Paul Douglas Bonker, 17, of Cannonsville, was reported to have admitted setting a $10,000 barn fire on the farm of Fred Sherman, R.D.2, Bainbridge [Chenango Co., NY] last Thursday afternoon. He is being held in the Delaware County Jail at Delhi. After young Bonker had been picked up Friday by Troopers on another charge, he was questioned about the fire. It is reported that he admitted to the troopers having set the fire in hay on a ramp leading to the large barn. The barn, located in the Town of Masonville, on the Bennettsville-Masonville highway, contained 75 tons of hay valued at $2,500 to $3,000. There was no cattle in the 70' x 30' structure, only a small amount of equipment. In the blaze, which started about 3:30 p.m., the large barn was leveled as well as another barn, 34' square, and a chicken coop. Due to a very strong wind, the fire was beyond control upon the arrival of the Masonville Fire Department. Fearing that the flames would lash across the highway to the large farmhouse, they summoned the Bainbridge Fire Department which responded with a pumper, a watertank and emergency ambulance. By applying water to the house, it was kept from catching on fire. It is rumored that troppers said young Bonker told them that he had set the blaze for "revenge," but said they had been unable to learn the nature of the youth's alleged grudge. Young Bonker had never been employed by Mr. Sherman.....Arrest of Mr. Bonker was made in the Town of Masonville by BCI Sgt. E.J. Rock, of the Sidney State Police. The defendant waived examination and was committed to Delaware County Jail to await action of the grand jury. [published Bainbridge News Aug. 30, 1956]
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