The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1861-01-07
cry INTELLIGENCE.

The FIRE AT THE PEYIrENTIARY.-At the time
the fire took place at the Penitentiary, on the I'D
ult., it was very evident that 1t was the WORK OF
incendiarism, and Warden Evans went immediate
" to work to ferret out the guilty parties. Alter
ten days investigation he compelled to give 1t
up without fixing the guilt on any person. The
Board of Directors then placed the matter in the
hands of Deputy Warden Boberts, and on Thurs
day morning last he commenced operating by pla-
cling negro named Samuel Green, who he sus-
pected, in one of the cells. In the morning before
the prisoners proceeded to work. they allowed to
move along the corridors, and on Friday morning
Deputy Roberts placed man on watch to observe
which of the prisoners went to the door OF the cell
of Green 10 hold conversation with him. A white
man named Joseph Wheatly was standing at
the door talking to Green but was not interrupted
until the order was given to go to work After
Wheatlv had been at work few hours, Deputy
Roberts sent for him and wanted to know what he |
was doing and saying at the door of Green's cell.
" heatly denied having been there, but when he
found that Roberts aware of his having |
been there, he acknowledged that he had stopped |
With Green a %as n Ha' i.aea a nI BY sdrot
agement, the deputy Warden finally succeeded in
making Wheatlev confess his knowledge OF the
perpetrator of the act. He asserted that Green
and negro named Perry had done it, Deputy
Roberts, however, was not satisfied that w heatley
had made clean breast of it, and was determined
that a full exposition of the whole TRANSACTION
should be given. BY system OF operations which
ONLY most experienced officer could adopt he sue |
ceeded in developing the whole case, and obtaining
from all those concerned, full confession OF their
guilt The deed was done by Wheatley and three |
negroes named Green, Perry and Butler The
contractor, Mr.. Duvall, had sixty-three OF
the prisoners in his employ For
month preceding the fire, on account OF
the scarcity of hoop poles the manufacture oil bar
rels had ceased and consequently, the convicts
were Idle. Regularly each morning the conyicts
were marched to the workshop, where they re-
manned in idleness until evening, when they re,
turned to their cells. The four parties named had
by some means procured birthstone and rosin, and
On the Saturday previous to the Sunday on when
the fire occurred, they arranged the birthstone and
rosin in pile of fine shavings, under one OF the
benches A piece of yarn several feet long, was
then procured, the one end of which was placed IN
the shavings and the other several feet away from
the pile In this condition things remained until
Sunday morning about eleven o'clock, when the
match was applied. 1t may not be generally known
that there is Prison Aid Society in this city, COM
posed of gentlemen of known charity. This So
ciety has formed Sunday School in the Peniten-
tary, and on each Sabbath morning, such of the
prisoners as show a religious turn of mind
and penitent dispositions, proceed to the
chapel, where the benevolent gentlemen meet them
and teach them the truths of the gospel. For
most part the attendants on the Sunday school are
said to be the most noted villains-most deceit.ul
and insubordnate convicts in the institution. The
four incendiaries Sunday school scholars, and
the morning in question they attended Sunday
School, and while there they stole from the room,
one at time, and proceeded to the cooper shop,
and about ii o'clock, the negro named Green APP
piled the match while the others looked on, and
then the four returned the chapel and said their
prayers and listened to preaching. The yarn burnt
faster than was expected. 1t was calculated that
the fire would not break out until after night, but
it commenced at four o'clock. The four will be
tried for the ofense and will doubt be convicted.
Drill AssoCIATIoN.-An association styled the
Independent Greys' Drill Association has been
formed in the city, at the head of which some
of our most experienced and thoroughly drilled
military men, The objects Of the association is to
phn II
not belong to either of the military companies of
the city. 1t was long subject of regret that so
little interest manifested by the young men In
regard toJnitary affairs, and the present awaken
ing in hJparticuar is hailed good omen and
promise of activity. Consequently, this associa-
ton has been formed for the purpose of meeting
and gratifying the disposition to cultivate the mil
itary science. The organization is provided with
competent instructors, who will introduce all the
recently improved tactics, thus enabling all to ac-
quire knowledge of the elementary principles of
the science The first meeting will take place on
the night of the 10th inst, at the armory OF the
Independent Grers, on High street, near Gay.
LAW GREys' BALL.-The annual ball of the Law
Greys takes place tonight at the Hail of the Mary
land Institute. This will be one of the grandest
military balls which has ever taken place in our
city. In addition to the usual attractions previ-
Gus to the dancing, the Greys will execute the en-
tire Zouave drill. On former occasion noticed
the proficiency which the corps had acquired in
this particular branch of military science, and 1t Is
regularly since the public exhibition, and are much
improved This drill will be great feature in the
evenings entertainment, and those of our citizens
who desire to witness the greatest perfection in
Louave corps should purchase tickets tor the ball.
DROWNED " yesterday morning a mans hat was
seen floating in the dock, and it was inferred that
man had been drowned. Some parties commenced
dragging, and in short time the body of a man
was hauled up, which taken to the Eastern Dis
rict Police Station House. 1t proved to be that of
man named Edward 0'Brien, but as to how or in
what manner he drowned nothing was known.
Coroner Sparklin held inquest over the body and
verdict of "death from accidental drowning"
was rendered. The friends of the deceased recOg-
nized the body during the day, and removed it to
his late home Jenkins alley, near Hoffman street.
O'Brien about 30 years OF age, and leaves a
wife and three children.
DESPERATE AssAuLT.-About eleven o'clock on
Saturday night ARRAY took place in sailor
boarding house, kept by man named Frank, on
Eastern avenue near Dallas street, between two
negroes, in which one, named John Batris, was
terribly injured. James White and Baltris had a
difficulty when the former assailed the other with
Ratchet, struck him blow in the back and one
on the head, inicting frightful wounds. The skull
was crushed in over the brain, and the wound in
the back four inches long. DR.. Dwinell re-
moved twelve pieces of the skull-bone from off the
brain. White arrested and committed to Jail
for Court. Baltris was sent to his home, n o. l63
Dallas street. where he lies in most critical con-
ditiOn
ACcIDENT.-On Friday afternoon last, sen of
Mr.. Thomas Goldman, Sr., seriously hurt at
the new building on the corner OF Baltimore and
Gilrnor Streets by the falling of heavy piece of
marble upon of his legs. He with Others were
trying to climb up the wall of the house, and in
doing so, the stone disodged and fell upon
young Godman's leg, taking the flesh off to the
bone, from the knee to the ankle. He was carried
to his fathers house short distance Oft, where he
is receiving medical treatment.
ARREST on CHARGE OF RoBDERY.-On Saturday
night negro named James Hughes was arrested on
the charge Of robbing the shoe store of F. Pluty,
Eden street, Jefferson street, n few nights
since. He had in his possession several pairs of
shoes and clock, which were portion of the sto-
len property. Osland DUMMY, Charles Wright,
john R. Oflley and Charles Ofley were arrested on
the charge of being associates of Hughes in the
robbery. They all committed to Jail for
Court.
GAMBLING ON THE SABBATH.-Y esterday three
named Daniel Dougherty, Michael Patrick,
and Michael Muck, were arrested on the charge of
gambling in the house of Dougherty. Muck and
Patrick were fined 81 and costs each, and Dough-
erty $40 ard costs for permitting gambling in his
house, by Justice Griffin.
IMPORTANT TRIAL.-The trial of Milton Whitney,
Esq, upon one of the indictments found against
him by the Grand Jury, commences this morning
o'viUUh IN the criminal Court, before Judge
Bond. The Hon. Henry May will prosecute, and
the trayerser be defended by Charles H. Pitts and
VIM. Pinkney Whyte, Esqrs.
MAsoNlC.-On last Thursday night Past Deputy
Grand Master, Col John s. Berry, installed
in the Grand Stewards Lodge, the ceremonies be-
ing performed by request of the Lodge, by Past
Grand Master Benz. G. Howard.
ARREST OF A TBIEF.-Yest Detective Cor
man arrested man named Charles Boboth, on the
charge of robbing - Schmitz, of a quantity of
jewelry and $40 in money. The stolen articles
were found on his person. He was committed to
Jail for Court.
EXCITING MEETING IN PHILADELPHIA.
An adjourned meeting of the citizens of Phiade
phia, mostly merchants took place at the Board of
Trade salesrooms on Saturday at
The committee to whom the resolutions at the
had hoe,