Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1874-03-05
LOCAL NEWS.

FlRE.-The alarm of fire about three o'clock
this morning was caused by the burning of the
black of old two,storied framed buildings that
stood on the southwest corner of the intersec-
ton of King and St. Asaph streets. The flames
were first seen in the second story of the house
that stood on the corner proper by private
Waterman. who at once raised the alarm, but
the material of which the building was con-
structed was SO iLhamable that it was entirely
destroyed and the house adjoining it on the
south, and that adjoining it GU the west almost
destroyed and that adjoining the latter on the
west so injured as to be unnhabltable The
block belonged to the heirs of the late Miss
JuIiaua NJ Steed and those of the late Mrs
Sophia E. Lowe, and was insured for 50 600;
the corner house for $500, S400 in the Home
Company of New York and $500 10 the Ma
tional Company Of Baltimore; the one adjou-
ing it on the south for $780, $500 in each of
the above named companies; the one adjoining
it on the west for $500, equally divided 10 the
same companies, and the one adjoining the
latter on the west for 81 900 10 the Continental
Company of New York, for all of which com
panies Mr.. George Wise is the Alexandria
agent.
The corner house was occupied by A. Dreifus
as a second hand furniture store, and by Wash
ingtoD Fisher coored barber, the former be-
ing insured for $500 in the Virginia Company
of Richmond, and the latter for 81 900 10 the
Maryland Company OF Baltimore, OF which
companies Jauney & 20. are the agents TOR
this city. The house next to the corner, 90
King street, was occupied by Henry Herbner
~ lager beer saloon, who was Insured tor ST.
COO, 81 900 in the Lynchburg Insurance and
Banking Company, Of which Geo. Wise is the
agent and 5000 10 the Farmvilie Company, OF
which K. k.mper is the agent. The house
adjoining the latter on the west was occupied
by f. E Padgett, who kept a paper hanger 5
store, and who was Insured for 5000 10 the
Union Company OF Baltimore, Of which Jan
ney & Co. are the agents. The house adjpn.
ing the corner house on the south Was dwell
ing occupied by Robert w. Davis, who was un-
insured, aud whose loss is estimated at $3.50
Though the flames spread rapidly most of
the furniture and stock of all the houses, ex.
cept the store occupied by Mr.. Drcifus, was
saved. though in damaged condition.
The alarm was general, and the site Of the
fire being 10 the centre Of the city, uotwith-
standing the hour, large crowd was present.
The fire department was out with Its usual
alaclity-thc Columbia steamer having the
plug at the corner of King aud Washington
streets, and the Hydraulion that at the post
Office corner, and the Relief Hook and Ladder
Company wherever most needed-and by the
skill, efficiency, and united exertions OF It's
members the flames were cootned to the tiuder
box in which they originated
The heat for time was intense, and lest the
cars Of the A. & W. r. r at the ST. Asaph-
street, should take fire, a locomotive was
brought hurTiedly from the Hcnry-street depot
and they were carried out of harm S way.
The fire is said to have been beyond all
doubt the work Of an incendiary, but as yet
suspicion attaches to no Que.
Before the flames hal been entirely extin-
guishcd the root of the house at the intersec.
ton of Pitt aud Prince Streets formerly occu-
pied by the late L. B. Taylor, esq, caught fire
FROM fl ing cinder, but the flames were put
out before much damage had been occasloned.
LADIES UNION RELIEF SOCIETY. ac-
tive work OF this truly benevolent society COM
menced on the 10th of December last, since
which time there have been assisted one hun
drcd aud zine families, the expense averaging
little over Sc day.
The distribution of articles for the month of
March were as follows Tea, l34 lbs; meal,
Is! bushels sugar l49 lbs; rice, 9 lbs; bacon,
lSS; molas>es, |! gallous; potatoes, Is bushels;
coffee, II lbs; nose, % pairs; shoes, 10 pairs;
dresses, IL; flannel skirts, Is; chemlses, ~;
drawers II pas 6aunel Jackets, 3; pants, )
pairs; night gowns, I; cloaks, ); hauuel shirts.
9 beans, quarts; comforts. 4; grlts, lbs;
fur 81; wood,24 cords; Goa, / TONS behring's,
= d,z; boots, pair; paddles, ? pairs; vests, 4;
homiDy, II quarts; eggs, doz.; bodies, ,;
crackers, lbs.
There was 10 the treasury at the beginning
OF February $24.5l. During the month the
receipts of the society in money from all SQUIRE
es amounted to $259.79. making total OF
$2S4 80 Bills were paid by the Treasurer dur
ing the month of February amounting to
$2l0 50, barring a balance in the treasury up to
date of $,3.4l.
Hon. S. S. Cox-.As will be seen by the
report of the meeting Of the Directors of the
Alexandria Library Company, held last even
lug, the Hon. 5. s. OK, member OF Congress
from the city Of New, York, has consented to
deliver his justly popular lecture entitled
brary Company, on Wednesday evening uext, 1T
Sarepta Hall. Mr.. Cox has achieved great dis
tuctlon as lecturer. and wherever he has lee
tured has been greeted with large audiences.
As humorist he is not surpassed by any one,
as his recent remarkable speech upon moths
will show. 1t is gratifying to know that a large
number of tickets have already been taken aud
from present indications Mr.. Cox will have a
crowded house.
DlREcroRs' MEETING The regular monthly
meeting of the Board of Directors Of the Alex
andria Library Company was held last evening.
Present: S. G. Neae, President, aud Messrs.
Addison Blackburn, Hooe, Slaughter, Shinn,
Stablcr and Zimmerman. The committee APP
pointed for that purpose reported that they
had waited upon the Hon. S. S. Cox, and that