Navarro Express [Corsicana, TX], August 25, 1860
The Tyler Reporter confirms the report of the burning of Henderson. The town was set on fire in several places at dusk. The patrol had just left the public square for supper. A white man and two negroes, we understand, have been arrested. The loss is estimated at near half a million.
It is reported here that Dangerfield in Titus county, was destroyed by fire on Sunday night, the 6th inst. The Tyler Reporter of the 7th, states that the mail rider from Gilmer confirms the report. The same paper says over one hundred men are on patrol duty every night in Tyler.
The Tyler Reporter says, a man by the name of Simmons, who was expelled from Wood county some time ago for expressing abolition sentiments, went to Illinois and started an abolition paper. He lately returned to Quitman, and after remaining a few days, suddenly vamoused. On the night of his departure an attempt was made to set the town on fire, which caused the citizens to arrest him, and his life would have paid the forfeit, had not his wife’s tears and supplications prevented it.
More Incendiarism in This County.—The house of John Morrel, Esq., at Dresden, was set on fire last Sunday morning, 19th inst., just before day break, by some scoundrel. The fire was discovered immediately under the eaves before it had made much progress, but before efforts to extinguish it could be made, the house was wrapped in flames. Almost the entire contents of the building was destroyed. It is to be hoped that ere long the perpetrators of this damnable act may be swung up to the limb of a post oak. It is an excellent plan to rid our country of such characters, and the only sure one. Let us put it in practice. A little more watchfulness and promptness would surely enable our citizens to discover who these incendiaries are. Some time since a school teacher by the name of Ray was requested by the citizens of and near Dresden to leave, for uttering Abolition sentiments. This probably is the clue to the burning of Mr. Morrel’s house. In this place a Vigilance Committee has been organized for a month past, and a strong patrol kept up with unremitting watchfulness.