The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1864-12-02
Attempt to Burn New York

There was we'll matured plan put i'll
to operation last Friday night 10 bum
New York city; and under other circum-
stances the destruction of life and prop
erty would have been fearful indeed Be
low is the Geographic account:
The fires last night were made with
phosphorus. and it is thought for the pur-
pose of robbery. In Barnum'S Museum
the panic struck audience was robbed most
thoroughly in the great smoke and confu-
sion that enSued. I'm the hotels the rob-
berS did not succeed so well. A woman
mailing from Baltimore was arrested al
the Metropolitan hotel under clreumstan'
ces that involve her in serious suspicion.
She strongly protests innocence Several
other arrests were made
1t appears that the woman arrested on
suspicion of being concerned in the mcen-
diary fires last night arrived in the city
but a few days since from Baltimore. and
took a room at the ST. Nicholas hotel
Last night Just before the fire broke out
there, she went 10 the Latarge house, stay
ed short time and left Just before the
fire broke out there. She then went TO
the Metropolitan and engaged room, the
fire breaking out there very soon after
ward. Although closely questioned she
refused TO give the nature of her business
here. Certain papers found in her room
pointed so strongly to man stopping al
the Latarge house. who was recently dis,
charged from Fort Lafayette on the ground
that he was n British subject, as an ac-
complete, that he was arrested.
The manner in which the fires were
produced showed preconcerted plot
In the hotels the bells. clothes, trunks &c,
were covered with phosphorus. Matches
We're also scattered in the beds. The fires
We're then set and the rooms locked. ~
in the July riots the thieves Swarmed
about the hotel doors ready TO rush in and
plumber when the fire WAS under way
But the timely appearance of the police
prevented this portion of the programme
from being carried out.
The panic AT the Museum was intense.
but fortunately the fire was quickly sub
dued. The bottle containing the phosphO-
rus was found. and is like those used by
imcendiarie> elsewhere. Al the Winter
Garden Il terrible panic was created 10y
some one simply CRYING fire,
The attempt which was really well
planned has failed. 1t has shown what
might I've done here and elsewhere. and
will inspire increased vigilance throughout
the North
An examination of the AStor took place
this morning. To learn if any attempt had
been made TO fire that building, when. on
opening room No. 20i, an immense vol
ulnn OF smoke poured into the hall. The
fire had been >moullcring during the me- int
The floor w;lS burned 10 a cinder. The
bedding was saturated with turpentine
the chairs placed on the bed and bed
clothes thrown over them. The room
had been occupied by one person since the
20ih. and his arrest. ii i believed viii
soon he made The damage viii amount
10 about 5000 A person i'm a heuten-
ants uniform named Alison. who occupied
one of the rooms fired. was arrested this
morning.
Gen Dix has issued the following or
der: A nefariouS attempt WAS made
Gl>t night Ia sci fire TO the principal no.
trl> AMI other places of public resort in
this city Ii this attempt had succeeded
il would have resulted in fIightful Sacri-
lice of property and life, The evidences
of an extensive combination and other
facts disclosed to-day show il To have been
the work OF rebel emiS>Iries and agents.
All such person engaged in secret acts of
hostility here can only be regarded H. spies
subject TO the martial law and 10 the PEN
atty ot death If they are arrested they
Will be immediately brought before a
court martial, or military commission. and
ii convicted they will he executed without
the delay ola single dar''
Gen Dix has issued an order renewing
the notice 10 all persons from in>urgent
states 10 register their names NJ headquar-
tiers. Persons failing to comply will he
treated a> spies.