Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1865-05-06
The FhiladeIphin Scare-The Al
legged plot 10 Burn the City.

Notwithstanding the extensive precau-
tionary measures that were taken last Sum
day to prevent the burning of Philadelphia,
| only two suspicious circumstances were
brought to light.
We copy from The Philadelphia Inquirer:
One of the officers on duty at Ninth and
Chestnut streets had his attention attract
ed about half-past nine o'clock on Sunday
evening to the movements of an individ-
ual who appeared to be watching the up
per windows of the Continental Hotel with
some interest. The party in question
moved backwards and forwards ON Ninth
street. and after glancing up at several
of the windows of the hotel, moved oil up
Ninth street at brisk pace. lie was loi-
| lowed and seen to turn into Market street,
and was taken into custody at the corner of
| Tenth and Market.
He appeared somewhat confused, and
made two or three conflicting statements,
first stating that he belonged to Maryland,
but it afterwards appeared he was resi-
dent of this State. On being asked II he
knew where the Continental Hotel was, he
said YES, but stated he had not been near
there since the middle of the afternoon. lie
was taken to the Central Station and sub
jected to a rigid examination, but it appear
ing that he could not have had any compile
ity with the supposed plot, he was dis
charged from custody.
Yesterday morning the sentries on duty
around the knapsack department. OF the
United States Arsenal on Gray's Ferry
road, noticed a suspicious looking charac-
ter prowling around that portion OF the es-
tablishment. He was hailed by two of the
sentinels, but declined to give any answer
He was again hailed, and movement made
toward him, when he started of on rum
| Two shots were then fired at him, which,
owing to the darkness of the night, failed
to take effect. This alarmed others on duty
at the Arsenal, and pursuit was at once
made. He was just seen to enter brick
ward in the immediate neighborhood, and
two shots were fired at the party in pursuit
from the direction he had taken. These
shots are thought to have come from re-
volver in the hands of the fugitive, which
were fired for the purpose of intlmidating
pursuit. Being favored by the darkness,
the fellow made good his escape.
Whether his object in being in the vicin-
ity of the Arsenal was to attempt to burn
| that building, or whether he had some bur-
glarious designs on surrounding dwellings,
| is of course not known. ay
With the above exceptions, nothing of
moment transpired; and while great doubt
exists as to whether there is any organized
plot to burn buildings in this city, still the
authorities are fully prepared for any con-
tingency that may occur, and our citizens
can nightly enjoy their slumbers, without
fear of being driven from their homes by
any other than such accidental fires as
sometimes occur.
As some fears were expressed that the
supposed plotters might attempt to cut off
the water from the city, it may be as well to
mention that such an attempt could only
be attended with one result, and that is the
immediate arrest of any one who might
feel inclined to indulge in that species of
amusement.