The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-02-13

when Ignition takes place Neither viii it warp nor crack
TasiuS ali these different features into consds
s :: previous plans ' OF
The Ssefxed table exhibits total Of forty ncendiary
fires dtyg the past six months decrease OF ten
pared with the corresponding period Of the previous year
The whole number Of fires amounts to one hundred aud
increase OF Two over the corresponding
months OF 1857 but dimnution OF sixteen compared
with the preceding six months. Hf
The total loss by ares for the half year embraced ths
report amounts 10 81 35an increase Of 087
the corresponding six months This increase attribute
bic 10 the unfortunate destruction Of Crystal Palace
and the burning Of the City Hail. the estimated loss by
these two fires amounting to sS74 $780, deducng this
amount will be seen that the loss by other fires
the corresponding half year Of 1857 500 685 less
the losses Of the preceding six months.
The sum paid by the underwriters amounts TO only
1858 94Sthat being for loss and damage which they
became liable. =.
The Of James II. Msgee, under indictment since
for trial in November, in the Court General Sessions
He did not surrender himself and the bond Of
sequent'y his counsel appeared and sgn6ed his willing
60 TO trial. The Set down by the District
Attorney for the December term.
The case Of James McHugh, alias Peter Kelly, alias
McCue, cannot have escaped your recollection. This
young man belonged TO gang whose ncendiary acts in
The firing OF stables and outhouses kept the neigborhood
Ct Twelfth street and Tenth constant OF
alarm. Two Of hcHughs associates were caught by the
police OF the Ninth ward, and were CONVICTED McHugh
himself escaped, but was subsequently found Black
wells Island by the Fire Marshal, under sentence OF
six months Imprisonment Tor larceny. The fellow was
subsequently indicted for arson and pleaded guilty
Gustavus Ludwig, arrested in March for attempt to
wfuly fire his ut the of Thirty sixth
street and Eighth avenue was placed in the ro@bs to
Roberts, and two German physicians pronounced the
cused to be insane and the Court accordingly directed
him to be sent TO the lunatic asylum Upon recovering
his reason Ludwig brought before the Court and by
the advice Of his counsel pleaded guilty attempt ct
ia the fourth degree This plea was accepted by
Mr. Sedgwick, the learned Assistant District Attorney
Judge Russell suspended sentence the condition offered
by bis friends of his removal from the city.
Francis Dedeu who arrested the 2lst March
last charged with wlfuy setting fire the apartments
in which he lived and carried his trade of bootmakcr
at Sc Leonard street, indicted for in the first
degree, and tried ia the month OF September following
before Judge Russell The jury found the prisoner guilty
Of in the third degree, the facts showing conc
svey that the fire was applied to the stock Of boots and
shoes with intent to prejudice the interests OF the Pa
c1c Fire Insurance Company.
Marcy Hood was tried at the November term of the
court for arson in the first degree, in firing the dwelling
house in the rear of No 81 Sullivan street. in which
raj females living at the time The jury found her
guilty OF the secord degree OF that offence, and Judge
Russell sentenced her to ten years and six months in the
State prison.
During the six months embraced in this report ten ar
rests have been made direct charges suspicion Of
arson. Eight were discharged by the Police Justices
held to await the action Of the Grand Jury, and
victed aud sent to the State Prison.
Among the numerous causes of fire embraced in the
annexed report carcessnes with lamps and candles gave
rise TO twenty one gas light, and gas and spirit explosion
TO sixteen; fireworks TO thrteen chimney lues to twelve
matches, 10 fourteen; window curtains, TO seven Chin
neys to ten sparks on roof, TO thirteen camphene AMI
fluid lamps, TO twenty five.
By these accidents boy burned death by the
explosion OF spirits killed by the falling of
wall; three men and three women suiocated or
burned to death; four women and one girl died from
burns caused by fluid camphene two men, two boys
six women and one girl injured by burns caused by
fluid or camphene, and recovered; and man.
man and one child were burned by other means aud also
recovered.
COOPERATION OF rHE AUTHoRlrEs
cannot conclude this report without expressing the
Mayor, the Police Justices, the Commissioners Police
and the Police Department generally, my acknow.
Judgments for the prompt aid which they have afforded
whenever have had occasion invoke assistance
in the execution of duties. Arduous and dag as
these frequently are the responsibility attached them
has been rendered lees oAerous by the kindly operation
which have received from them.
To the Fire Department my thanks equally due.
Without their cordial aid and Jealous pub
lie service, it would frequently be difficult for TO re-
move the obstacles which lie in the way OF my invcstisa
tons.
With great respect, your obedient servant
ALFRED T.. BAKER Fire Marshal.