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FOREWORD

The following account of my experiences at Caledonia Mills is not just a repetition of what has already appeared in the press. It was judged right to confine the news-paper statement to such things as the expert investigator could attest, and not to mix with these what was in part mere inference by myself. What I have here written down is a true and faithful account of the case as I know it, and as its solution was ap-
parently revealed to me. Others may look at it differently, but I offer this for what it may be worth. I give my own explanation, knowing that it will sound monstrous and incredible to some, just because I cannot account for the facts otherwise. Can anyone else do so? H.B. Whidden.

On January 16th. my attention was directed by a trustworthy friend to a strange series of fires in the home of Alexander Macdonald, at Caledonia Mills. Having had considerable newspaper experience, it instinctively impressed me. From other reliable sources I obtained additional information which convinced me that the stories were authentic. I thereupon summarized the circumstances in a “query” which I sent to my paper, The Halifax Herald. The reply came requesting an immediate investigation by myself in person and a verification of the incidents alluded to. I first interviewed a young man who had visited the Macdonald home on the 12th. of January, the day the family vacated the house because of the fires which threatened to destroy their home and endanger their lives.

Assigned to obtain first-hand accurate and detailed information regarding the fires and other mysterious happenings, I then visited the homestead. It will be recalled that this was in mid-winter and under the most trying and unfavorable climatic conditions. I interviewed Alexander Macdonald, the owner if the house, Mrs, MacDonald, Mary Ellen MacDonald, and Dan and Leo MacGillivary. The latter were neighbors who were eye-witnesses of some of the strange fires. They related their experiences in a straight-forward manner; their integrity was put beyond dispute. I personally examined he house and found many evidences of fire.

Returning to Antigonish, I wrote the facts given to me. The case was so mysterious and the circumstances so weird that I felt my position indeed was unenviable. Therefore, both care and caution had to be exercised to write an accurate and straight-forward story. There was not one word of exaggeration in it.

The whole thing seemed like interesting news, and my newspaper instinct prompted me to pursue it to its conclusion. It soon developed that the story was most unusual. I decided to see it through and to do my utmost to tell the truth conscientiously, and to cast suspicion on no one until there was some substantial reason, thus, I hope, saving innocent people’s good names.