Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1869-05-29

4 RIVER ON FIRE.-The great fire at the
Devoe Works continued to burn all through
Tuesday night, the oil tanks continungto blaze
with unabated fury, some 10000 gallons of oil
being consumed One incident connected with
the burning Of the oil in these tanks is well
worthy of note. 1t appears that at the lower
end of the dock, fronting the East river, atank
containing several thousand gallons OF benzne
vas euveloped in fame all night, yet, strange
to say, 4 tank filled with kerosene oil, which
Immediately adjolned it, remained untouched.
At about o clock yesterday the brig Ad-
vance, which had been burning all night, cap
sized preciptating hundreds OF gallons of
burning oil into Newtown Creek. The flames
spread rapidly over the surface of the water.
The tide was flowing strongly into the creek
from the East river at the time, and the seeth-
ing mass of Burning oil spread rapidly up the
creek and IN the direction Ot the new Hunters
Point bridge The scene at this point was
terribly grand. The entire creek from shore
10 shore, aud from the point OF Its influx into
the Fast river nearly mp to the bridge, was
one living, urid sheet of fame, which would,
at intervals shoot up 10 an amazing height,
the whole covered with dense masses OF
black smoke The banks were lined by
thousands OF excited spectators, all dreading
the caamtous results of this most extraordl-
nary disaster, but all powerless to check the
progress O! the devouring element. The hre.
men were in despair; their apparatus were all
constructed to draw from hydrantS, and there
being no plugs in the vicinity, the ony avail
able water was that Of the creek, which had
now been rendered inaccessible. The greatest
danger apprehenaed was that the flames, which
we're rapidly approaching the new bridge,
would be communicated to that structure, IN
which case it woulp, in all probability, have
been totally destroyed. An individual staud-
ing upon the bridge watching the flames almost
at his feet, picked up large stone aud hurled
it into the stream Instantly II was noticed
tbat the sea of fire was broken by the splash
inc Of water caused by the falling stone, and as
rbe circle of waves gradually increased in size
the flames receded, until clear space OF two
or.three yards in diameter had been made.
The idea thus suggested was rapidly acted upon;
the crowds of,bystanders rushed to brick yard
and returned loaded with bricks. which they
commenced hurting into the stream, Lines
were speedily formed tor rapidly passing the
missiles from the brick yard to those on the
docks; the men worked with will, and in an
incredibly short time upward of two thousand
bricks had been hurled into the stream. The
violent agitation Of the water thus caused had
the effect OF checking the progress OF the flames,
and with the very material aid rendered by the
tugboat Fuller, the confaeratioD was soon
entirely stayed. d.-Nelc York Tribune. 2Ih.
'GEN. r. +. LEE IN New YORK.-Yes-
terday afternoon, as Judge Francis, the genial
editor of the Troy Times, was saunterlng down
Broadway, he was suddenly accosted by
sharp.ft atured high cheek bonod, black haired
gentleman in spring suit OF clothes, VINO
grssped him warmly by the hand, and said
General, do assure YOU, sir, before
God that this is one OF the happlest mo-
meuts OF my liie NY heart is filed with graf
.tude to Cod that | am permitted to thus
grasp you b. the hand. God bless you, sir,
God bless you a thousand times
Judge Francis was slightly staggered ut this
warm. hearted Sanitation; but before he could
express his thanks, the fiery eyed Southerner
continued
''Iou cannot conceive, sir, the warmth OF
nv feelings toward you. do assure you that,
were we not an the city OF New York, and
if dared do it, would tear the hat from
INV head and give three rousing cheers for old
General Lee the grand old unce Robert oil
the army of the army of Virginia, Yes, Gen,
eral; yes, sir, would-beiore God, | would!
So saving, the enthusiastic Coniedersfs
gouud MS arms ABOUT ouuSo iiah1,'' Su'
kissed him twice on the right cheek. lie then
warmly pressed the judges hand, and swept
up Broadway with tears in his eyes.
kThe Judge stood like one hewildered for some
moments; then turning TO I friend, he said: =
We'll, declare this beats all. | have ire
quently been mistaken for Edwin NJ. Stanton
bnt never before Tor Gen. =. +. Lee" The
Judge is stopping at the Astor.-N !, Sun.
CURIOUS SOCIETIES IN PARIS-M. Lore
der, French teuiiIctonist, has written pam
phlet on secret societies, which is reported
to have created great sensation, which it vel
might, il his stories are t. DO accepted IS true
some OF them are decidedly lacking in credi
bility. For instance, he says there is an asso
citation called the "Sociey OF the Trous Judas ;
which must be the meanest III existence. 4
Trous Judas is hole bored through doo
for the purpose o! watching people within tn
,oom, aud it ia said that an immense numbe
Of people provide themselves with gimlets 10
this purpose. The Society Trous Judas
wealthy, and has an alliance with loogln
housekeepers. At their meetings those VIII
have Interesting reports read them. Thi
precious union has twice had serious, troub
A. -1l;on ho -e,nh thorp CLOSELY.