James R. Anderson Admits to Setting Fire

Article taken from The Sandusky Star Journal, September 27, 1907

---

Columbus, O., Sept. 27.- James R. Anderson yesterday confessed to State Fire Marchal D. S. Creamer that he aided in setting fire to a flour mill at Portsmouth 20 years ago and that, in fighting the fire, his father and two other men were killed.

Anderson says that strange voices forced him to confess. He will be taken into court Monday for a hearing on a lunacy affidavit.

All the circumstances related by Anderson were verified and it is believed that Anderson's crime has prayed on his mind so much that he has become insane. He went to the sheriff and surrendered. Anderson is forty-two years old.

He says his father and a man named Yeagley owned the mill at Portsmouth. Anderson confessed that he prepared kindling and poured oil on it and then his father touched a match to the pile.

When the wall of the mill fell it killed Anderson's father and two other men.

Anderson had been employed by the Hardest Millin Co., of Columbus. About a week ago when his mind became affected he quit work. The lunacy board affidavit was sworn out by his wife.