Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1869-05-15
VIRGINIA NEWS.

| Alr. Alexander Aelcy, OF Harper ferry,
came to his death by suffocation on Monday
night last. He slept in his store that night,
and, it is supposed, went to bed smoking his
pipe, by which means his bed was fired The
bed was destroyed and the floor partly burned.
| He was found dead about five o clock on Tues.
day morning. A cat and dog were in the
store-the former also dead and the dog
| nearly
The farm of the late r. NJ. Sydnor, on the
Cedar Greek Grade l2 miles west of Winches.
ter, containing $50 acres Of limestone land, was
sold on Saturday last bv Messrs. JAS II. Will
liams and f. w. NJ. Holiday, Special Com
missioners. Mr.. Edwin S. Brent became the
| purchaser at S29.11i per acre, considered bar
| gain.
As an evidence of the advantage OF the pro-
posed extension Of the A., L. 4 II. Il. r.
through Clarke county, the Courier mentions
on the best authority that Mr.. Leonard Jones
has refused bona fide offer OF $50 per acre
Tor his farm near Berryville, on the Berryvlle
and WILDWOOD turnpike.
The grand Jury of the u. S. Court, in Rich
| mond, has indicted John Blair Warrington for
perjury, he having, as alleged, voted Tor the
Ordinance OF Secession and Mr.. Davis, and
| afterwards taking the test oath. Mr.. airing
ton is the .jauitor Of the Custom House.
A STRANGE CASE The Richmond cores
rondent OF the Lynchburg Republican gives
the following account OF strange case in Rich
mond:
"a certain Ladies Seminary in this city has
been discovered during the past two or three
lac bn loss thau
And what was most remarkablethe incehdiary
always kindled the flames inside. Once it
was discovered bursting out OF bed, in a cham
Der seldom used, and was cxtinguished before
doing much damage; then it was kindled in a
chamber on the fourth floor and before it could
be extnguished, damage to the amount of
81, 600 was done, and the school compelled to
suffer great Inconvenience Tor month; again
a chamber maid discovered the library to be
burning one night, and for the third time, as
good fortune would have it, the building was
saved-the fourth time fire was seen issuing
from the staircase, leading from the hall up
into the floors occupied by the young ladies as
sleeping apartments. This too was extingu-
ished without serious damage. Thus four
times did the incendiary light the torch, and as
often. did providential causes prevent the
threatened destruction Of life and property
Soon these strange occurrences became town
talk; the school was almost broken up, as par
ents knew not what was threatening their chill
dren;thc Principal became nearly crazed he saw
ruin staring him in the face and an unseen and
unknown enemy persistentIy working out his
destruction. Inquiry seemed at fault. and the
sharpest cunning Of our shrewdest detectives
failed to work out the mystery that hung over
the tated house. At last, accident betrayed the
guilty party-and young lady of the school
beautiful, rich aud accomplished, trembling,
stood before her tutor and confessed herself the
criminal. What induced her to play this
strangely tragic role none can tell but in pity
to her. and mercy to her relatives, she was al
lowed quietly to depart to her home, in a dis
tant part Of the State, and the strange mystery
has been for weeks fruitful theme for the I'M
firing gossips tongues.
WASHINGTON IrEMS.-M RoeSse, of Albany,
mas rented the Arlington hotel, now in process
of construction by Mr.. Corcoran, it is said, at
$40 600 year He formerly kept the Delavan
House, in that city. Mr.. w. w. Corcoran has
bought Alr. Sumner house, corner of II. street
and Vermont avenue, for $4,000 Mr. Sum
ner paid $50. 600 for this property less than wo
years ago. Mr.. Corcoran has also purchased |
Mr.. Reverdy johnson house for $45, 900, and !
offers $4,000 for Mr.. Il. NJ. p Kings pro-
perty, on the corner OF L street and Nermont |
avenue.
Col. Charles f. Capehart and Alexander |
Duncan were both applicants for the Office of
Superintendent Of the Interior Department |
building. Mr.. Duncan was successful, but after |
holding his office for short time was removed, |
whereupon he charged Col. Capehart with |
being instrumental in causing his removal.
esterday afternoon these gentlemen met on
the avenue, when Mr.. Duncan charged Colonel
Capehars with getting him removed. High
words ensued, wheu the Colonel struck Mr..
Duncan over the head with large cane which
he carried, breaking it in several pieces and
lnJuring MIR. Duncan severely.
Nh, Clapp, the Superintendent Of the Con-
greSsional Printing Office, it is said has written
to the Columbia Typographical Society advis-
ing them to rescend some of their rules for
their own good, and also stating whether this
Is done or not he Will actindependently Of them,
and as he may think proper.