The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1860-08-03
FEARFUL ADOLF TON RAID.

From the Bonham CTexas) Era, of July II.
The destructive and mysterious fires that
occurred throughout our portion of the
State on the 9Th instant, were theme of
speculation until to day; some imputed their
origin to the Spontaneous combustion" of
prairie matches, caused by the excessive
heat of that day, but the conviction seemed
to prevail that they were the result of pre-
concerted arrangements set on foot by AbO.
lition emissaries, who had heretofore been
expelled from the country. That this latter
position was correct, is verified by the sub
joined letter from DR.. Pryor, editor of the
Dallas Herald:
DALLAS, July Is, 1860.
CAPT. DEL1sLE-Dear Sir: l write in
haste that you may prepare your people for
the most alarming state of affairs that has
ever occurred in Texas. On the 9Th of
July, the town of Dallas was fired, and the
whole business portion entirely consumed.
Every store in town was destroyed. The
next day, the dwelling house of j. j. Ea-
kins was burned. After that, the dwelling
house of E. P. Nicholson was fired, but dis
covered in time to arrest the flames. On
Thursday, the premises of Grill Miller, with
a large amount of oats, grain, ETC., were to-
tally consumed. This led to the arrest of
some negroes and white men. A most dia.
bolical plan was then discovered to devas-
tate this entire portion of northern Texas,
extending even to the Red river counties.
White men, friends of the Abolition
preachers, Blunt and Mckinney, who were
expelled from the country last year, are the
instigators of the plot. The whole plan is
systematically conceived, and most inge.
niously contrived. 1t makes the blood run
cold toShear the details. The whole country
was to be laid waste with fire, destroying
all the ammunition, provisions, arms, etc. to
get the country in state of helplessness,
and then on election day IN august to make
a general insurrecti0n, aided and assisted by
emissaries from the north, and persons friend.
~ to them in our midst. Their sphere OF
operations is districted and subdistricted,
giving to each division a close supervision
by one energetic white man, who controls
the negroes as his subordinates. A regular
invasion, and real intestine war. You all
at Borham are in as much danger as we are.
Be on your guard, and make these facts
known, by issuing extras to be sent in every
direction. All business has ceased, and the
country is terribly excited.
In haste yours truly,
CHAS. R. PRYOR.
Comment on the above would be super.
huous. Everybody will see the necessity of
immediate, energetic action, and thorough
organization throughout the country; and
to this end, it is proposed that meeting of
the citizens of Fannin county be held in the
courthouse at Bonham, at 10 o'clock on
Saturday next, when the subject will be fully
discussed and measures adopted for future
safety.
The fires that occurred on the 9th inst,
as far as we are yet able to learn, are as
follows:
DALLAs.-Ihe entire business portion of
the town, including every mercantile house
in the place. Loss estimated at four hum
dred thousand dollars.
BELKNAP.-Eight large store houses were
destroyed. The buildings were owned by
Drs. Foote and Throgmorton, of Mckinney.
Loss not given.
MILFORD, Ellis county.-This place is
totally destroyed.
BLACK JACK GRovE.--One large mer-
camille house loss $4,000.
WAxAHACHIE.-Oneh house.
DENroN.--The store house of j. M.
Smost, with the house of Jacobs, and that
of Baines & Turner. Total loss estimated
at 100000.
PILOT PoINr.-Oae store house owned by
j. M. Smoot, of Denton. Total loss over
$4,000.
Fort WORTH. A mercantile house.
Loss not given.
LADoN1A, Fannin county.--The store
house of Mr.. E. Dupree totally destroyed.
Loss about 1925, 900.
1t is also reported that two houses were
burned in Jefferson, and one at Honey
Grove, in this county; another house was
fred, but the flames were extinguished be-
fore much damage was done. A steam
Touring mill was burned at Wildwood, Col.
lin county, Texas.