The Portland daily press., 1864-11-28
BY TELEGRAPH
EVENING PAPERS.


Plot to Burn Nesg York-Fires set In the Ho-
teis-Arres or q Southern W0nGn as the
Supposed IAceadt1rv. y fNEE
NEW York, Nov. 70.
The st. James, Lovejoy's d Belmont ho-
tells were also on fire last night, but suffered
no real damage. FFf.n4MF
The fires last night were made with phos-
phorus, and it is thought for the purpose OF
robbery. In Barnum's Museum the panic
struck audience was robbed most thoroughly
in the great smoke and confusion that ensued.
In the hotels the robbers did not succeed so
we'll A Dhalstaf
A woman hailing from Baltimore was ar
rested at the Metropolitan Hotel under cir
cumstances that involve her in serious suspi-
cion. She strongly protests innocence. Sew
eral other arrests were also made It appears
that the woman arrested on suspicion OF being
concerned In the incendiary fires last night,
arrived in this city but few days since from
Baltimore, and took room Al the st. Nicho-
las Hotel. Last night just before the Ore
broke out there she went 70 the Lafarge House,
stayed short time and left just before ihe are
broke out there. She then went 60 the Me.
tropolitan and engaged room, the FIRE break
ing out there very soou aftersard. Although
closely questioned she refused TO Disclose the
nature OF her business here. Certain papers
found In her room pointed so strongly % a
man stopping at the Lafarge Horse, VINO was
recently discharged IRON Fort LAFAYETTE on
the ground that he was a British subject, as
an accomnjee that he was also arrested. he
was very nervous and excited when taken, aud
dsclaimed any connection with the affair.
The manner in which the fires were pro-
duced showed q prec0ncerted plot. In the
hotels the beds, clothes, trunks, &c, were
covered with phosphorus. Matches were al
so 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
plumber when the fire was under way. But
the timely appearance Of the police prevented
this portion OF the programme from being car
ried cut.
The panic at the Museum was intense, but
fortunately the fire was quickly subdued.-
The bottle containing the phosphorus was
found, and is like those used by incendiaries
elsewhere.
At the Winter Garden terrible panic was
created by some one simply crying fire.
The entire fire department was aroused, and
together with the police measures were adopt
ed for the safety Of life and property for the
remainder Oh the night.
The attempt, which was really well planned
has failed. 1t has shown what might be done
here and elsewhere, and will inspire increased
vigilance throughout the North.
.Later.-Further attempts to burn the Aston
House, Howard Hotel, and some other small.
er hotels were frustrated this morning. An
examination of the Aston House took place
this morning, to learn If any attempt had been
made to fire that building, when on opening
room No. 204, an immense volume of smoke
poured out into the hall. The fire had beer
smouldering during the night. The floor was
burned to cinder. The bedding was satu
rated with turpentine, the chairs placed or
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 six hundred dollars. A person in a
lieutenant's uniform, named Alison, who occu
pied one of the rooms fired, was arrested this
morning.
Arrangements have been made to-day fol
protection against repetition OF the incendi
arism. Gen. Dix's order requiring Southern
ers to register their names, which has proved
almost dead letter, will be strictly enforced