Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1858-12-20
By Saturday Evenings Malls.

James river, about two miles west Of this city
took fire and was entirely destroyed. About
the year 1850, two German gentlemen, selec-
ted a retired spot on the south canal bank,
near Rutherford's cid mill, built an immense
ark, twenty-five by ninety feet, in which to
place their mill machinery, to be driven by
a large wheel, which in turn was to be driven
by the current. The ark, was completed 10 the
wiuter of ISL and was mOored to the bank by
cords and chains. 10 Avrl, 1852, aud before
the machinery was received from the North,
a tremendous food occurred 10 the river, aud
the drift wood piling mountain high against
! the ark, she parted her cables and loatcd of
down the river, passing between the piers OF
the Petersburg Railroad bridge and running
upon one of the 70 ky islands a few HUNDRED
yards below, where she stuck fast, deyiug all
Efforts to remove her, after the angry waters
had subsidized. About two years thereafter
this ark was fired and burned
Nothing daunted by this mishap, and be-
| lieving tha, ship milP' would prove highly
successful in this region OF country, Messss
Charles A. Seis l. Co. set to work at once,
built another ark twenty-one by eighty feet,
erected u six story frame house on the river
bank, to be used for storing grain, flour lum-
Der and machinery, and for Offices and dwell
ings, and began III earnest to put up their
mill machinery, preparatory to grinding
Just as they were about ready for operations,
| the hard winter of 1855 e set IN, and the
water wheel was carried away bv the Il )ating
ice. During the summer of 1886 new
wheel was made, and the mill was thought
to be ready for grinding the next season, but
another severe winter produced an album
dance OF ice, and the wheel was again des
troyed Messrs S. & Co., not wiling to give
up an enterprise which they believed to be 3
good one, and CD which they had spent thou
sands of dollars, soon replaced the lost wheel
arranged six pair Of turrs for grinding, and
started their machinery, as an experiment.
Every thiog working well, they concluded
| their difficulties we're at an end, and were
cOngratulating themselves on mostsuc:esS'
full season; but a spring flood came down,
dessoyed the small! ligtte. which supported
thS water wheel on one side. and completely
frustrated their designs for 1857. Si"cc that
time Messrs S. & Co., have been doing very
little, save repairing the ark and machinery,
and endcavoring 10 be ready for the grinding
season Of 1859.
The fire last Thursday night originated in
the kitchen Of the largo frame house. and was
entirely accidental. Mr., Seig was in the
building at the lime, just preparing for bed
and barely had time to escape from the de-
vouring flames, losing IL ST Of bis wardrobe,
and all bis papers and books. a serVant,
who occupied an clubhouse, also bad mar
row escape.
From the best information we can gather,
there seems to be 10 doubt that Mes3rs. ,. u
Co. have sunk in tais ship milr" enterprise
from forty 10 fifty thousand dollars 10 cash,
and that their entire loss, including time
and interest, equals If it does not exceed
$4,000. They had no insurance in this
city.-Rich. Dispatch.
NORTH CAROLINA ANNUAL CONFERENCE. -
SEVENTH DAY.-Thc case Of Rev. {. +.
Deems was resumed. Bishop KavaEauSh
read his decisions on the questions submit
teed to him Yesterday, whcreuaOn DR.. Carter
repea,ed hisdesire and intention OF withdra"
ing the second charge ard specifications (lAe
first charge aud specifications having been
ruled out under the Bishops declsion0t Mon
day.
| 4 resolution with an historical preamble,
declaring the trial Of Dr.. Deems at PittsburS
| in 1854 q legal trial and acquitted, and en-
bodying on endorsement Of the sentiments
expressed by a resolution OF the Con;o'euce
at Greensboro in 1856, was unanimously
adopted by rising vote. .,
d.. Deems asked Tor a certified copy OF all
the proceedings in his case, from the record,
which was, on motion, granted.
The Conference then res lived to 60 into the
vote Of hat is generally known as the 'eS-
pungipg resulutlons;" that is, 10 strike from
the General Rules the section iofbiGJing the
buyirg and selling slaves. The roll was
called and the result anncun ced, Tor e1puDg-
ing, eighty-six against meme.
LARGE LAND SALEs.--Bcnsou & Bro, Auc-
,iopeers, sold at auction on Wednesday last,
On the PREMISES, the extensive and valuable
estate of the late General William +. CIV
don. known as "Eigcmopt,' n;aining /
OIL "a acres. at $50 80 per acre. d.. Ch&s
Hancock, e A!bemar!p, was The purchaser.
This is one Of the largest, and cons'dernt
the SIZE If the tract, one OF the best safes cl
| land that has taken place IN the county Tor
several years. a large nun Der OF slaves be-
lonsiuc to the estate was sold a. the sam"
time, at en,rmous prices.--Chmi0heSr1'e
Adrocate.
Ell. GILL, esq, has accepted the appoint
ment of Superintendent, Of the Virginia and
Tennessee Railroad, to iilthe vacancy occa-
stoned by the resignation OF Col: smith
The Richmond and Petersburg Railroad loses
a valuable cficcr by THIS event, aud the
Virginia and Tennessee regains one OF the
best and most efficient Cficcrs ever engaged
in its service.
The Charlottesville Advocate says:-"Ihe
demand for slaves exceeds anything we ever
before witnessed in this county. The prices
given are enormous. From twelve to fifteen
hundred dollars for men, and from thou
sand to thirteen fer W men, are the limits IN
which we have known slaves sold IN the last
few days.
NEW GOODS, JUST RECEIVED
~ pieces Black Beaver Cloth, for Lad es
Cloaks
1 dozen Steel Skirts of rs springs, the best SEir'
ont: Black Bombaznes aud AIpaccoS; uen,s
Shawls; Fancy MousInes Merlnoes, and Pads
at reduced prices Calicoes; Hosiery; Gloves;
Il H -