The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1870-07-11
Wanted-A Vigilance Committee.

N1uIUl8 W VIUStAuk SA4S d14tV - sNA8 SaA4~@'
TemE-Gteou cents PEI week.
Wanted-A Vigilance Committee.
Itseerns there are some desperate VI
lains in the city who, from some motive,
are determined TO burn it up. Saturday
night, at eleven o'clock, in broad moon
light, directly on frequented street, with
people passing shout, fire was kindled
in lumber shed beside COgH's carpenter
shop, corner Of Centre and Fourth streets
Fortunately it was discovered and extin-
guished before it had gained headway,
and thus was prevented a oonaagration
that must have swept half or three-quRr-
ters Of that square. Just before the alarm
was given man was secn emerging from
the alley upon Fifth street; who, seeing
himself discovered, ran of down street
and disappeared. Yesterday an inspec-
ton Of the premises showed that an at
tempt had been made first 70, ktndle a-fire
under BRoDlE's carpenter shop immedi-
ately adjoining. The fact that there had
been no fire about the premises, the loca-
ton Of the fire, the ends Of partly burned
matches on the ground, the conduct of the
skulking villain who came out OF the
alley Just after the fire was kindled, all
show beyond the slightest doubt that this
fire was the work Of an incendiary.
Two hours after this, a fire was discoy.
cred three or four squares further east, in
stable where fire was clearly imposst.
BILE except by the hand Of an incendiary.
This fire, as the report in our local col
umns shows, had made such progress that
number Of buildings were destroyed
and much valuable property endangered.
A short time before this fire was discoy-
cred a couple Of men were heard in the
alley near the stable talking in low tones.
The presumption Is very strong that they
were the incendiaries.
A few minutes before the fire was dis
covered In the rear Of BulgePs cigar store
on Market street last Tuesday morning,
two men,were heard to run up headjoin-
ing alley to Fourth and down that street
One Of them was seen running with his hat
in his hand. Nobody doubts they were
the villains who set that fire, and they are
probably the same who set the fires Satur7
day night and yesterday morning. The
general BELIEF that Collins brass foundry
was set by an incendiary has become con-
viction in the light Of these subsequent
events. au .a+
II anything could be wanting to dispel
every doubt that there is a Fire Bug
in our midst, it need only be added that
Just after dark last night, before nine
o'clock, fire was discovered in the rear
of G. Il. BERRY's cordage store on Water
street-a building filled with combusti.
bic and inflalnmAblC materials, just in the
rear Of the Main street wholesale houses.
The fire had been thrown in alta grated
window through a broken pane, into an
old pitch barrel filed with straw and
rubbish. By the most fortunate accident
1t was discovered in time to extinguish
it with few buckets Of water, and an
extensive and disastrous conlagrntion
averte,l. That this, too, was the work Of
some devil In human form cannot be
doubted.
It's evident thatsOme atroctOus villains,
whether they belong here or have come
from abroad, and whether the motive be
robbery, revenge, or pure wanton devil
Try, are tho authors Of these fires, and may
be Of others between the hours when this
Is written md when 1t will meet the eye
of our readers. Some prompt and cner'
getic measures Of protection arc necessary
The first thing Is to catch the villains
Their punishment will follow in due
cOuEse. Tho police force, with all posi-
Bile diligence, is not equal to the occasion
We donOt undertake to suggest Just what
but some measures should be taken, and
taken to.day. ''s "
Since the foregoing was put in type
an unsuccessful attempt has been made tC
burn the saw.mill of HUBBARD & Bro
What may happen between this (mid
night and morning, it is impossible, al
this rate, to anticipate 5
Energetic steps should be taken Thu
morning to unearth these villains, or a
least to protect tho city against them TO
night.