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Webb Gin Target of Arson
The Hugo Husonian November 1912

Shot at Man who Fired Gin
Horseman undertook to set Webb Gin at Soper on Fire
Incendiary escaped but cotton was set on fire and Nineteen bales were injured by flames

Sunday night another attempt was made to burn the Webb gin at Soper, and James McComans, the nightwatchman, fired five shots at the man who made the effort to fire the plant.
Sunday night a man rode up to the gin on a horse and was seen to drop a match on the cotton near him. McComans made an effort to get to the intruder and when the marauder galloped away sent a volley of pistol shots after the fleeing rider.
The work of the incendiary was well started, as fire immediately started and before it could be extinguished 19 bales of cotton were considerably damaged.
Mr. McComans did not know the incendiary and could give no accurate description of him or the horse he rode.
The fires in the gins of Charles Webb have been disastrous during the present season, the gin at Soper burning down just after it was completed and at a heavy cost to Mr. Webb who carried no insurance. Later in the fall his gin at Grant was burned down, and in a few days the Hugo gin was discovered to be on fire. Mr Webb's losses have been very heavy and he has been keeping close watch on the gin properties of late.

transcribed by Ron Henson