Indianapolis News,Indianapolis, Marion County, 29 September 1902

PRISON FOR BARN BURNER; WIFE TOLD OF THE CRIME.

Surl Fletcher Found Guilty of Arson at Oaklandon. With his wife as his principal accuser, Surl Fletcher, a young gambler, was today found guilty of burning the barn of Perry Apple, a farmer, living at Oaklandon. In 1898. He was sentenced by Judge Alford. In the Criminal Court, to one to twenty-one years In the Reformatory. at Jeffersonville. A fine of $10 and costs was added. In November, 1898, Perry Apple and other farmers were successful In obtaining a remonstrance against the granting of a license to William Mock to sell Ifquor at Oaklandon. A few nights later Apple's barn was burned. The detectives failed to find a olew until two months ago. The clew came from Fletcher's wife. She told the detectives that Fletcher had been hired by Mock to burn Apple's barn tor revenge. Fletcher and Mock were arted. The grand Jury failed to And Relent evidence to Indict Mock. i the Criminal Court, to-day. Mrs. Fletcher told her story. Fletcher hired a buggy and compelled his wife to accompany him on the trip. When they reached Apple's barn Fletcher poured kerosene on some hay and fired It. They then drove hurriedly back to town. Fletcher charged his wife with burning the barn, but there was overwhelming evidence against him.