The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1839-11-09
From lie Courier and Eaanire,

attempt 10 Fire The City Prison. Abou. l2 o'clock
on Sunday night the keepers Of the City Prison
alarmed by the prison being suddenly filed with dense
smoke. As the bells that time ringing for FIRE,
u was al first supposed that Of the outbudIngs OF
the establishment were burning but on instituung
search, 1t found that the smoke emitted from
cell No 81, the second corridor, which tenant
ed by tho notorious burglar named William Thompson,
alas Dnpree alias half dozen other aliases, who
recently arrested while IN the act Of robbing in
Cedar street IL appeared tina, the prisoner had split
up his bunk into small pieces, and put them between
the outer and doors Of the CELL and then FIRE
to the same, with the probable intention Of eectng
his escape.
The inner door being cased with iron, it was mpos-
sbe that the prisoner could be harmed by the fire. and
the doors being the only woodwork about the prison. it
equally impossible that the fire could spread so as
TO do any considerable injury The bolts Of the inner
door being fastened TO the work. the prisoner could
not effect his enlargement by the aid Of the fire Alone
and to secure this point u appeared that he had prev
ously sawed of the bolts. Had he escaped from the
cell he could have made his way Of the prison.
the keepers constantly the watch by night as
well as during the day-a circumstance which he had
probably overlooked The lire easily extingushed
and the prisoner removed another CELL where he was
secured IN irons. He had before attempted his escape
by digging through the partition wall into another CELL
in which he succeeded but was foiled in his attempt by
finding the doors locked.
Thompson is accomplished vlain--probably one
Of the most expert burglars that infested our city
II somewhat remarkable that he is the only prisoner
that ever escaped from tie Moyamensing prison al Rh
ladepha, which he did by means Of boring through The
doors. lie still remains indebted TO the State Of Penn.
sylvana for :. four years service" Having failed
in his last attempt he appears entirely discouraged
humble and heart broken, and hegs hard Of the keeper
that he may be furnished with 1.-TWO shlngs worth Of
laudanum' with which to destroy himself lie will now
be tried no, only for large number Of burgaries, but
also for crime arson !.
Arson.-On Tuesday last the stable and barn of
Lewis Naudain, on the Bloomingdale road, ne r
SixtySixth street. was set fire, and with its con-
tents, consisting OF quantity of hay and grain, with
also two horses and a COW, were totally consumed.
Yesterday, an ugly looking fellow, German named
Henry Rote, was arrested and brought before JUS
lice Taylor, at the upper police charge OF having
fired the stable.
II appeared from the affidavs that Rotte had till
recently been in Mr.. NaudanS employ as servant,
but was about two weeks since discharged. Since
his discharge, Rote had several times slept in the
stable, which being discovered by Mr.. NJ he order
ed him TO leave the premises altogether. Since
that time he has been repeatedly heard To threaten
TO burn Mr.. Naudaln's house over his head, and on
the night OF the fire he to leave the stable
not more than five minutes before the fire broke out.
Rote was fully committed on the charge TO await
his trial