Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1864-11-28
FIRES IN NEW YORK,

NEW York, Nov. 20.
The places set fire to last night were the
st. Nicholas, st. James, Lafarge, Astor
House, Lovejoy's Hotel, Belmont House,
and Barnum's Museum, none of which
were much damaged, but caused great con-
sternation to the occupants of the hotels,
and the audiences at Winter Garden and
Barnum's.
1t appears that the woman arrested on
suspicion of being concerned in the incen-
disrism last night, arrived in the city but
few days since from Baltimore, and took
a room at the St. Nicholas. Last night,
just before the fire broke out there, she
went to the Lafarge House, staid a 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 sfterWard. Although
closely questioned she refused to disclose
the nature of her business here. Certain
papers found in her room pointed so strong
ly to a man stopping at the Lafarge House,
who was recently discharged from Fort
Lafayette, on the ground that he was @
British subject, that he was also arrested
as an accomplice. He was very nervous
and excited when taken, and diselaimed
any connection with the affair.
The manner in which the fires were pro-
duced showed q preeoncerted plot. In the
hotels the bed clothes, trunks, &C., were
covered with phosphorus. Matches were
also scattered in the beds. The fires were
then set and the rooms locked. As in the
July riots, the thieves swarmed about the
hotel doors ready to rush in and plunder
when the fire was under way, but the time
ly 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 csntaining3.the phosphor-
US was found, and is like those used by
the incendiaries elsewhere.
At Winter Garden a terrible panic was
created by some person simply crying fire.
The entire fire department was aroused,
and, together with the police, measures were
adopted for the safety of life and property
for the remainder of the night. The at
tempt, which was really well planned, has
failed. It has shown what might be done
here and elsewhere, and will inspire in
creased vigilance throughout the North.
This morning an examination of the Astor
House took place TO learn if any attempt
had been made to fire that building, when,
on opening room No. 2O4 an immense vol
ume of sU oke poured out into the hall.
The fire had been smouldering through the
n light, and the floor was burned to a cinder.
The bedding was saturated with turpentine.
the chairs placed on the bed, and the bed
clothes thrown over them. The room had
been occupied by one person since the 10th, ,
and his arrest, it is believed, will soon be
made. The damage will amount to about
$780, A person in a Lieutenant's uniform,
named Allison, who occupied one of the
rooms fired, was arrested this morning.
Arrangements have been made to-day for
protection againsta repetition of the incen-
diarism. General Dix's order requiring
souJherners to register their names, which
has proved almost dead letter, will be
strictly enforced.