Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1859-01-08
LOCAL ITE rs.

Luz u 1 q Ill o.
DESTRUCTIVE FIRE.-About quarter OF
ten o'clock. on Thursday night, an unoccu-
pied frame dwelling house belonging to MIR.
S. o. Baggett at the South end OF block
known as Laphcn's row, on Columbus, be-
tween Wythc and Madison streets, was dis
covered TO be on fire. The alarm was given
and the inmates of the four adjoining houses
were aroused, and set about moving out their
furniture, &c. There being breeze from
the south. the flames spread along the roofs
Of the other houses in the row, until they were
stopped by wide alley which separated the
burning buildings from the Northern portion
of the row, the occupants of which, also, took
out their furniture &c. Half clad women
and children were running in every direction
looking after their effects and seeking shelter
from the cold and rain which was falling at
the time. The firemcn with their apparatus,
were soon on the spot, but there being no
water nearer than the canal basin could not
do any immediate service. The Sun" Com
panv, however, procuring water from the
canal. soon set to work and extinguished the
fire on the house across the alley, and sue
ceeded in combining the flames to the five
damaged houses, which continued to burn
for hours. giving out most brilliant light.
The two buildings at the south end OF the row
belonged to Mr.. S. o. Baggett and were IN
sured, the other three were the property OF
Mr.. John Laphcn; alsofully insured.
The necessity of Hook and Ladder Com
pany was very apparent at this fire, for had
there been one, it is thought that much prop
ertv could have been saved on the occasion.
As the subject is before the City Council it is
hoped that some action will be ut once taken.
CoNurTrED.-Charles f. Dudley, was ar
rested on Thursday night, charged with set
ting fire to the house in Laphcn's Row, which
caused the destruction of the property men
toned above, and examined before the Mayor,
who committed him tojail 70 await further
examination Oh Monday next.
County Court. IESrERDAY.--George Keep
hart vs.. W. r. Naturalization of unlawful
detainer. The argument upon the instruc-
tons to Jury was concluded all but one
of which instructions the Court refused to
l., tLn q r.
gucd by counsel before the jury, who return
ed verdict for the plaintiff. The defendant
fled exceptions to the opinion Of the Court
in refusing to grant the instructions to the
jury prayed by him. a. X c. F.. Stuart for
the plaintiff. G.. W. Brent and F. l.. Smith
for the defendant. The Court adjourned I'M
ill this morning ut 10 o'clock.
EXHIBITION At LIBERTY HALr.-The Stu
dents of St. Johns Academy were compli-
mcnted. on Thursday evening, by the atten-
dance of very large and attentive audience
upon the Exhibition in aid Of their School
Library At the hour appointed, the cur
tain rose. and james 7. Crump. and Oscar
+. Baggett delivered humorous ''lntroduc-
tory" They We're followed J. Alton Hunter,
in THE Spider and the Fly and Charles
r. Price. George r. RoXbury, ii. Clay En-
erson. James A. Neale, and Richard ID. Mas
scy in "Cowardice and Knayery."
An amusing piece from Handy Andy,
"Tnm Connors Cat was then recited by
Patrick F. O'Gorman. who was succeeded by
Oscar F. Baggett in "Brutus's Ilarangue,
and j. Samuel Wimsatt in Mark Antony's
Grafton" THE Gridiron," by JAS. \. Clar
ridge. Patrick F. O'Gorman, and Richard Ii.
Lyies came next, followed by "Advicc to
Frcmcn," spoken by IL. Clay Emerson, III
character.
The Letter." by james A. Clarridge and
Patrick +. O'Gorman was then performed,
the latter Young gentleman sustaining the
character of Handy Andy to admiration
This was followed by The Frenchman and
the Rats" an amusing comic piece, rccltcd
by Richard H. Lyles Next followed,
The Burial of Hunter Woods" admira-
bly, delivered by G.. William Hunter, and
'The Flight of the Muscogcc, by o. T. Bag
gctt.
The piece of the evening Box and Cox"
came next, ard was performed in excellent
STYLE. bv Richard ii. LyleS, rs Mr.. Box: }.
Samuel Wimsatt. rs Mr. Cox: and ii. Clay
Emerson. as Bouncer. The costumes were
gotten up imprompt" byayoung gentleman
connected with the Alexandria Dramatic As
ISOLATION, to whom much Of the success Of
the piece is due.
VIM B. Price, Jr., then appeared, as 'Thc
Young Virginia Orator, and G. VIM. Hum
ter and j. Samuel Wimsatt gave The Tent
Scene from Cesar" which elected warm APP
plause at the last closing exercises.
Oscar F. Baggett, who has one Of the finest
voices we have ever heard, then rccitcd
"IIans and the Dandy" an admoniton to
prevent the wcarers of mustachOes from be-
ing mistaken for certain long cared animals.
The exercises were concluded by "The
Blundcr of Night" in which Richard II.
I,lI 4 Il. l.: i.