[Marshall] Texas Republican, July 28, 1860
Destructive fires in this portion of our State have recently been so numerous—so simultaneous in their occurrence, as to impress a conviction, amounting almost to absolute certainty, upon the minds of many of our people, that they are the result of preconcerted arrangement; the communication of a diabolical plan of revenge, set on foot and deliberately executed by fiends in human shape, sympathizers with those intermeddling abolition emissaries, who on former occasions have been expelled from the country by outraged and indignant communities.
That this conviction is not without facts to sustain it, will abundantly appear by a perusal of the following brief summary of fires which have occurred within a few days past in this and neighboring counties.
In the latter part of last week, a steam saw and grist mill was burned down at Millwood in this county. Supposed loss ten or twelve thousand dollars.
Sunday last, about 2 p.m., the great fire occurred at Dallas, an account of which will be found elsewhere in this week’s paper. Loss estimated at nearly 400,000. Supposed to be the work of an incendiary.
In the evening of the same day, about the same hour, the store house of a Mr. Dupree, at Ladonia, Fannin county, was destroyed by fire, together with material for a new building, a lot of carpenter’s tools, &c. Loss estimated at $25,000.
On the same day, about 2 o’clock in the evening the store house at Pilot Point, Denton county, owned by Mr. James M. Smoot, of Denton, was wholly consumed by fire together with a considerable amount of merchandise and nearly two thousand dollars in money. Total loss $10,000. The same day, between two and three o’clock in the evening, a fire broke out in the store house of J. M. Smoot, Denton, which, with the store house of Jacobs, and that of Baines & Turner, with nearly their entire stocks of merchandise, was wholly consumed. Loss estimated at $100,000.
Strong suspicions of incendiarism are entertained both at Denton and at Pilot Point.
On the same day, and about the same time of day, Milford, in Ellis county, was destroyed by fire; also a mercantile establishment at Black Jack Grove, in Hopkins county, the property of a Mr. Cato. A gentleman of the Grove informs us that the fire at that place was believed to be accidental. It occurred at 3 p.m. The loss is estimated at $30,000.
We have not heard the particulars of the burning of Milford. The news comes to us from Dallas, with the additional item that a fire occurred the same day at Waxahachie, but that it was extinguished before much damage was done.
These facts speak volumes in support of the fearful suspicion to which allusion has been made, and cannot fail to create the most lively apprehensions in the breast of every good citizen. We learn that strenuous efforts are being made in some quarters to ferret out the offenders and bring them to justice. All should be willing to assist in doing this, but should exercise a becoming caution and moderation, to the end that the innocent may not suffer, not the State be disgraced by lawless proceedings. Let offenders be arrested, and the laws of the land enforced, but nothing more.—McKinney Mes.
Attempts have been made to burn up Tyler, Quitman, and Jefferson, and we presume there is not town, store, or farmhouse safe from these diabolical miscreants.
The extra of the Bonham Era, which we have noticed in another article, mention the following fires, in addition to those mentioned above.
Fort Worth.—A mercantile house. Loss not given.
Waxahachie.—One house.
Belknap—Eight large store houses were destroyed. The buildings were owned by Drs.Foote & Thogmorton of McKinney. Loss not given.