The New York herald., 1876-12-12
THE BURLINGTON FIRE.

TWO NEGROES IN CUSTODY FOR INCESDIAR-
IsM-A CITY WITHOUT WATER AND WITHOUT
LAMPILGHr AT NIGHT DETAILS OF TIE
LOSSES AND INSURANCE.
BURLINGTON ". J.. Dec IL, 1875
The destruction caused by tho great connagra;ion In
this city yesterday plunged about poor
families into sorrow and want The hard earnings for
years back OF many sk,niul mechanic
and brawny laborer have becn swept away
All this was the work OF an inoarna.o
hend, commonly called "hre bug' or incendiary.
Two negroes, known 10 the inhabitants desperate
characters for time back named "JacK Hitchins
and Bil' Hugg, have been arrested the charge Of
having net nre 10 tho livery stable from which the
namcs spread. resulting IN the condagration They
safely lodged in Jail pending their examination
before Mayor Mcdowell Many people say that these
men are the guilty parties.
On the morning OF tho nrc Hugg received q severe
matrcating At the hands or of iniuriatcd
suspicion OF being tho ncendiary and hts tace
bears evidence Of tho hard knocks he received.
But Tor the interference OF peaceaby disposed
he would undoubtedly have suffered the rgor OF lynch
law. Another negro named Jim" Henry found
In the act oi cutting The hemens hose, when he, TOO,
was subjected TO a castigation
THIS city is, Perhaps tho Oldest In the State, and
It Is said that II is even Older than Philadelphia
Ancient though be- II seems II has not kept pace with
the progress oil inc because ~ only contains
population OF about 1000, and It's peace IS preserved
by three solitary policemen. There are no night
watchmen, and there are no lamps lett burning during
tho night NO wonder, tnen, that compain Is general
that the city, or the past tow months Is infested oy
organized gangs of burglars ncendiaries and other
vagabonds A week ago q fire occurred on Broad
street. which destroyed The carpenter shop OF n Mr.
Mcconnell IL broke out at midnight. A lady, named
Mss Sac Deacon, on seeing u became so terrified that
she dropped dead. Numerous other fires have been
ported, stiil Efforts mado discover the
wretches who kindled them Another source OF CON-
plant is the scarcity OF water Had there been moro
abundant supply OF water hand yesterday morning
therc would have been considerably less property de-
siroyed: Some time ago progressive citizens wanted
TO build new water works commensurate with the
wants OF the Inhabitants but the project opposed
and defeated by pseudo economists who had political
Offices In view, and therefore they did NOT desire 10
burden the people by Increased taxation. Now
when Il Is almost too late these people have
The recent confagraton was the largest that
took place in the city Bot for the efficient aid
dered by tho 1romen some or whom we're from Cam
den, and the noble exertons OF the inhabitants tho
greater portion Of the town would have been laid
waste.
Tho course OF tho nre rather singular 1t started
In the livery stable near the depot, then jumped cast
ward across Main street, where two story brick
building succumocd to its fury It then passed
row OF buildings up 10 ihe end OF Ii
brary street, which runs at right angles with
Nam street. and destroyed another story
brick house. It next gave u marvellous jump OF two
and ignitcd tnc houses York street. Here It did
not abase until twenty four stores and dwellings were
In length The roots Of over twenty other houses wero
set on nrc but saved from destruction by tho rest.
dents Tho high wind carried the sparks this distance,
and even further. for the farm houses OF Mr.. Stacy
| Scott, two miles distant, were affected thereby.
1t was Mrs r Harvey, aged eighty-ono, instead OF
| Mrs. Harrison, who died from fright Hcr funeral
will take place tomorrow from the Baptist church.
| This was the only fatal casualty.
Joseph Regan and Melville Gardiner slightly In
Jured by falling down from roofs John Mitchell was
severely frozen while holding branch pipe.
The Common Council has appropriated 5000 for tho
relief oil the sufferers and citizens OF Philadelphia
have profered more assistance Tho citizens Bur.
lington, headed ny Mayor Mcdowell, State Senator
kdgaway, Dr. J. 5. Adams and Mr.. X. B. Carter are
doing their utmost rendering substantial aid. DR..
amount OF So 600 are to bo issued possible
The debris to-day presented a pitiablo sight. Hero
and there might be seen many OF tue poor sufferers
picking out cups dishes. &c. from the runs where
stood their once happy homes The charred and
blackcncd remains Of tho horses which perished
in the re 10 DO seen among the debris, each
hardly ognizablo as that OF animal
The total loss does not exceed SEQ 900. As was
stated in the HERALD, about forty families are home
less.
II seems that thieves at tho nro prosecuting
their vllanous vocation. one was detected having
In his possession a ch.d's savings bank containing
about 81 IN currency
HIrcHIys EXAMINED
Dowe to-day, and was committed for further hearing