The New York herald., 1873-10-09
RURAL INCENDIARISTI.
A CcnAagration at Mount vernon-A Portion Of
the Village in Ruins-The Incendi-
ary's Work at West Farms
Fire in Morrisania.

Prompted by dabOlical motive, which at
present remains unexplained, some wretch delib-
eratey applied the torch to an unoccupied build
ing at Mount Vernon, WesJchester county, at an
early hour yesterday morning, which resulted in
the destruction Of property to the extent OF about
500 900 and the rendering OF many women and
children homeless. The fire was first discovered
at quarter to one O'Clock IN vacant frame
building on the corner OF Fourth avenue and First
street, and, aided by violent gale blowing from
the northeast, the 1ames spread with startling
rapidity, seeming to mock the puny efforts
OF the local Fire Department, consisting OF hand
engine and hook and ladder company. An almost
total lack OF water in the terrible emergency
should prove suggestive circumstance TO the
present ana iuture village authorities Seeing that
the block bounded by Fourth and Fifth avenues
and First anu Second streets was doomed, the
storekeepers and families occupying the same lost
no time IN dragging their goods and household
effects 10 places o safety, thus in most instances,
resculng their entire personal property rom the
apparently nsatiate hre demon. Meantime the
lurld flames leaped from house to house, consuming
everything in It's fearful progress and
SPREADING lNEXPRESSIBLE TERROR
among the Inhabitants. In their extremity the
authorities had telegraphed to New York, New
assistance, knowing that they were completely at
the mercy OF the Fire King. The appeal was
promptly responded by the Huguenot Engine Com
Company and Enterprise Hook and Ladder COM
pany, Of New Rochelle, which arrived shortly after
seven O'Clock and lent their best efforts to subdue
the connagi alton. II was not, however, until
engine No. 81, in charge of Chief Rhodes. OF the
Ninth battalion New YORK Fire Department, came
tearing down Fourth avenue, with foaming cour-
sers ana dying sparks, ready to give battle to the
devouring element, that
THE APPRECIATED PEOPLE TOOK COURAGE,
and sent up cheer after cneer lor the brave men
who had travelled iast ana firlously from the
metropolis 10 rescue the village from destruction.
BY ripping up some panklng between the tracks OF
the New haven Railroad which enabled tnem to
New York hremen succeeded in obtaining mod
crate supply OF water, whcn, IT Is almost needless
to state, was directed TO where lit would do the
most good.n THIS, together with the raz-
ing OF building or two, resulted
short space OF time But for this timely assistance
1t would be difficult 70 tell 10 what extent the
flames might have spread over the village. As II Is.
however, the block already mentioned is almost
completely laid waste. some twenty-five or thirty
houses being destroyed. me people are intensely
excited over the vandalism which has caused such
destruction OF property in their midst, and intend
leaving no reasonable means untried 10 discover
the incendlary. A meeting Of the village srustees
was held yesterday afternoon, at which 1t was
decided to offer
REWARD or ONE THOUSAND DOLLARS
for the arrest and conviction OF the guilty party or
parties II Is said tnat shortly before the ire was
first discovered Two persons one OF them dressed
in lemaie habiiments. were seen running away
IRON the unoccupied building in when the names
originated. \ young man named Daniel Soaring,
who was caught under suspicious circumstances in
a house near the scene OF the connaEration, was
dITtsttl, anu reIlallls III tNtltlHg al eA-
animation. II Is believed, however, that he IS not
the guilty party.
Among the principal sufferers are John Berry,
dry goods; Kern " Bonn, cigars: Ustrander N
Woodruff, lawyers: Bernstein, c0thier; Jackson
Hart, drugs Bachelor carriage maker; Logan,
boots ana shoes u. +. Wallace, hotel keeper, and
Becker, lager beer saloon.
Shortly after three O'Clock yesterday morning a
fire broke out III large frame building, occupied
by brush manufacturing companY, and %
Gated on Washington avenue, near Eighth
street, Morrlsania, which completely destroyed
the building and contents. The flames communi-
Gated with handsome residence adjoining the
factory, occupied by gentleman named Wagner
aud owned by the Parker estate, which was also
consumed. The latter was insured for 1000.
The factory was not insured, except the stock,
which ls valued at $4,000.
Duling the early hours OF the morning an unoc-
cuped frame building on Washington street., IN the
town ol West Farms, was fired and totally de-
gtroyed: loss. 50, 900.