Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1884-07-24
THROUGH THE STATE.
mo RI8s IN PETERSBURG.
Two Larrc PeanutF Factories aud several
other Buiidlnrs DurDcd-Aress Of The
spuxo.~a s,..nd,aries

rTftl = lf(-IQU~ff. Hbt tti HJtif tHtu D-t~t W.
cupied az peanutmill by Mr.. Il. Chester
Marks. The lire destroyed that building
with ~ IT, stock anc machinery. then com
inundated TO the large peanut-tnilI occu.
pied bv George Davis & Co., fronting on
nollingbrook street. burning the building,
stock, and machinery; also. seriously dam
aged the building occupied by Waiter s.
Philips, adjoining on BolIingbrook street.
and bnrned several smaller buildings on
the Lombard-street front.
ORIGIN or THE FIRE.
The FIRE was the work OF an iacendiary
hesoDd al doubt. Evidences OF this fac.
ore beyond question. ~'....,
Last evening about O'Clock, just before
closiug the establishment, Sir. j. c. Syme,
the manager for Mr.. Marks, discovered that
one OF the rcsr windows OF the building
was raised, aud on inqlllring he learned
thas II had lIeen raised by James A. Jack
son, colored empioye, who ACKNOWLEDGED
that he had raised If for purpose. Later
I. was discovered that quantity of cotton
waste and other material. saturated With
: kcs sEe sli. Sad been spreaa Hpon The
i,cof inside OF the window. This faci give
rise 20 the suspicion that the house was to
he set on fire last night. Accordingly Mr.
symc communicated this Intelligence, with
his suspicious, TO the Chief of Police, and
nskfd chat q watch hcstt for the protection
Of the property aud the capture OF the in
cendiary II possible.
About $40 O'Clock an officer was con-
ceaicd in the building, near the spot, and
later Sergeant Berry took position in the
house to keep up the watch. The heat was
so great in the baildine that it became
necessary to change the officers during the
night, but all night an officer was kept IN
the building. The extra precaution was
also taken TO piece an officer at the rear
window Of George DaYis's min, few feet
distant. TO aid In the watch. and an officer
each in the vicinity on Lombard and
Bollingbrook streets.
These officers were all kept on duty until
after 1850 O'Clock this morning. At 4:30
O'clock the last one left Marks's building.
and five minutes later The house was fired
at the wiRdow in question. The flames
spread rapidly. with the result above
stated, though the department fought the
flames with all their power.
ARREST or THE SUPPOSED INCEEDIARTEs.
All tie circumstances in the case seemed
to point 10 James A. Jackson as tle incen-
diary. and Il must he stated that the CIR
tnllNiNilitdl llObi A-diA1A 4iihA idr WIZ Ne
Il Is said that he fingered longer than usual
last evening in the building; that he ac-
knowledQed having raised the window;
that he was seen on the street in the neigh
norhood early this morning; that he yes
terday purchased gallon Of kerosene oil
without authority from Mr.. Marbs. &C., sc.
Suspicion alsD fell upon Mack Gillian
(colored). The two men were arrested.
jackson was found with his clothes on.
and q very strong smell Of kerosene about
them. 1t is said that Gillian acknowledged
that he saw Jackson place the in1immahle
materials at the window. and It is probable
that he will be used rs a witness in the Gaze,
TLa two men were brought into the
Mayors Court and were committed mill
Friday for examination. In the mean time
all the evidence that can be obtained against
thom will be hunted up.
THE PROPERTY DESTROYED.
The two large buildings burned belong TO
,he estate Of the late Henry Davis, repre-
scnted by George II. Davis, Esq. That oc-
cupied by Mr.. Marks frOnted on Lombard
street., and was formerly known as jack
sons ice-house. Itwasa three-story house
abOt 100 feet long by 80 wide, with double
walls.
That occupied by George Davis d Co.
lroniCd on Bollingbfook street, and ran
back depth OF 100 feet to MarLs's mil.
IT wa q substantial three-story brIcl. build
ing.
The fne brick building on Bollingbrook
street occupied by W. s. Phillips was for
ncrly owned by Captain w. III. Proctor.
It was considerably damaged in the rear
by FIRE and water. Tie brick stable In the
rear Of this house aud framed tenement
on Lombard street, belonging to Messrs.
GarIick & Phillips. were destroyed. In the
stable were about 1000 bags and q large
quantity Of peanut-hulls
Adjoining on Lombard street was Gn old
frame tenement belonging 10 Mrs. Dolan,
Of Prince George county. This was occu-
pied by John ". Jones and Charles Aven
(colored).
TIE INSURANCE.
The following il fall list OF insurance
on the buildings, stock, and machinery:
On the two brick buildings occupied by
Mr.. Marks and MessrS. Davis e. Co., and
owned by the estate OF the late Henry Da-
Wis, $1,000: OF which $4,000 was in the
Virginia Mutual, and $4,000 in the Com
meTcial Union, Of Loudon-the latter on
the Lombard-street property.
Mr.. Marks holds the following policies
On Stock Phoenix, OF London, $4,000;
Petersburg Savings. g. 1000; Georgia Home,
$4,000; Fire Association OF Philadelphia.
$5,OO0-total, $4,000.
On Macbinery-Fi Association Of Phil
aGelphii, $500.
Mr.. Marks loses $500 on his machinery,
and from $4,000 to $1,000 on his stock OF
peanuts, above his insurance. His books
were burned. He had on hand large
quantity of peanuts belonging TO various
parties.
Messrs. George Davis & Co. have poll
cies as follows:
On Maehinery-Si00 in the Phoenix, OF
London; $1,000 in Petersburg Savings.
On StOck-S2,000 in Georgia Home;
$1,000 in Petersburg savings; $1,000 in
Northern Assurance, OF London 81 600 in
New York Underwriters Agency.
Mr.. Walter S. Phillips had policies as
follows:
On BuiIdlng-S1. 600 in Fire Associa-
tion OF Philadelphia $1,000 IN CONNER
cial Union; $500 in the Virginia Mutual.
On Stoek--SS00 In Fire Association OF
Philadelphia held by NJ. Levy; $500 In the
Commercial Union, held by Ramey Il New
comb. There will be very slight loss here,
as hestock was very little damaged.
On Machinery Petersburg Savings, s700,
and on the engine and boiler $500; Pho
nix. Of London, $1,000; Fire Association
Of Philadelphia, $500.
Total insurance on buildings. stocks, and
machinery, s37,4OO. The loss by the fire Is
nearly $4,000.
THE PLANTERS AND MECHANICS BANK.
The grand jury Of the Hastings Court
still remains in session. For some days
the Jury have been busily engaged in in
yestigating the slFairs Of the Planters and
Mechanics Bank, and it is generally con-
ceded that they have settled down TO
earnest business, and that II criminal re-
sponsibility attaches to any one they intend
to find it out. They have had all the
employees Of the back before them. and
have examined number OF witnesses.
Others are yet to be examined. Ii viii
probably be several days before the jury
will be ready TO make any report. Their
action Is awaited with the most intense
interest.
Large crowds Of our people went down
10 City Point to-day to witness the regattn.
Therewere also many visitors from Norfolk
and Richmond.
Ia the regatta at City Point this evening
the Gymnasium Crew. OF Norfolk, won
the prize. Norfolk also carried OH the
hODors In the sinple-scull race,