Mysterious Occurrences Near Mevagissey
Incendiarism at St. Gorran.
At eight o’clock on Sunday evening at Trelispan farm a stack of straw in the farmyard was discovered on fire. This soon burnt itself out, and P.C. Still, of Mevagissey, was fetched to make an examination of the scene of the conflagration. Shortly after his arrival it was found that the fire was the work of an incendiary, and a sharp watch was set to discover the miscreant.
The servant-girl had to go in the front room for something, but as soon as she reached it a large stone was thrown at the window by someone in hiding outside. Search was immediately made, but the thrower of the missile escaped into an adjoining wheat-field. Notwithstanding a vigorous search, the culprit escaped, but all through the night he kept up a shower of stones, wome of which struck the watchers and the dog. One window also was battered in.
About five o’clock the next morning the watchers went to get some refreshments at the farmhouse, and during their absence the stable and barn were set on fire, and nothing now remains of this building but the four walls. By hard work the adjoining building and several packs of wool were saved.
The greatest mystery of all now appeared. At eleven o’clock, whilst the farmyard was full of people, a haystack quite two hundred yards from the other buildings was found to be on fire, and this also was burnt to the ground. Altogether, the affair is shrouded in mystery. Inspector Vercoe, of St Austell, with two officers, made strict investigations, but had not the slightest clue to the incendiary.
The damage sustained by Mrs Whetter for loss of hay, straw, etc., is estimated at from £100 to £200, and the damage to the barn, etc., which is the property of the Earl of Mount Edgcumbe, is estimated at about the same amount. Mrs Whetter is insured in the West of England Fire Insurance Company, but it is not known if the Earl’s property is insured.
It is hoped that Inspector Vercoe will succeed in making an arrest, as it is clear that the fires were not the result of accident but design.
Cornishman, 11th August 1892.