Another Wicked DeRuyter Woman
Sherburne News, Oct. 13, 1883
DeRuyter appears to have her share of wicked women. At about 2 o'clock, Sunday morning, the 23d ult., L.H. Crandall and wife were awakened by Ellen Flemming, a maiden of some 40 summers, rushing down stairs and screaming at the top of her voice that the house was on fire. Mr. Crandall sprang up and not heeding the domestic's protest that he "would get burnt to death," hastened upstairs and found the bedding and the clothing which lined the walls of Miss F.'s room in flames. With ready help from other members of the family the burning articles were tumbled into the street. On opening a door which led into a garret, more goods belonging to the same woman were found to be in flames. They were also thrown out in time to save the house, a few pails of water being brought to compete the work. A kerosene lamp lay unbroken on the chamber floor, and from the door, benzene or kerosene had been poured on the carpet to help on the flames. Miss Flemming had a short time before procured a $400 insurance policy on her goods, and apparently had this incendiary method of securing that paltry sum at the cost of jeopardizing the lives of Mr. Crandall and family and Frank Seaman, who also occupied a part of the house. Miss Flemming, fearing prosecution, paid Mr. Crandall $25 for injury to his house, and selling her effects for what they would bring, dug out for Michigan, leaving the matter of insurance to adjust itself.--Oneida Union. [Sherburne News, Oct. 13, 1883]
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