San Andreas independent., 1860-08-11
EXCITING NEWS FROM rExA,

The following is an extract from the Bon
ham Era Texas:
Thedestructive and mysterious fires that oc-
Cured throughout our portion of the State,
on the 18th July, were a theme for specula-
tion until to-day. Some attributed their oc-
curence to the spontaneous combustion of
prarie matches, caused by the excessive heat
of that day. But the conviction seemed to
prevail that they were the result of precon-
certed arrangements set on foot by abolition
emissaries, who had heretofore been expelled
from the county. That this latter position
was correct is verified by the subjoined let
ter from Dr. Pricer, editor of the Dallas Her.
aid:
DALLAS, July 10, 1860.
CAPT. DELIsLE-DEAR SIR Il write in
haste, that you may prepare your people for
the most alarming state of affairs that has
ever occurred in Texas. On the 18th 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. Eakmes was
burned after that the dwelling house of E.
P. Nicholson was fired, but discovered in
time to arrest the flames. On Thursday the
premises of Grill Miller, with large amount
of oats, grain, etc, were totally consumed
This led to the arrest of some negroes and
white men. A most diabolical plan was then
discovered, to devastate this entire portion of
Northern TeXas-extendingt to the River coun-
ties. 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 ingeniously contrived 1t makes
the blood run cold to hear the details. This
whole country Will be laid waste with fire,
destroying all the ammunition, provisions,
arms, ETC., to get the country in a state of
helplessness; and then on election day, in
August, to makea general insurrection aided
and assisted by the emissaries from the North
and persons friendly to them in our midst
Their sphere of operations is districted and
sub-distrcted, giving to each division close
supervision by one energetic white man, who
controls the negroes as his subordinates. A
regular invasion and real intestine war
You all at Bonham are in us 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. PRIOR.
Comment on the above would be superiiu-
Gus. Everybody will see the necessity of i'm
mediate action and thorough organization
throughout the country, and to this end it is
proposed that meeting of the citizens of
Tanning county to be held in the court house
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 18th instant.
so far as we are yet able to learn, are as fol-
lows: Dallas-the entire business portion of
the town, including every mercantile house
in the place; loss estimated at S400,000.-
Belknap-Eight large storehouses were de-
stroyed the buildings were owned by Drs.
Foote and Throgmorton; loss not given
Milford, Ellis county-Totally destroyed
Black Jack Grove-One mercantile house );
loss, 100000. Observation-Disclosures house.
Denton--the storehouse of J. NJ. Smoot, with
the house of Jacobs, and that of Baines &
Turner; total loss estimated at 100000. Pi
lot Point-Two storehouses owned by Mr..
Smoot, of Denton total loss, $4,000. Fort
Worth-A mercantile house loss not given.
The storehouse of Mr.. E. Dupree, totally de-
stroyed loss, about $25, 900. 1t is also re-
ported that two houses were burned in Jeffer-
son and at Honey Grove, in this county,
one house was fired, but put out before much
damage was done. steam Touring mill
was burned at Wildwood, Texas.