Cl TV BIiLMSTtH. WHOLESALE poisoning case THE SYMPTOMS AND RESULTS in the Seoond "Ward livery once in a while we hear of cases of poisoning by means of cheese. The casein in this article seems to unite malignantly with foreign matter, and, instead of conveying nu trition, be the means of producing death. It seems to possess the property of absorbing noxious gases, and through the pores ot its touch epidermis, to drink in matter that ren ders it dangerous, if not fatal, to all that use it. Like donah’s gourd, there is death in the pot. in which its constituent curds receive their p o jnt j iaB presented itself. To a huckster named Patton was sold, to be used as manure, a quantity of damaged cheese. It had been among an assorted cargo of an English ship. The action of bilge wator and various exhalations from chemicals in conti guity with it in the hold of the ship are sup posed to have rendered it inedible. The huckster’s beat seems to have been through the small streets in the vicinity of Sixth and. Seventh streets, from Washington to Dicker son. He vended various articles from his cart beside this cheese. The alarm was given about two o’clock yesterday afternoon, from., a dozen places at a single time.. To the; -doctors in the vicinity this coincident was sufficiently suggestive. Each sufferer had partaken of the same ap petizer at the prandial meal. The first symp toms were identical with those of acute cholera morbus, but with more powerful purg ing and more prostrating chills. Those who had most freely partaken of the cheese were the least to suffer. The patient of the many, attended by Doctor Creadick, who suffered, least, was a boy, whoso weakness on the cheese question induced him to make his dinner ot nothing else. In his case the entire contents of the stomach were spasmodically.thrownoff. The worst sufferer was a lady, whose only in dulgence in the article was in the shape of the morsel with which some people Hank a.trian gular Section of pie. The cases requiring medical treatment num bered nearly fitly. ' In house No. 1328 Wood bine street were four sufferers. In a house in Hay street, a family of six were retching and suffering in doleful cliorus. At No. 721) Bavard street, it was reported this morning that a woman was in a dying condition. That the report proved to be unfounded is not to, bo written down to the credit of the cheese, but to the promptness of attendance on the part of the doctors. It so happened that all the suffer ers lay within stone throw of the office of a doctor. Doctors Creadick and Wright had the bulk of the business. The remedies used were Hoffman’s anodyne, lac morphia, camphor water and lime-water. The intensity of the • symptoms consisted in the extremo violence ot tiie vomiting. No stomach-pump was neces sary. The object was to allay and not to in crease the distress of the symptoms. Two little patients of Doctor CJreadiok were saved only with exceeding difficulty. The younger of them was for some time on the verge of fatal collapse. , . . • A Mrs. Morgan, living in the vicinity of Sixth and Wharton, is the only one of the vic tims to be thus far considered in danger. Our reporter interviewed several of the sufferers. None of them felt like smiliug. On the con trary,they looked as if they had been running a foot-race and been badly worsted. Two children of Mrs. Brady, Sixth and Wharton streets, had been dining with the children of a neighbor. They sickened soon after the meal. They had eaten the cheese. The youngest, about three years old, ftrstsank into sleep at the close of the repast, and then vomited itseli into a condition of exhaustion. We asked one lady, who had similarly sick ened, if she were dead. She said, “ No.” She looked as if she hadn’t come far short of it. Eor the purchase of the cheese she blamed herself. “ Bedad,” said she, “ tho chazelooked so nice that I made Barney run afther the ould blackguard of a huckster afther his dirty ould wagon was out o’ sight.” The doctors have no idea that any mineral poison had entered into the cheese. It was at first conjectured to havo been the subject of an experiment with a view to remove its rancidity. Examination of the cheese doesn't carry out this idea. It Is fair looking. If purchased at a first-class grocery store it might have, passed current as old Stilton, and . have sold for thirty cents a pound. In the vicinity of this occurrence the busi ness of the brotherhood of hucksters is likely to be badly bothered for some time to come by the blunder of this particular individual of its membership. The purchase of tainted oysters, stale fish and withered vegetables con stituted the livelihood of many of these people. They scour the produce wharves for whatever refuse they can pur chase for little or nothing. The unsold stock at the wholesale fish market after Satur day noon invites their special attention, while upon a stock of damaged oysters, of decaying apples and kindred commodities they ever keep watchful eye: Their field of operations is through the smaller streets and alleys of the city: Some of tho bigger operators, like boss „ draymen, run a number of wagons, and pay the vendors pro rata, for the amount of their receipts. The cheese item in their business is now likely to be dropped.' That this article in a certain stage of decomposition is a dangerous poison, win. now be learned by many who didn’t think of it before. The huckster who in this case has made so much hubbub lias wisely absented lilifiself for the present. His discovery by tho victims of his indiscretion would involve him in serious headache. An Old Drunk add. — Bast evening, about six o’clock, a woman, about 80 years of age, t who resides about three miles above Frank ford, was apparently taken suddenly ill as the ear was entering Frankford. She was assisted to a drug store, and was then removed to the Police Station. A crowd collected, and much sympathy was expressed for the old woman. A physician who had been summoned arrived, and, upon making an examination, pro nounced the woman to be very drunk. She was then locked up. This morning she came forth from the cell in good condition and started to walk to her home. Lumber Thieves.— Joseph Foust, Sr., Jos. Foust, Jr., and Peter Leamon, were arrested yesterday, while in the act of stealing lumboi from a raft at Allegheny- avenue wharf. They were held in $6OO bail by Aid. McDonald. Thomas McConnell was committed by Aid. Neill on the charge of stealing lumber from William street wharf. About nine o’clock last evening, a raft be longing to John Kelly & Son, at Mead street wharf, was cut loose, and the hawser stolen. The lumber iloated out of the dock, but was captured before any had been lost. Contract A warded.— At a special meeting of the Board of Health, held yesterday, the contract for cleansing the streets, removing ashes, &c., of the Twentieth District (Brides burg and Frankford), was awarded to Thomas D. Stites, for the sum of twenty-seven hundred and twenty-five dollars. Assaulting a Child.— lsaac Urich has been held ip five hundred dollars bail, by Alderman Burns, on the charge of assault and battery on a little girl. It is alleged that lie struck her ou the bead with the tail-board of a cart, at Sixth and Oxford streets. Man Missing.— James Gross left his home, No. 914 South Sixteenth street, at nine o’clock on Tuesday morning, and has not been heard of since. He is five feet five inches in height, slim built, pale face, gray eyes, and is bald on the top of his lu-ad. Assaulting Tavern-Keeper.—J ames Miller was before Al(l. Waterhouse yesterday upon the charge of having beaten James Leo, proprietor of a tavern on Jefferson street,Ger , j.jnantowu. He was held in $6OO ball. Picking Pockhts.— Edward Tilton was ar rested last evening, at Walnut street wharf, on the charge of having picked the pocket of a man of two dollars. - lie will have a hearing at the Central Station this afternoon. ;. ; . Found Drowned. —The body of an un known man was found in tbe 'Delaware at Washington street wharf this morning. •IMK I’lltK 91AHMUAX/0 BE I*olll'. rirm in Pliiladelpliln in IBC»—Their Cnwu-H—The' Lowws nod luNurnnees-j- Inct-ndlarism,aiii<i no«v It is to be Sup preuiCd—lhe WrlKln uf tho Claldwoiy nnd Chamber ot Commerce fire*, Ac. The'Thirteenth Annual Report of Alexan der W. Blackburn, Eire Marshal, which ac companied the Mayor’s message to City Coun cils yesterday afternoon, is a highly interest ing dociimeut. It says:, ino past was tho moHt extraordinary yoar ovor known in tho history of flros In Philadelphia. It markß a nmnoruhlo epoch in tho local chronicle.-, of suchalHtt«- IroiiH events. The hurt ing of propurty, hotli In Ire quency and doEtructivontißS* waa unprooetlcntou. L>on impraliona wero ouroeroua andi extonaivo. anil uomo ot them-of a remarkablo and startling character. Bo venu ol tlio finest and most substantial piloa of arcliUoctuiu in tho metropoUs—monunionts of individual or asso ciated enterprise, and objects of prido to every appre* elating citizen—were annihilated by the firo-domon, and millions of wealth vanished before his devastating besom. Tho losses of tho twolvemontb wore onormous. They aggregate a sum without a parallel in auy previous y °The whole number of fires during tho yoar was 623, of which a largo majority wore slight, and occasioned only trilling damage. There were 61 in January. 40 in beb runryr3S in March,46 in April, 39 in Muy, 64 in Juno, 113 in July, 63 in August, 47 in September, 49 u October, 4G in November, and 43 in December. Nearly ono-balf ofthosoiu July happened at or about tho timo .of tho Anniversary of American Independence, and resulted from the pyrotechnic saturnalia which ulwuys attends the advent of tlmt national holiday. Fortuuatoly, in ist of them were OiHHvial account. The mo t tremendous conflagration of the year was the, annihilation ol the Patterson Warehouses, at tho cor ner of Front and Lombard streets, on tho night of the 4th of August, tholoss by which far exceeded that of either of the two historically great flros of October 4, 183 U, nnd July 9,i860, and waa thoreforo the heaviest ever occasioned by any firothat hasoccurrediAoutcity. The saddest fire was tho destruction of tho Bwft&jflpck, in Chestuut streot, abovo Ninth, on the mo*n!ns‘6'f AUe 14th of January, when two tinfhrtunate ployed in the jewelry storoof James E. CaldwSHkffisGo.* perished in tho flames. la tho wreck of amtf 'or nate structures and ruin of rare and costly goods, this tiro is without precedent in our annals of burnings, and in the aggregate of the loss it inflicted—three-quarters qf amillion—it is the third In rank among all thoflrcß of whichtbero is any refcord. The conflagration which oxtended ovor the largest aroa of territory ,uud swept awaythu greatest number of build ings, bi oko out iii u collection of frame and brick, tan neries glue and curled hair manufactories, and other working CHlabllahments, on the south side of Columbia avenue, between Fifth and Sixth streets, on tho after-' noon of the 25th of Juno, causing a total loss of a quar ter of a million. ... Next to ihe Caldwell firo, tho conflagration that crea ted the most intense sensation, and caused the keenost feelings of regret,was the stiddon.demolition of tho capa cioUHttiid splendid ball of the Commercial Exchango As sociation, corner of Bacond and Gothic streets, on the evening of the 7tli ot Docembor. . . ' ■ . Tho other principal tires w ore tho burning of thosugar refinery of lingers & Mitcnoll, Wo-d stroot, below Third, on the morning of*Dnccmbcr2ith ; the. stores of Feeder & Thatcher, Miisselman & Kirk, and others, Fourth street,above Markot. on the morning of the 26th ; nnd the warehouses ot F. 1). Worley & Co., and others, Proud street, abovo Arch, on tho evening ot the 241 h of lliti'fiuim! month ; Gnllery, Ohositniit Etreonbctow Ninth, and Tyson A Worthington'h livery stables,'nnd 3U head of horse.*., Broad etreot, ne.tr Wallocd. oh the evening of tho 31st of August; the storo ofiiconard, Baker A Co., N 0.210 Chestnut street, on flie evening of Juno 23d ; tho notion store of Nolor, Norris A Co., and other mercantile houses, on the north aide of Market street, between Second anil Third streets, on* the night of tho 9th of April; the skating-rink, Twenty-first and Race streets, on tho evening of tho 29th, and tho freight depot of the Phila delphia and Norristown Railroad, corner of Ninth and Green streets, on the evening of the 23th of tho same month; the blanket factory ol John Dobson, at tho Falls of the Schuylkill, and the cooporing establishment of Sibley A Co., Noble street, above Eloventh, on the moriiug of the 17th of May; and Mann’s priutiDg-pflice and blank-book bindery, Ledger place, on the morning oi the 6th of the same month; Pcttitt’s mill, Ninth and Wallace streets, on the afternoon of tho 24th; Weldon & Hughes’s waste-cleaning factory,Gunner's run near Hart lane,on the night of the 21st;the Boston Desiccated Fish Works, Columbia avenue* above Fifth streoi, on the morning of the 15th, and tue store of tho Messrs, Creigh ton, Chestnut street, abovo Second, on tho evening of tho 19tli of August; tho Excelsior Saw aiid PiunmgMill of Doerr & Son, Coatts street, abovo Broad and adjoin ing properties, on the morning of tho 4th of September, and the Union Steam Cofleo and Spice Mills ol Weikol & Smith, Front street, below Race, on tho night of th** 12th ; and the flour-warehouse and cooper-shop of Wil liumß. Thomas, southwest corner of Twelfth and But tonwood streets, on the night of the 16th of the same month :the shoe-factory of John A. Bogar & Co., and tho notion-store of Herzborg, Goodwin & Co., No. 118 North Third street, and other business establishments, on the night of tho 3d; and Franklin Woolen Mills, Twenty-fourth and Spruce streets, on the evening of the 15tb of November. % , ■ , , My duties were so incessant nnd onerous all the while, tlmt it was impossible forme to find the timo to keep as particular anu minute a record as 1 desired ; still. I care fully noted all the most important statistics, and from my own data, and the figures courteously furnished me by the underwriters from their books, I estimate the losses by the fires of the year, and the insurances on the same, as follows: _ T „ Loss. Insurance. Clear Loss. Junuarv $822,731 $633,211 $134,480 February 46,372 29,205 17,167 March.... 45,181 25,835 17 r 340 April 194,666 113,142 81,524 May - 138,647 108,124 ’ 30,633 June ;.j 361,814 209,195 152,619 July 74,316 26,830 August 2,485,7.83 2,266,355 220,228 -September...’. 165,210 116,275 38,935 October 58,252 43,023 15,724 November::.. 162,686 122,427 40,259 December..., 621,637 454,591 07,046 Total ...$6,(167,123 . $4,172,304 $891,821 ' These statistical figures aro truly frightful to coutem plate, and aro, indeed, sad tell-tales. They will, doubt loss, arrest the attention, and ought to challenge tbo consideration and reflection of every thinking mind in the community. The lessons they teach are grave and weighty, and, if properly hooded, can hardly fail to prove valuable guides forthefuture. in preventing the recurrence of a succession of so many fiery casualties in a single year. Tbo mammoth and alarming losses they record proceeded from a great numbor of causes, the most prominent of which are Carelessness, under an endless variety of cir cumstances, and. generally, moroor less reprehensible. Americans are the most careless people in the world. Stcond— lncendiarism* instigated by morbid desire for devilish excitement, sordid passion for robbery, greed of gain ormalignuutrevengo. Third— Overcrowding the floors of large buildings with valuable stocks ot goods, especially articios of an inflammable nature. Fourth— Defective construction of buildings, and the absence of almost everything to make tbcm fireproof. Fifth— Qtqbb deceptions by builders in covering up imperfectioas in the erection of houses, aud concealing sources of danger—too many of our modern dwellings being mere shells and tinder-boxes, and even our public edifices aud first-class stores containing germs of dis aster, hidden by attractive adornment. Sink—' The conversion of houses into powdor maga zines by slighted workmanship, and the introduction of heating apparatus, with an utter disregard of safety. Sti tnth— Stoves left at night, either through forgot fulnepe or intention, chock full of fuel, all draught turned on, and the door tightly closed. Tho heat from the red-hot cylinder of a stove will sometimes set fire to wood work at the distance of several foet, aud if there should chance to be combustible material in close proximity, as iB often tbe case, so much greater the jeopardy to (he building and its contents. Eighth— Hot ashes frpm stoves, ranges, furnaces aud heaters, put in casks, barrels, kegs, boxes, buckets, buskets, and other wooden receptacles, and allowed to stand ou plank floors. Whether in the counting room or office, the manufactory or shop, in tho entry, uuder the staiis, oron the lunuing, these deposits of tho re* mains of combustion are upt to conceal fine particles of carbon in a dormant state of ignition, und only requii?o lime to be aroused into power, and thus prove insiduous enemies toany premises. 4 , „ Accumulations m basements, lofts, closetsTTrid cuddies, under counters and in recesses, of dirty and greasy rubbish, which constantly invite accident from heedlessness, now and then tempt to crime, and not un frequently become a source of peril from chemical ac tion, culminating ill spontaneous combustion, 2\nth— Explosions of adulterated kerosene, and reck lessness in tho use of. benzine, naphtha aud gasoline;; und the fabrication from these hazardous products of petroleum, by mercenary and unscrupulous speculators, , f numerous fancy burning fluids, some of which are as explosive as guupowdor, and palming them off upon un suspecting tradesmen and housekeepers us the cheapest und safest illuminators—thereby introducing into stores, shops end factories, of merchants und mechanics, and the households of innocent people, dreadful agouts of busiuess hazards and domestic calamities. Pnlilic safety and humanity alike demand tho passage of rigi I legal enactments, ami the appointment of upright and reliable executive officers to enforce them, against tho making and vending of all impure and perilous articles for illuminating purposes. , , E’tventh— Leakages of illuminating gas from defective pipes in lathed aua plastered partitions) and between floors and ceilings, or escapes from Imperfect meters. These leaks ana issues of treacherous hydro carbon gases, are tho “ hidden dangers” In buildings, from which numbers of strange accidents aud unusual con flagrations originate, und iu guarding against them, thero cannot be 100 much caution. Twelfth—' Tho injudicious and reckless manner of ex tinguishing fires, and the unnecessary use and wantoh waste of water, whereby thousands of dollars'worth of merchandise are unnually ruined by undisciplined effort oud misdirected zeal. The remedy is a radical chauge in and thorough reorganization of the Fire Department —the question of the continuance of the volunteer or substitution of the paid system, to be decided by the wishes of the citizens through their chosen roprusouti*- tiris in Councils or tlio Legislature. In my opinlou, the day of a compensated fire department in this city is not fur distant, and when it dooscome—bo that time sooner er later—the transition will tuke place with thu appro bation of the firemen themselves. TAirfctfifA—Disgraceful thefts of goods by the miser able scamps who, iu tho guiso of firemen— u wolves in sheep’s clothing enter burning and threatened build ings, under false pretences, and depredate in tho midst of blinding smoke and deluges of water. Every fire now is a carnival ol robbery. *’ * * * The losses by fire iu the Unitel States for the year 1869 have been estimated by competent and woU-post«M statisticians, mgst familiar with such matters, at the immensely large Humof 846,000,000. If this estimate Is correct,it will be seen ihut Philadelphia has suffered to »h<‘ amount of one-eighth of the entire bulk of this vast damage to the prosperity of the couhtry. I am harpy to report that a very large majority of tho most destructive tires of the prist year wore accidental; 6till, 1 regret to state, that my records exhibit an in crease ofim’emlimy aeis over those of tho procediug year. One hundred and four out of iho total number oc‘ six hundred and twenty-three burnings, wero clearly truceuble to incendiarism, and fifty-four persons; more than one-bulf of whom were minors, were arrested op the charge of arson and suspicion of arson. A number of fires in the courso of the year, 'occurring in mt-fciiitlilo houses and other business places, were mysterious in theirorigin, und all attempts to account tor them so unsatisfactory t that there was good reus »n to sums cl either deliberate incendiarism, ho svereted to baffle discovery, or else carolo3Hm*‘iS so closely allied to wrong as to lender il difficult to decide whether thofj * suspected were-deserving ol severe ceimure.or auuvuabl • to the criminal law. Such cases are always i-xtn-ne’ly annoying to the fair and-st might-forward underwriter, and exceedingly «*inbfliTi»Hnliig to the officer whoso duty it Ik in investigate them without prejudice or favor. Aeil»eb.ist means of more effectually checking the crime of arson, and bringing its perpetrators to cou- PH ILADELPHIA EVEN INH BULLETIN, FRIDAY. APRIL H iM). : dign punishment, hereafter, I would earnestly recoiu "S&i-Tbe adoption of a more porfcpU and officiant system of police prevention This would deotand not only tho continued maintenance of tho morale of the force, by careful Holoctlon and rigid discipline, but an immediate augmentation of its numerical strength, which Is, at present, entirely inflitfllciout. - • Second— Tao prompt expulsion from,th> firo depart mi nt of alldleordoily and lawless characters—pirticu larly those affected with that dangerous mental malady. pvromatita— and tho exposure and imprisonment of all depraved and thieving adherents. Third—' Tho thorough examination 1»y compotont in spectors of all risks before writing on them, constant supervision of the same during the continuance of the policy,and a re-exninination at the time of renewal, and on ovory application for increased Insurance. Those ox rmiuutionß and visits of inspection, which could offoud no sensible person, would soouro order and cleanliness, expose hidden perils, prevent deceptions and f> amis and bmict and cement mutual confidence botween the under writer and the honest policy-holder. Fourth—' Tho exaction of the condition, in all contracts for indemnification for loss by tire, that a curtain pro portion ol tho risk should bo borno by tho insured. This would induco carefulness, nnd offer no temptation to violate tho statutes of tliu Commonwealth. Fifth— The refusal of evoy risk, tlio moral character of wbicli was at all doubtful. Sixth— Tho offer of liberal standing rewards bv both tho municipal authorities and'Boards of Firo under writers, for such'iufornmtion as would b’lid to tho detec tion. airc&t and conviction of incendtarios. A faithful official needs no such incentive, but people who lose time In.aiding detective operations, havo a rlgnt to ex pect pecuniary remuneration. And furthor: although it may not bo very complimentary to liunmu naturo.lt is nuvorlhoh b.s true, that a little ujonoy. judiciously ana properly employed, will often accomplish tho detoction of. crime when everything else fails. A pair of Ups can be induced to open to impart a secret, under tho influ ence of poll, when no other potency could move thorn. As a lover of my own raco, I record this in sa lness, but such has been my experience as adotective. But after ull, we have to take tho world as wq find it, nnd troat it accordingly, taking curo that wo do nothing wrong. Seventh— The utmost cautiousness and strictest scru tiny in taking security in canes of arson, promptness and persoverance in suing out forfeited recognizances, and the'unrelenting prosecution of all perjurod ball-goers. In tho last three years, a nnm\)or of incendiaries, de tected and arrested by mo, with ovldonce against them of the blackest and most positive character, have oscaped and fled beyond tlio reach of recapture, through the laxity that has existed in the matter of taking rocomii z&ncca ; and it is rare that a trafficker in straw-bail is ever made to pay tho penalty of his audacious temerity, Justice is hatfled ana defeated, and its administrators continually laughed at. The report of tho Fire Mar ihal of Now York for 1369 statos that there were 913 fires in that; city during the year, causing a total loss of $3,416,402. The great excess of losses in Philadelphia was owing to the terrible casualty at the stores of the Penn Ware house Company. The numbei c tif couvictions for arson iu Now York, for the your ending October 31, 1869, was 3—two men and onowoman. Ju Philadelphia, for the year ending December.3l. 1869, there were 6 convictions for arson—two, men and three youths. The Fire Marshal of York. 111 his last annual re port, says : *• There is great difficulty in obtaining a conviction for arson, the obstacles in tuo way boing al most insurmountable.” ' 1 Whut.-tliis able official asserts is most truthful. My experience perfectly accords with Ms. In tho black catalogue’ot human transgressions, thorois no p*nal of fence so"arduous and perplexing to deal with as that of arson. Next in enormity to murder-, it is a crime ongen doicd by the mast diabolical promptings of the hearty l Buse und cowardly in its conception, it is always con cocted in secret, and iu its perpetration is over covert und stealthy.' Ileucetbo detestable and. wicked not t genorolly envoloped in mystery and darkness, and the incendiary hides his tracks so completely as often to bid 'defiance to disclosure. .Whilo-in tho wake of ull other crimes Jit tho cnlendbrttherenrestartingpolnts to direct the detective, incendiarism seldom loaves a traco. Ail tho evidences of guilt usually perish with the firo itself . Tho appointed agent who undertakes the task of detect ing tho infernal deed, is generally obliged to commence his investigation without a solitary clue, and is com pelled to grope in tho dark at overy step. Success occa sionally crowns his exertions, but in many casos, after tho exercise of all his sagacity and skill, as well us the most untiring perseverance, ho fails to secure adequate proof of guilt. Ho frequently discovers enough to es tablish.a clearmdral case against the distrusted person, yet is unable to obtain evidence sufficient towarrauta verdict of guilty in a court of justice. , In taking a retrospective view of my own official career as fire investigator nnd detector, and remember ing tho obstacles I have encountered, and the discour agements that have confronted mo at almost every pace, I nin amazed that I ever accomplished a tithe of the little I have done. , x ~ . ' Yet I am willing that my record should speak for itself. It is just thirteen years since I was detailed from the detective department of tho policofor tho special duty of investigating the causes ot fires and detecting incendiaries. During that time, 914 persons were arrested on the charges of arson and suspicion of haviag committed or intending to commit that offence, and con spiring with and instigating others to perpetrate the same, and being accessory thoreto either before or after the fact, or both. The number convicted, either by their 'own confession to tho Firo Marshal, or by pleas on arraigflpient, or verdicts of juries in the criminal Court, was 163—an average of one conviction a month. Th • Hgeß of these detected parties ranged from eight to seventy years. , . Iu no city in America or Europe, as far as I nave been able to obtain information, has there beena larger num ber ot persons found guilty of incendiarism in tho same period of time. For half a century immediately pre ceding the creation of the firo detective branch of the police by your distinguished predecessor, Hon. Richard Vaux, convictions for arson iu Philadelphia were very unusual. The arraignment of an inccuamry was so uu freuucut an occurrence that it convulsed the entire com munity. The records of the criminal courts show that sometimes there was not a solitary conviction for that offence in a continuous period of five years. Prior to 1840, a trial for arson was rare. Between 1840 and 1850, there was un occasional instance. After the formation of the Marshal’s police, in iB6O, the instances became more frequent. But as in all other things,so in the de tective operations of the police, what was everybody’s business was nebody’s business, and it was not until 1857, when fire detection was made a specialty by Mayor Vaux, that this alarming crime was grappled with I have regularly road tho reports of the Chief of the Metropolitan Fire Brigade of London, and also thoso of all the fire investigators of thecitiesof thiscountry, where suchfofficesand agencies buvo boon establisheu, and conceding to these officials tho highest reputation for activity,energy, zeal and ability, I find that none of them can show a more favorable record than mine. Ido not say this egotistically,but ouly in justice to myself. The examination into*the cause of the Are at the Patterson stores, whioh has already been the subject of a special report, is alluded to, and then the long aud tedious investigation of the fire at the Burd Block, and the various theories advanced in regard to the origin of the conflagration, are referred to at much longtb. The theory of the Fire Marshal in reference to the last named fire is thus stated : fl Beyond all peradventure, tbe testimony obtained,by me establishes tho f«ct that the fire was first soon in the Bansum street enid of tbe basement. Smoke issued fr< m and flame wap observable in this part of th? build ing before the least sign of fire was discovered nay when? On the night of .the conflagration the weather wins calm and the atmosphere misty. Gas-jets were burning in the cellar. The porter in banking tho fires of the heating apparatus, put on afresh supply of anthracite. The fuel was full of coal dust. An examination of the pile from which it was taken in the vault proved this. The quantity of coal placed in the fire-box was liberal. The furnace doors were arranged as usual, to check the flow of air to tho grate and insure n very plow combustion. From the porter’s own statement, I am induced to think that the fluo-dampor of the Sansom street furnace, by an unintentioaal ana un conscious omisfiion on his part, was improperly regu lated,and thereby thedeliveryof the productsofcoinbus lion to the chimney was retarded. The result was the production of carbonic oxide gas, ami its diffaslou through the apartment. This gas is combustible, and under certain conditions explosive. My inference is, that the carbonic oxide produced aud diffused in the manner explained, ignited and exploded when it met „ with the circumstances favorable thereto, and thus com municated tho fire to the premises. The flames rapidly in crciii’fri by the ignition of tho packing; material that lit tered the cellar floor and filled the bins, soou involvod tire boarded ceiling and stairway, and licking through the crevices of the hatchways of the first and second floors, leaned to the top of tbo building with the celerity of electricity. They were augmented in volume and power in their electric career by the combustion of the dry and highly varnished partitions and richly oiled fur niture of the offices and counting rooms •on the first story, and thesleeping and dressing-rooms on the Becoud floor, and tho melting and destruction of the light gai fixtures in these apartments; and they were further swelled and intensified by the full head of gas which was on, and flowing with fatal velocity through a two and a half inch main, which supplied the hundreds of that lighted that extensive and spacious utero. My final conclusion, therefore, is that tbo cause of the Caldwell fire was the generation, diffusion, ignition and explosion of carbonic oxide gas, from tho imperfect combustion of the coals fed to the boiler-grate. Time may yet dispel tho obscurity that enclouds this unparalleled casualty, and solve tho mystery of its ori gin. If future disclosures should prove that nay conclu sion w«« erroneous, it will be a pleasure to mo to ac knowledge the mistake, without hesitation, and' in a spirit of the utmost frankness. A lengthy account of the investigation ot the conflagration at the Chamber of Coiri merce building is given, and the theory of the Fire Marshal is that the lire originated fronp the heat of the flue. dpj'opos to the subject of the investi gation of tires, about which there has been, for some time past, a disposition to find fault with the Fire Marshal, fcne valuable report of that celebrated chemist, Professor Graham, of London, of his scientific inquiries in connection with tho oflicial investigation instituted by tbo English trade authorities into the cause of the tiro in the British ship Amazon, is appended to the report of Mr. Blackburn. ! At the conclusion of the report the Insurance. Patrol is thus alluded to : ■ ■ “Within tho mint ynnr, an institution lou" neojßii in our city, und of which I wus one of tho curliest iitlvd cutcs.lias become u ronllty und I um grutilled to suy tliut, from its Inception, it met with your Honor's cor dial approbation. I need hardly add that I refer to the ItiHurunco Patrol. Th is organization, during tho fow months of its existence, liub demonstrated its groat valno to tho business and general community by tho protection it has afforded to property in times of fire. Working in harmony with both tho police und lire de partments, it lias saved, by its vigilunce, promptness, activity aud energy, thousands of dollars’wortii of goods. It should ho generously fostorod by thu Fire Underwriters and tho public, More Arrests.— George Broiner and Wm. Montgomery were arrested yesterday Dy Spe cial Otlicer McGranopon thu charge of having been concerned in tbe robbery of the house of Kdward T. Belts, No. 2017 Ogden street, on Sunday night last. They are looked up at tho Central Station awaiting a hearing. Cruelty.— William Ferguson was arrested at Second and Oxford streets,' yesterday, for cruelly beating a horse. He was taken oofore Alderman Burns,and was held iu live hundred dollars bail. Locad Cnownmi —To-day is hound ia hluo and gold. , The shad fisheries, at Gloucester, are begin ning.to draw tlio tisqal gatherings of tlio pis catovially curious. \ “The introduction of gilded embellishments to iron railings is beginning tb bb generally fol lowed up. Like the'mansard roof, wo soon expect to see tbe railiug of every handsome house in'Philadelphia rolioved by correspond ing light. ’ The gilding of the spear, heads upon tho railiugs of our public enclosures would he as pretty and as effective In Phila delphia as it is in "Paris. Let thoso who would charm the eve of tho by-passer as well as their own take pattern from some of the raoro modern iiiclosuros iu Broad street and vicinity, The chapel of Calvary Presbyterian Church, on Locust street, is assuming its proportions. It will be completed in September. The man who didn’t believe that Europoau sparrows could ho acclimated iu. this city now finds liis mistake. The little creatures are building their nests in every direction. Their tameness is , remarkable. Where their visits are welcomed they invariably repeat them. At the Widows’ Asylum they come confidingly down trom’tlie ivy, in which they . are,leaking their nests, to the crumbs and seed dropped for them on the piazzas. Laieckx v of Jtiw'Ei.RY.— -Win. B. Hockor was.arre.sted this morning, at tho instance oi Wai’iie, Bros. & Co., No. 712 Chestnut street. It is alleged that lie represented to S/S. White that ho wasaoonverteu.lew.and obtained from that gentleman a letter to W., B- & Go., ask ing them to allow Hecker to have jewelry at reasonable rates/ While engaged iu examin ing some, it is alleged he pocketed several articles. Yesterday, a salesman in the store of Wnrtie, Bros. & Co., went into the store of B. F. Dubrisq, at Second aud Green 'streets, to effect a sale. He offered something for S 4 00. Mr. Dubosq said that he had brought a similar article for S 2 00, and produced it. The mark ofW., B. & Co. was found on it,and as it was never sold to Hecker,from whom Mr. Dubosq purchased it, it Is supposed to have been stolen.' This morning, Heckor again went to the store of Warne, Bros. & Co., aud while examining rings hb wasarrestod. Upon searching him, about, a half a dozen stolen rings were found. It is also alleged that ho has been stealing from tlio store of George Renick, No. 70S Chestnut street. Hecker has a license as a pedlar. He will have a bearing ! at the. Central Station, this afternoon. SrnuEN Dkath.—Charles Harmstead, for the last sixteen years ono of t-lic keepers of Moyamensing Prison, died suddenly, this uiiorning, just after completing his regular round of the prisou. Mr. Harmstead appeared to be in his usual condition of health this morning, but upon returning to his room, took a scat, aud died almost instantly, as .is supposed, from a stroke of apoplexy,.. The deceased was sixty years of age, aud of per fectly temperate and regular habits. He was regarded as ono of the most reliable and effi cient keepers of t,ho prison, and liis death will he much regretted. Directors of the Uhion League have made arrangements to present a handsome banner to the colored citizens, on the occasion of the celebration of tbe adoption of the Fifteenth Amendment, on the 26th Inst. Accident. —Joseph McGlone, aged 52 years, residing at 1006 Sansom street, injured his knee-cap, by falling on the stairs, this morning. He was taken to Pennsylvania Hospital. Fire.— A fire occurred at No. 606 Penn street, this morning. Maria Woods, a de ranged woman, set lire to her clothing and a bed. The flames were speedily extinguished, however. Mad Dogs. —During yesterday a mad dog was killed on Tenth street, below Pine, and another was shot at Noble and Dilwyn streets. Stealing Harness.— George Keyser was arrested for attempting to steal a set of har ness from a stable at Sixth and Diamond streets. Alderman Hood held him in $6OO bail for trial. Modern Progress.— Modistes aud fashion ers of to-day compare with those of the pas* as the present locomotive compares to the gone-by stage-coach. Thedifference is tbe same as that between the time required by a portrait-painter and a pho tographer to furnish you with a counterfeit presentment. Messrs. Agnew & English, Chestnut street, on the ground-floor of the Girard B ousc, could qualify Eve for a streot promenade inside of twenty-four hours. They keep constantly—or rather sell constantly— ladies' cloaks, dresses and garments of every kind. We examined the specimens upon the Jay figures with an interest that appeals loudly to" the bosom not only of ourself,out of the en tire hatch of Philadelphia bachelors. The feature that interested us was snowy white suits of lawn, linen and India muslin, fur helowed from border to waist, and so ethereal that the wearers might be supposed ready, after donning them,to flit away “like a beauti ful dream from the prosaic realities of dirty streets.” While the Messm. Agnew & English get up ladies’ wardrobes, they also sell material in the usual way. Thoir assort ment of silks and other dress goods is perfect; in black silks they offer what every judge will recognize as decided bargains. AmiNKHJSNTN. —The Amateurs.’ Drawing-Room, on Seven teenth street, above Chestnut, was filled last night for the first performance of the new tableaux illustrative of Faust. It was an enter tainment by a party of ladies and gentlomen of tbe first respectability, given for the benefit of tbe Newsboys’- Bfome. The arduous task undertaken by these charitable persons has been accomplished after a great deal of pre paration, and we have seldom seen a first per formance at any theatre so free from slight miscarriages. The story of Faust, as given in tbe first part of Goethe’s drama, is interpreted -by these scenes from beginning to end. The stage is six times set with elaborate and artistic scenery (express by Bussoll Smith, in bis best style), in the midst of which, in a series of changing tfibleaux vivants, the plot is elucidated. The figures, in splendid dresses, and lighted with all the appliances of scenic art, are discovered in a group,which at a given signal suddenly changes, until an act of the drama is interpreted ,by the living compositions. 'Whether we call it statuary or picture, the ensemble is exquisite. The scene most to our particular taste last night, though not the most applauded, was that in the church. The curtain rising discovered a chapel in a large cathedral, with tall altar candles burning in the distance, and colored lights falling from a rose-window upon the tessellated floor and over a rich pne-Dieu; the worshippers devoutly entered the church, giving alms to the beggar at the entrance, aud finally “ Marguerite " came in alone, falling on her knees upon the chair. “ Mephistopheles,” stealing from behind a tall monument,suddenly stooped over her, while the music repeated the proper aria from Gounod’s opera; then the figures changed positions, with the sud denness of objects in a kaleidoscope,and“ Mar guerite” fell at full length on the pavement, with the prismatic lights playing over her white face and blonde hair. This is but a specimen of the beautiful effects represented; the village festival, with the enchanted wine, the return of Valentine, with his duel and death, and finally the apotheosis of Margue rite, elicited much approbation. Tho tableaux were each represented twice, and the novel spectacle kept tbe spectators in constant de light for., over two hours. The performers were, for amateurs, most remarkably well drilled; the arduous part of “ Marguerite,” taken by a beautiful young girl as conspicuous for her talent in tbe line arts its for the versa tility with which she can change her vocation, and become the picture she coulil paint so well —was acted with a grace and intelligence that charmed every one; the part of “Mephis topheles,’’ requiring a singular grotesque power, was played with much daring aud ver satility. “ Valentine ” was a triumoli of rjcli dressing and pictorial attitudes. “Faust” was pleasingly and sympathetically rendorod,— “ Martha” admirable, and tho other assistants were admirably dressed and carefully drilled. "We have been thus detailed in describing tho nature of the entertainment, because wo would like to see the house packed at tho re petition performance ou next Tliuisday even ing, when these charitable ladles and gentle men will undergo their duties again for tho same good object. —On Friday night of next week Mr. Adam Everly will have a benefit at the'Acoh Street Theatre In & fine bill. ThU will be ,Mr, Evorlyto fii*t appearance this season. and. an be in a great favorite, the bouse ought to bo crowded. ' , ' 1 CITV NOTICES. Tukkk is no doubt , but Saturday will be a gala day at tbo Great Brown Stono HaU of RockliiU A Wilson.' Thousands will bo rushing to fit tUoinselvcn ous Jta their all-wool #lO Spring Suits, and ®7 Spring Overcoats, togotlior with overy variety of Boys’, Youths* ami Gentlemen’h Clothing,far superior andoheapor than is offered at Any. other houso iu tlio oity. • . 'Kockiiilt. a Brown Stono flail, No. 603 and 605 Chestnut streot. Tiik ; liADIKS* Sokohis Olub, York, rocently changed their discussion* from Woman’s Suffrage to Hair Preparations and Pimplo Bauishors, They declared that, whoro nature had not endowod them with beauty, it wna tholr right-yea, tholr duty—to soek it where they could. "So they all voted that Magnolia Balm ovcrcumo Sallownoss, Bough Skin and ttliur marks, nnd gavo to the complexion amost rfis/»;K««(So rosianl and marblo-liko appearance (dangerous to mon, no doubt); and that Lyon’s Kathafron made the Uair grow thick, soft and awful pretty, amlj moreover proi vented it from turning gray. If tho proprietors of those articles did not send the sisters an invoice they aro not smart. ' Kennedy & Jbtoß., No, 7t2f> Cbeetmifc street, importers of Fine, Millinery Goods. Wholesale and rolail. ’ • Diamond Finger Pius.Stmls, &c. Alho, » variety or Kino C,*M .low»'lry. Groat In* diii’Piiiontfito buyers, at T. W. 11ait.ky, No. C 22 Market street. .... Kennedyk’ 'T’himmkd Hath arc peirleot .little going ; their Bonnet. are uncqnalwl. Solid Silver Table anti Tea Spoons, Forks, J.adlea, llntter Knives ; nlao. Table Oil,lory. All lira nlT.rnl at reduced r»tea. T. W.IUU/HV, No. (HI Market Htroot. Kennedy & Bnos., No. 720 Chestnut street, aro quoted aa the highest authority ill fashions. Priroo rcry moderate. ’ Ai.e tub Latest Styles or ; Cd»risos.rASTii.oo.\ 9tuff», ANU Viorisoj For Sprint Wear , Now Arranged for Public Insfbction, At Chari. Ka Storks'*, No. 824 Chestnut Stri.kt. Whitcomb's Asthma Remedy.—ln no case of purely Asthmatic character has it failed to giro pi ompt relief.' , Kennedy.& Bnos., 729 Chestnut street, aro daily receiving now abapea In bodies* Hata, Rich .Saab Hibbons, and Vino I, net's. Russian Bracks!— Both tlio Ends and LererßncklesaropATKXTF.il. You can (lnd an assort montatJ.W. Scott 4 Co.’o. N 0.814 Chestnut atreet. Kennedy & Bros., 729 Chestnut Htreel, aro the acknowlmlged leaders of Fashion In Ladies' Bound Hats aed Bonnets. Tlieir French Flowers are very superior. OAKf'Oini’sT.’ateet Styles of Ladies’and Misses’Spring Hate Gan be bail at their Stori,# 884 and 6311 Chestnut li treat. Ladies visiting the city should not leave without ereine the new Millinery Emporium of Thos. Kkxxkdt 4 8r05.,729 Chestnut street. Gents’ Hats! Gents’ Hats! The beautiful Spring Btyles Are u«w ready at Oakfordh’, under the Continental Carpets and Matting made up and laid. Matrasses made over. Furnitnre ro-nphoUterrd and varnished. None hut thabest workmen omployed. ALBERTSON A CO., Fifteenth and Chestnut street#. No Humbug ..About It.—Gentlemen In finest of elegantly fashioned boot#, made bv competent workmen, of the heet'Froueh calfskin, and furnished at about 25 per c*nt. lots than tho same goods can bo bought elsewhere, are particularly directed to call on Chaelks Etches., the artistic cordwainer, No. 604 North Eighth street above Buttonwood. Mr. Eichkl thoroughly understands all the details of hla profession. Corns, Bunions, Inverted Nails, skillfully treated by Hr. J. Davidson, No.9lsChestuut street. Charges moderate. Surgical Instruments and druggists Bindries. „ . „ . .. Smowdkm A BROTIIIHit ■ 23 South Eighth street. To Quiet, scottab and relieve the pain of children teething, nee Bowse’s tmrASTUoUDUL. Sold hy all Urnggists. ■ Deafness, Blindness and Oatabbb treated with the utmost-success. br J. Isaacs, M. D., and Professor of Diseases of the Eye and Ear (his speci alty) In the Medical College of Pennsylronis.U years ex perience. No. 808 Arch street. Testimonials con be seen at his office. The medical faculty are invited to ac company their patient*, a* he has no secret* in his prac* tic*. Artificial eyes inserted without pain. No chars© for examination. ■ PIANOS. GRAND OPENING. fffffl RARE CHANCE, fffffl The undersigned offer to the public at WHOLESALE PRICES, (For a Short Time Only) DECKER BROS’ AND KRANICH, BAOH&GO.’S PIANOS. In many respects superior to Stein way’s Pianos. WILLIAM BLASIUS, (The oldest of late Agents for Steinways) 1008 CHESTNUT STREET.. ap2 lmrpk FURNITURE, &L. FURNITURE. Reduction, in Rrices TO SUIT THE TIMES. $lOO,OOO WORTH OF ALL KINDS. GEO. J. HENKELS, ■i •- 1301 and 1303 Cbestnnt St. 1 mh26 ImrpS FURNITURE. JOHN M. GARDNER, 1316 CHESTNUT STREET, Hub unquestionably some of the newost and prettiest styles of FINE FURNITURE ever before produced. In regard to quality and finish thecoods ennhotbesurpupfiod. fly* Mr. the attention'of thoseiu* tending to purchase to call and oxamino hie stock, wuioji will bo sold at prices that must prove tempting. nih3o-ri)tf r - . ■ AGKAND BILLIAED TOURNAMENT for tho Oharapionship of. Pbnnßylvanlh, at tue AbHEMBLY BUILDING, commencing <*n MONDA.X, the 25th iT»sf.,ai»'(l ending on SATUwPAY, the Kirdt prl«>, ft Gold-mounted Ouo, prbaouted by iLav nnnch k Decker, Now York, nnd .a Bulendid BUitanl Table, immufiictured and prCHcmtod. by YwWi’ teulio : liio Second l*rizo. a purso of AIM. Third Prl/o, 87A. !rho public nro luvltcS. TlolloT-l, W cruts , ticket#, ®:t, (idniitting gentlemen and ladles. Th-j™ tu be bad at (he Ball, uud at alt the Billiard Rooms m tho city. ai>««trp BARTLETT. No. 83 South Sixth Street. .Ever thanhftal for tho patronage ex tended him heretofore, and desirous'of further favors, Ijpgs to announce hla Sprlngr Stjles of Boots and'Shoes for Gents’ and Boys’ wear. -A large assortment of Cnstom-madd' Goods, made on his Improved La'sts, which are unrivalled for comfort and beauty, enables him to furnish a ready lit at all times. defrih w flyrp WWANCIAi,; 7 PER CENT. GOLD LOAN, PURE OF VI. N. TAX, OF THE Burlington, Cedar Rapids and Min nesota R. R. Co.’s FIRST MORTGAGE 50 YEAK BONDS, (The Accrued Interest ts from November Jst Which goes to Vie purchaser.) AT 90. FEAT. TBOBTKEH : J. KDCAB THOMSON, Pre*i<!,ut Pennsylvania Btilrowl Oo CIIABLEB L. FItOST, Now York. ***** Bonds Are payable. principal and interest, in cnifitafNew York or LondoriYtUs interest being pay able in May %ud November. They are convertible into Mock, aud aro protected by a liberal Sinicin* Fund. They are issued upon the seroral sections or the road only as the same are completed slnd in successful opera tion. They are guaranteed not only by a first Hen upon the •ntiro property and franchises of tho Company, but also by now current earnings, and an ample commerce on the route of tho road, nod have not to depend for their ’so curity opona traffic which tho road itself is expected to create. .... - Over Three Million Hollars have already been ex pended on the rood. Eighty-three miles of road are already completed aad equipped t and show large earnings; and theremaiads of the line is progressing rapidly toward completion. The Btate of lowa, through winch this road runs, is One of the richest agricultural sections of America. Its large and extending population, and its immense yield of agricultural products, create s pressing demand for the construction of this road. The rood also runs through the fertile and growing £tate of Minnesota, It traverses the most enterprising and trovoint portion of the Weit, anil forms the shortest of the treat trunk lines in direct communication with Next York , Chicago and St. Louis. Having thoroughly investigated jilt the conditions af fecting the security of these we fee] justified in givlngtbeman unqualified indorsement as a first-class and thoroughly safe Investment, as secure as a Govern ment Bond can possibly be, and paying nearly SO per cent, more Interest than Five-Twenties. All marketable securities at their fall price, free of commission and express charges, received in payment , . Pamphlets and maps furnished on application. HENRY CLEWS & CO Financial 4c«al« of the Company, Mo. 82WALL STREET. OK BOWEN A FOX, -BARKER BROS A CO., T. WHELEN A CO., KURTZ & HOWARD. mU3o24trp A LEGAL INVESTMENT roa TRUSTEES, EXECUTORS, &c. THE UNDERSIGNED OFFER FOR HALE A LIMITED AMOUNT OF TH* Pennsylvania Railroad Company’s General Mortgage SIX PER CENT. BONDS At 92 1-2 and Interest added to date of purchase. These Bonds Are Coupon and Registered, interest on tho former payable January and July I, on the latter April and October Ht. All free from Btate Tax, and issued in sums ef $l,OOO. By an act of the Legislature of the Common wealth of Pennsylvania, approved April Ist, 1870, these Bonds are made a Legal Investment for Trustees,'Executors and Administrators. For further particulars, apply to Jay Cooke & Co., E. W. Clark & Co., Drexel & Co * C. & H. Borie, W. H. Newbold, Son & Aertsen. ap)B 12trp{ DREXEL & CO., No. 84 South Third Street, American and Foreign Bankers. V \* Issue Drafts and Clroular Letters of Credit, available on presentation in any part of Europe. Travelers can make aJI their financial ar rangements through us, and we will collect their Interest and dividends without oharge. DBEXEL, TVTNTHEOP & CO., New York. DREXEL, HARJES & CO., Paris. j, yv, GIItBOUGH A CO., BANKERS, _ . 42 SOUTH THIRD STREET, Negotiate Loans, Buy and Bel Government and other re- liable Securities. jaJlmw fly§
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers