Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1834-07-28
INGENUITY AND ROGUERY.

We Yesterday witnessed the evidences Of one
of the most ingenious and systematic attempts
to fire house that ever occurred in this or any
other country. twill be remembered that on
the evening of Monday last, after the process
sion, an alarm Of fire was given; the engines
proceeded to house in Liberty street, a few
doors above Fourth, occupied by Messrs. l. u
] Doughty-burst the doors open, and soon
succeeded in suppressing the flames, Inc evl-
dence of design and guilt were afterwards dis,
covered. The incendiary must have labored
for some days, before he was able to complete
his preparations. The house IS three story
brick building, and has been occupied by the
Doughtys as a workshop for some time past.
II seems, however, that Tor the last month OF
two thew have had exclusive possession.
The first operation OF the lncendlary was 10
make mould for a wax candle, to weigh tour
or five pounds The candle was made accord
inqlv, consisting of yellow wax, white turpen-
tine. and other combustible materials. rms cam
die was placed in a tin CANISTER PROVIDED LOT
the purpose, with holes disposed In various
parts of it, through which wiGks well oiled and
turpentined were drawn: larger wick running
through the centre of the candle. The candle
and canister were placed III wooden box IN
n corner of the room, on the first floor, through
which q hole had beer cut IN order, Wheh the
whole mass of combustbes should be on hre,
to permit portion to drop through into the Gel
lar. Around this box, paper shavlngs, shingie
shavings, oiled paper, and variety OF compus-
tible articles, were disposed; and in order 10
prevent the smoke from the candle from clrcu.
iating through the room, forcing its way out OF
the crevices, and thus attracting the attention
Of the passers by, q pipe had been made ana
attached to the tin canister, tor the purpose OF
conveying the smoke up the chimney:
Further, the various turpentined wicks, pas
sing from the candle through the sides OF The
canister. were carried through holes cut in the
floor for the purpose into the second story-and
here again papers were strewed, account BOOKS
nicely disposed to take fire, and trains OF COM
bnstible matter arranged, clearly with the
object of destroying, not only the house, out
every article it contained. In the second story,
for example, in order to allow the incendlary
an opportunty of saving through the floor, IN
corner of the room, and of thus making COM
muncation with the fire below, several shelves
had been sawed off, and afterwards carefully
re placed with books, papers, engravlngs, &c.
upon them. The candle was found burning
but il seems that the rogue was doomed 10 dis
appointment, in consequence OF the slow pro-
gress made by the fire, or rather in consequence
of the gradual pace with which the wax was
exhausted.
When discovered not one fourth of the can
die had dsappeared--the papers in the lmme-
diate vicinity had taken fire, and small por-
ton ofthe adjoining wood work. AT all events,
ingenious and perfect as the system might have
seemed, the house has not been destroyed, and
the whole scheme of viilany has been detected.
1t is said that Mr.. Doughty, which of them we
are unable to say, left town a week ago.. and
that the property in the house lrdS insured to
the amount of sir thousand dollars! The May
or has ordered an examination of the premisis,