The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1858-03-04
TIL 4. DISPATCH.
THURSDAY MORNING. ............. MARCH 1, 1855.
49, 49,
Pacific Hotel DeveIopments-Char
xes OF Murder and Arson.

Horrors accumulate. Affidavit was yesterday
morning made before Justice IIsrckenrath, by
capt. j. T. d. Cou2ins, that, to the best of his be-
iief one Charles L. Taylor, alias Sanders, together
with others whom he could identify, had wlfuily
aud naiiciously set fire TO the Pacific Hotel on the
corner OF Poplar and Seventh streets, between the
Isti, and 2lst instant, charging them with con-
sriracy, arson and murder. warrant was at
once issued, and the parties accused, Chas. Wald.
rur, Daniel W. strader, William Terrence and Tay.
ior, were immediately arrested and taken before
the justice Tor examination at 10 o'clock. To al
10" the DEFENDANT time to procure and consult
win counsel, The investigation was postponed un-
Ill to-day.
The circumstances under which the warrant
was sued out. are. We understand, atout as fol-
iows :-Ephram Doane, whose remains were ex-
numed from tho ruins of the fire, reputed to
nave mad the sum OF $4.00 in his possession His
room was adjoining that Of Taylor, plank parti.
tloh, only separating their apartments At about
ten clock preceding the morning Of the disaster.
Iayior was seen 10 go to bed. In the ntighbor-
hood OF one O'Clock he was observed at the corner
OF walnut and Seventh, in company with Sharna
watchmaH OF the Hotel. and florence At A omar
ter past three, he went to the Townslev IIouse ON
Fourth street, without either boots or shoes and
engaged bed, where he remained untiI break e,.t
time.
When the bed was made it was discovered to ba
considerably stained with blood Examination az
the person of Taylor show that he had no en- or
bruise from which blood could have issue5 An
this IN connect on with the fact that the papers y
which the body of Doane was Identified wers
bloody, as was also the straw which the Iemains
were taken, makes group OF circumstances ful-
y JuS'llfihg lsyiors arrest. The latters antece-
dents, too, should not be forgotten. Not a great
while ago, he was unprecedented for a robberv at
the Missouri Hotel, and the evidence of his gniIt
II is said, would have been pretty convincing but
the prosecuting witness was obliged to leave the
city before the trial came on, and the accused WAS
discharged. Moreover, report has it that while in
California he was found guilty of State offence,
ana VAS prisoner at San Francsco. His general
Character furthermore, is bad being that of pa,p.
bier, q rake, and an inebriate
The man Sharpe scarcely be suspected of
any knowledge Of the catastrophe beforehand else
he would not now he lying in critical condition
al the Hospitai but may it not have been that he
was designedly made drnuk by Taylor when Tor.
renee aud he out with him. in order that u,
case Gt fJe, the flames might make sufficient bpa A.
way 10 destroy the proof guilt ere he (Sharpel
could give the alarm,
Should the above be substa1tiated or the mate.
rial allegation be sustained it will not he diticuI,
10 account for the fire and the subsequent awful
destruction Of life.
We presume that the arrest OF Strader Waldrun
and TOrrence COntemplates their being held az wit
nesses. Terrence was in the third story of the
Hotel when the coniiagr2tion broke ont and in
jumping thereirom was badly Injured. The sworn
evidence OF George VI. Hill, at the Corouer's in
| quest would seem to eEonerate DR.. Strader from
any Tor know edge OF the fire. Of WaId M we
do not know so much, but understand he is not i'm
pcated in the transaction, any further than that
| be may know something which he might not be
willing to divulge except on legal investigation
| That the burning Of the Pacific Hotel was no,
accidental, appears to be well settled in the pub
| lie mind and the community will look to the ex
| animation before Justice Herckenrath to unraye
some of the mysteries Connected therewith-S
LOUIS Republican, Goth
The preliminary examination commenced OF
| Friday last. The day was occupied in taking thu
evidence Of Soseph Lyons, one of the proprietor.
of the hotel. Nothing, however, of definite char
acter was elected. The st. Louis Leader says:
| During the progress of the examination, occa
sional turbulent imprecatians were exhibited and
the crowd succeeded, ia spite of the exertion.
! of the police, in obtaining entrance into the
Magistrates Court. GeneralIy, however, every
| thing remained comparatively quiet and although
one or two persons gave expression to intemperate
| language and induged in threats of violence, DC
| outbreak occurred. The testimony of Mr.. Lyons
being concluded some tact was requisite in remov
ing Taylor, under strong guard of the police to
! the jail. This was accomplished, we understand
| by taking him through tie back entrance OF the
Magistrates office. His progress through the
streets was not suspected, TILL he about TO en-
ter the Jail, then crowd, as il magic, surrounded
the door and presently filled the street The pub
lie may, think, rest assured that strict Justice
will be done in the investigation of the case, and
no means left untried to fasten the guilt if there
be any, upon the real perpetrators of the supposed
| crime.
| Taylor had no counsel, but conducted his OWL
| cause,