Amish Country Arson Read Online Free PDF Page B

Anyone with extra hay was to bring bales to the Stolfus farm
as soon as the barn was built.
    Rudy Briskey spoke first. “I have plenty of
hay bales and will donate a wagon load.”
    Other farmers responded they would share
their hay.
    The bishop continued, “The sheriff
investigated the barn fire along with the Wickenburg Fire Chief.
They have reason to think the fire was arson. The sheriff said it
must have been set by someone in our community since the person was
riding a horse.”
    Rudy Briskey said in his outspoken way, “Or,
the person wanted to point the finger in our direction to throw
suspicion away from himself.”
    “ This the sheriff has to find out,” the
bishop said. “Until he arrests the person, he said we should be
watchful at all times. He expects the arsonist to strike again. No
telling who might be the next target of such an unbalanced person.
This is a dangerous time for Plain people.”
    Jonah Stolfus stood up. “I heard some harsh
words about the arsonist at the salebarn and Yoder's Country Store
already. I will be honest with all of you before God. As a
community, our biggest weakness is we do not come together and pray
for the souls of people who cause us trouble. If we could do that,
maybe the light would come to the arsonist that he has done wrong.
I would be the first one to go to the sheriff and say, “Just give
me his hand. I will take him on home. He is one of us. Forgive
without punishing it says in Colossian.”
    “ We are supposed to practice what we
preach,” Bishop Bontrager said. “Jonah Stolfus is right. We should
pray God intervenes and helps this man who is so tormented to come
forward and atone for his wrongs. If he could see how much harm his
actions have caused others, maybe he will repent.”
    Members nodded their heads and many said
amen.
     

Chapter 3
     
    At the noon fellowship lunch, Jim said to
John, “You know I was thinking we ought to head home this week, but
I've changed my mind. I just have to stay long enough to help build
the barn. Nora can take pictures to show our friends when we get
home.”
    John frowned slightly. “Make sure to tell
Nora to stay back far enough that she does not get our faces in her
pictures.” His voice was low. Meant only for Jim.
    “ I'm sorry, John. I forgot that,” Jim
said contritely.
    John waved his hand at Jim. “That is all
recht. It is hard to remember sometimes the differences between our
beliefs. The Plain community for generations has rebuilt burnt or
destroyed barns. Plain farmers cannot do without a barn for their
livestock, but we can do without praise or pictures for doing what
is recht to help each other.
    You were here a year ago when we repaired
barns after the tornado. A barn raising is much the same except it
takes longer. Building can take a week at least in good weather of
dawn to dusk effort depending on the size of the barn and how much
help we have.
    Plain people come from miles around to help.
Some have lost their own barns at one time and received help
rebuilding. They remember how bad they felt about their loss. Now
they are seeking to return the favor.”
    Bishop Bontrager swallowed his last bite and
spoke. “The plan is to get the farmer's animals and hay under roof
as soon as possible, both for practical and psychological
reasons.”
    Samuel Nisely nodded in agreement. “Sure
enough, a barn fire is a traumatic experience for any farm family.
To see Chicken Plucker's farm animals endangered and his equipment
and hay go up in smoke is a sight none of us can forget. Chicken
Plucker sure enough will never forget how awful it felt.”
    Eli Mast added, “So far Chicken Plucker has
lost two cows and a horse that were badly burnt. He is not sure how
many more will die. As it is, his milk production has cut way down
with so many of the cows not feeling well. That means a loss in
income.”
    “That's really tough,” Jim agreed. “Winter's
coming, too. A barn on his farm would be the handiest for him,