Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1884-11-14

FrRE.-The alarm of fire shortly before
midnight las. night, was caused by the
partial burning Of four frame dwelling on
the south side of Wilkes street, between
Royal and Pist. The FIRE, which was un-
nuestionably the work Of an iucendiary,
originated in the house occupied by Captain
of Police JAS f Webster, and before the
flames could ne extnguished, that house,
together with the one on the east, occupied
by Mrs Susan Webster and the two on the
west. occupied by Mrs. S. Dement, and Mrs.
N. E Lawler respectively, were SO badly
damaged as to render them uatenantable.
Owing to the lateness of the hour and the
absence of so many of the hremen from TINS
civ, it was SOME time before water was
thrown on the flames which, together with the
inaamabie material of the buildings, made
The fire most stubborn Que. Capt. WEB
ster had left the house but few moments
before the fire was discovered. The follow
ing is list of the property damaged Two
story frame dwelling owned and occupied
by Mrs. Susan Webster on which there
was an insurance of $500 and S3Oo on the
furniture. Mrs. Mary Vermilion, who was
also an occupant of the house, had 500 in
surancs on her wearing apparel. Two-story
dwelling, owned aud occupied by Captain
Webster, insured for $500; Captain w. had
about 5000 insurance on his furniture.
Three-story framed dwelling, owned by
Mr.. w. n McVeigh and occupied by Mrs.
s Dement,, on which there was no lnsur-
anca. Three story framed dwelling owned
and occupied By Mrs. Mary Il. Lawler, ln'
slred for 81 900 and 5000 on furniture.
With the exception Of the $500 on the house
of Captain Webster, which was IN the Alex
andria Insurance Company, oil which Messrs.
Wise & Co. are agents, the other policies
ware in companies for which Messrs. Jan
new & Warlield are the Alexandra agents:
Mira. pu!ing, Mrs. Brent, Mrs. FISHER ana
Mira. Rowland furnished an ample supply
of hot coffee TO the ilremen after the cohlla'
grafton had been subdued. Inc hremeh
worked heruically and braved every danger
10 subdue the flames and save the property:
This fire brDg4 to mind series OF
attempts and the eventual success VI
some iend or ferds in burning Captain
Webster's dwelling few years ago. Dur
ing the summer of 1877, when that gentle
man occupied house one square east, on
the opposite side Of the street, from the
scene of last nights conhagration, it became
a daily performance 10 extlnguish nres
f'und burning in either the Captains or his
nat door neighbor's house. There were
ssTen'teen or eighteen different attempts
,oo5a oil hours OF the day and uight be
fore il vas partially accomplished. when
earlv one morning the two houses adjoining
CANAAN W,bster's were burned 70 me
ground and that Of ths latter considerably
damaged, though it was s>'on repa,re C, suu
continued to be used by him % oWe owe. ~.
In the early part OF the folowl.% yea, ,; ;u'
house was again discovered to be Oh III 1 th"
and before it could be extingushed :" WV, we
upper portion was destroyed. Some I.
after rebuilding the same Captain Weoste:
moved his family TO the house destroyed
last night, where for the last two weeks at
tempts have again been made to burn him
out until their final accomplishment last
night The affair is wrapped in mystery,
and though all sorts Of theories are ad
vanced, so Tar there is no cew by which
The mystery can be solved.
SUICIDE OF REV. HENRY S. WILLIAMSON.
A dispatch in yesterdays GAZETTE an
uounced the suicide Of Rev. Henry 5. Will
hanson. at Trenton, n. J. His body was
found by two boys yesterday morning, at
the extreme end of West State street, with
his brains blown out. In his hand was
brand new revolver with one chamber emp
ty. The deceased was young man about
3 mr.