
Woodward's suspicions were aroused and he explained the entire story to Boyd C. Ladd, of Eau Claire, deputy state fire marshal. On advice of Mr. Ladd, Woodward went to Paul Markley, a man-about-town, friendly with Eastwood, and offered Markley a bribe to tell him the correct story of the Eastwood fire.
Markley revealed the entire plot, saying that Eastwood had taken him into confidence. Eastwood was confronted with the details of the plot by Mr. Ladd and his confession followed. In his confession Eastwood charged Markley with instigating the plot and engineering its execution and declared Markley was to split with him on whatever money could be secured from Woodward.
Markley was arrested. He pleaded not guilty when arraigned before Judge Williams in municipal court and was bound over to circuit court. He is now at liberty on bonds of $3,000.
Mrs. Eastwood and Mrs. Markley were taken into custody shortly after Eastwood was arrested but were released after questioning, the authorities being convinced they were not parties to the conspiracy.
It was said at the time of Eastwood's arrest that action might be taken by the insurance company to recover insurance money paid Mr. Niener, but investigation so far has shown Niener to be an entirely innocent party and as he actually suffered loss of the house and furniture such action is unlikely.
Eastwood was brought to Eau Claire yesterday by Sheriff V. V. Miller and Dist. Atty. H. F. Duckart, of Rusk county. Mr. Duckart appeared for the state. Following the sentence Eastwood was returned to the Rusk county jail to await removal to the penitentiary.
GLOBE TROTTER COVERING WORLD ON WAGER, HERE
20-YEAR-OLD FRENCH-CANADIAN LAD IN EAU CLAIRE; MOVING WESTWARD
Adrien Vermette, 20 year old French-Canadian globe trotter and former cowboy, who comes from the province of Quebec, arrived in Eau Claire Friday, enroute to Winnipeg, Can., via St. Paul, on an around the world tour, which he is making on a wager with certain big movie stars. He leaves tonight westward bound.
Young Vermette, who speaks no English, or very little of it, has been on the tour for a little over 4 years. He is supposed, under the provisions of the wager, to have eleven years in which to complete his tour, touching every country on the globe. He has, therefore, over 6 years to finish his tour. Under the provisions of his wager he travels without any money; cannot beg food, money, rides or anything else, but can accept anything freely offered him.
He has fared pretty well, he said, people generally being generous in their treatment of him. He was at Owen, Wis., yesterday, where he was well taken care of, and came to Eau Claire in an auto with a man who invited him to jump in and take a ride.
Of course, things do not always pass off as nicely as this, and he has many interesting experiences to relate of his trip so far.
Every city he visits he secures a signed letter from the mayor, newspaper editors and others to show or certify that he was at such and such a place on such and such a date. He has a great sheaf of these certificates, covering a wide range of territory.
Plus:
Big rock prevents catastrophe.
Klan rallies in Osseo.
Eau Claire man plans Florida amusement park.