THE CHICAGO FIRE ST A BTLIXG DEYKLOra ES TS. The Origin of the Conflagration a Mystery. WAS IT INCENDIARISM The Newspaper* ami the FSanltH. A ROMANCE OF TIIE FtRE. Increasing Confidence and Re viving Business. CfltCAOO, OCt, 2*1, 1971. A painful feeling of anxiety an I apprehension has been excited here by tUe astounding revelations of the past few days. The stories which were in circulation during the progress of the fire relative to incendiarism were at that time generally dis credited, but the researches of the last week have given them a colonne of truth which they had tatherto lacked. As you know, the kick of a cow and the explosion or a kerosene lamp have ooen generally received as the causes which led to tho lire; but the truth of this story has been denied upon oath by tie parties who were supposed to be roncerned in it. and wo are now told uo such cir cumstances hav-- ever takeu place. This leaves the origin of the tire an entire mystery, and speculation lias in cousequence booome very busy. Kvory one now lias a theory of his own, more or less improba ble; t?ut. amid them all, the opinion is fast gain ing; ground that INCKKDIAH1SM originated the conflagration which destroyed tho city. Ihe circumstances preceJing the fatal Sunday tughl, the district lu which the fire stalled and t lie subsequent acts ol plunderers, are cited as proofs of the existence of an organized and matured plot which Anally accomplished the promedtiatod work. These assertions, tr iney can i?e substantiated by facts, arc extremely alarming to us as a people, Miowlug, as Uiey do, that our large cities are In a great measure at ttie mercy ol the criminal classes, who form so large a part of their population. I man In just.ee say that the theory has not met much encouragement here, eiiher from the jircfw or the prominent citizens; but, never theless, a larae porilou of the most far-seeing, sensible and shrewd people tirmly believe that the lire was the result of u well planned scheme of the city desperadoes, ihe proofs tuey adduce, as you will shortly see, are strong and plausible, and go lar to prove the correctness ol the viows they hold, ami, in the absence of the cow aud lamp story, are Unserving of every consideration. I am no alarm ist bat, judging from wiat I have heard and seen, J should say It seems impossible to suppose that the llres of both Saturday and Sunday were tho result of accident, they were so alike in tlielr origin uud destrucitvenesa. With the story of tho Com mune, the destruction of Pans and the history of the International, fresh m our minds, no revelation, however strange and outrageous it may appear, Should i>e hooted at as an Improbability. In our own urge cities there are bands of crimi nals to be round fully as dangerous, reckless ana bloodthirsty as any that can be found In London or I'aris, and we need not be astonlshe l at an> charges brought against them, provided they can be sub stant lated by proofs. It may I* remembered that the Are OF SATURDAY NttiilT vaa only prevented from becoming a geueral con flagration ny 'he determined ami united efforts or tin- firemen and citizens. who, after Immense diffi culty. stayed its progress and confined It to the dis trict In which It originated. Those who hold the In cendiary tncory here claim that i his whs ihe first mi tciu pi made to burn the city, only failing lor tno reason* i have enumerated. On Sunday night, however, no obstacle stood in the way of the des peradoes. The firemen wer? i'iftXtTgrkD, the citizens v.*cre worn out. and a favorable wind city-wart* was sharply movta| In mo pdttiog fiom whence tha flr.si alarm cauic ail was poverty, misery and cr mo. The dwellings were irauie stiautics, used lor the vilest purposes, and the in habitants were wlihotit exception the most I'UIMJVAI. to be found m auy city or the land. Such people Ii.m iluc.i to gain and nothing lo loselrom wnat would i>e to others a general calamity, and iheir i-ub e?iuaut couduct Iihs proven ihat, whether they Marted ihe lire or no, they certainly showed them .-??Ives delighted with the opportumiy it presented lor rapine and pillage. Another reason which u.ighi influence tnern to act in ibis way is also urged l>v those who iavor these views. The great busi ness blocks of the city w?-re rapidly encroacluog upon their Alsaua, and in a short time bid fair to clean It out. Is it not natural to expect that lawless lumans, such a* they were, would su iKe a parting blow prior to their final rout ironi the naunts witu K 'uch they had been so long familiar v The dirco ti.Tn "iat ,,0'h the fires 01 Sai ur day and sun1 lay took cat ?-r, elv bc ca,ied A foijjclPRNCK i.'. *ccounied ior otl?en?..se t,un by sup- j Loam* ''m; men wuo were en?J'i^tc' them j li id kluuied tne flanies winch gave illt>vn #oope lor their hel isb woik" From the very Mart o.' the fire I organised nanus of plunderers were everywhere ut work, who actually rejoiced at the awtul scene j ?>etore them. I am uot speaking troin iiears. i 1 was a witness tj scenes myse;i, which, if I ha on the (pit i(,T lurtuer developments, such lire tne latest opinions eniertalued by folks lure teiaiive tPtue origin of the lire, aud It cannot be denied that they carry about them an air of proba PUity it is not a-.v to overlook, I hope th y may re proven lalse; but. If true, the con ntion of things is truly alarming lo the country at targe and your own city in particular. .New York Is to-day al moat hi i tie nieri y of her larire criminal population, I tne long oouine ?>i thieving aud corruption in dulged in bv the cltv oltlcial- having strengthened tue lormer in ineir abandoned courses bv leading i iheui to believe they were above all i*ty. otilngfcni measures must i>e niimeotaujly taken to curb this dangerous element and bring it into subjection or IHJ deplorable result* yiaj at any time occur. 1 line ?>cCupi6d niiR Spice ttian I purposed in treating of this matter, but 1>? importance and the Interest it ex ites here mus' be my only apology. Tlik NKWSPArKRs. The uewspai>err are beginning to resume their wonted look, aud were it not that the paper they tire printed upon is not so good as formerly, and the itecuilar nature of tuelr contents, no one wou the lutuie (ur they are able, it h their much ami daring, to make it a freaier marl than It ever was befute. KOMANTK IM illKNTS. Now that the trag.c incideji.s or th< tin- have i eeo nearly all told, the romaiiti<' is creeping in anu may have already heard, 1 wlil turrate one told me during the course of my ram MM o-iik week- ago a clerk hi one of our citi I auks ?a? rctaruing one nlghi lulcr than uaml from til* bn?lness, and in passing the vacant spaco on Michigan avenue trontiug on the Uke, lie was startled o/ t tie tiipetraoce or A WOMAN IN wniTF. on the Lake Shore, who seemed in Imminent danger of drowning. Our lneud gallantly rushed to the lescue, au i ou ueaiitui the fair spectre ae feaw he had a case yf HOMNAMBtn.ISM to deal with. Tiie danger was gieat a* the iady wns making dlrectiv lor tiie lake, but being attired only in her night dress, the gentleman wjjs i?t A loss what conrse to pursue. !!?_?, however, had finally 10 cast delicacy aside, aud she was roused trom her dangerous Bleep. The position of the two was most euibarassiug, and the Urst Impulse of tne lady was 10 cast herielf Into the lake she had just been rescued trom. The gentleman proved himself equal to the occasion- Offenng his arm. as a matter of lonrse, he offered to conduct her to her residence, which offer she accepted, and the pair left for the lady's paternal residence, which proved to be one 01 the Unest mansions on Michigan avenue. Ttae.v met several times since at patljej given by mil ual friends, without any recognition ou the lady's part, tuongii she was we.l known to our hero as t tie i air somnambulist. An acquaint ance followed, which soon ripened into Intimacy, anil, as tue novelists sav, promised to necomesome tuing warmer, when ono night in an unlucky mo ment the gentleman rashly recalled to Iter remem brance the fatal night aud revealed himself as her rcscuer. The Intwintence was coldly received, sue not oemg at all pleased ai toe discovery, and the Intimacy was suddenly broken off. On the Mon day of i he flre, a gentleman perceived a woman battling lor her illewitn the smoke and names, and on going to her rescue he found the Lady or the Lake," he himself being the real Simon Pure. 01 course marriage must rollow such a si range coincidence, and we will leave the mat ter. merely adding mat you are at liberty to believe the story or re ect it, at your pleasure. THE HANKS, as vou will have seen by the telegrams I sent you. have all resumed b.slness, and their record Is most satisfactory. Tiie deposit* in every instance have been largely in excess of the amounts paid out, and this has tended to increase the confluence thai now universally prevails. Only one bank lias sus pended. a private one, and the proprietor ot that states tint he will siiortly be able to resume business i as formerly. TUF HEAR BODIES still continue to be lound, leading me to believe that the loss or iilc will be far greater than was at first supposed. It i? the saddest thing ol all to see how few of the corpses have been recognized, the dis figurement being so great in most instances thai all Identity is lost. Thousands of letters have been re ceived by the authorities from all parts inquiring lor friends, but very little tnrorinaiiou can bo gtveu incm, so Utile is ku >wn. T11K Nl'MltKK WHO UAVK LKKT the city within the past ten days has been estimated at 50,00% carried free by the rail road companies, leaving 2fto,ooo si ill remaining, whoso wants must oe looked alter for the winter. Notwithstanding the vast amount of (tead-headliig done by the railroads their receipts during the time vastly increased, notably so the Lake shore and Michigan, which has more than treoled its usual income for the last two weeks. THE REI.1KF FCNP Is being admirably managed, and the actions of the various committees arc endorsed bv all wiio are la nuliar Willi their work. The number or applicants for re!lei has largely decreased, and as work is abundant it will become even less. The spontane ous burst or charity with which ttie world has re sponded to our calamity has touched all hearts; but the conduct ot the Empire City in particular is lauded to the skies, and "God bless New York" is the universal on on all sides. This gratitude is nobly deserved, ror the world has rarely wltuessed generosity so noble as that which is now character izing all classes in your cltv. With all lieriaults the country has reason to be proud or New Vork and ir Chicago be a pi our never was this reeling so gene rally indulged in as H is now. Iu the days or her power aud prosperity Chicago little dreamed of the hosts or mends sue riad who have rushed toiler res cue. and wheu acts so uoble are seen a1 1 over tiie land I cannot believe that the destructiu >r the city Is an unmixed evil. tturke long since 0 r. ?- nr?. 306 Trn?p hireflt hiraio. Lohdell Tlunlev $r. ;:o Jainea Uuthrie a oo James Orel* 1 mi William O. Clark 1 ml A. Rippon. 1 o Tlwmu Carroll 2 Pu John O'Rorke 1 iiy Harney Clark I on M It hael Hick* 1 li' iiuM Srnlib i ,xi Jnhn Conway 1 no Jamea K. Kaymond 1 tM l'enl* Denipiy 1 (ifl V illiam Belerit 20 T. B. Kramer 1 U.t 3. M. lir >wn I no M. D. Keeier. 1 iki K. Lock wood 1 Oo Total .~#3 i 20 Reported yeaierday 75 tM? j Previously reported is,3iw j Grand total SI 8,474 05 Collected by Iiamlicr or Commerce. Tbildren ef Fourth Ward Industrial School $5 00 t*'Uberbee?, Sherman ?'o. (tor Michigan) 2MI (II |ir. H. J. ToblM !l>,r Michigan ant Wisconsin i Mi on Km ploy ea ol Newelll^ons Ifc 10 Baptist ebu' .-i,, Freehold, N J. (Michigan ami V. is CDUH'Tl^. IS on Five Ct^ie'?g of Orient, Miff.M* counly. N. V ft" 00 Workmen ?f C. A It. roillon (lor Michigan) 10* 00 Jj^.pioyea of the (Mixer House ?1 uoiimc Morrell for Michigan an I Wisconsin) 2b tfl Km ploy eg ol Oeorge J. Clan Ranald, 36 West Fourm Hxeet ilor Wisconsin 1" '0 C. t>. 10 OU Dr. Samuel Nicholson, of Lundou 10" W John P. fhoman-on. holloa. Lincolnshire, Kuglsnd, through Biown Bros k Co 4<25n gold Employes of Winter A llall (for Mlchigau and Wis consin ou Mansion House |Cbu ago. Relief immUtee, through Lord Ma.for ?f London and Dreie Morgan Oo. ?J,S16 IS Tl)ta: *40*rin 1 Pr?SW reported j Orand total by Chamber of Commerce I Lew lor forest Ore sufferers "wj*1 j Total for Chicago 06 From Erie Knllwny Audit Department. V.uif. Amount. Jf'im'. A O.F Morosinl *26 iKI Tom Godwin.^. I OO A. ftbinnnel 10 W C Richardson *1 <-0 a O Verrlnuer 5 U0 *m. llannan 100 H. H. Johnson 6 "0 J. II. Crowell... loo F Co*k?mlall 5 00 .Ino. orken'lall I on f ft Borl 8 0" Smythe 1 00 D li. Mclaado 3 00 L. (Jrainmer 1 J. M. (ial? 2 ft' K- D. WaUb 1 <*J J H. Cook 1 0J II. A. Hilton 1 "0 R S. Til (ten 1 00 J. 3.T. wing b-> H 1* Ante* 1 "0 C. W. Neltiling 6" Jno. Wllllamaou I Oo 1). Prlniroaa W H II Delano 1 ifl K. J. Woodward S5 J. .vlcDonala 1 0" H. U. C. Millar ST? M KeeapiioiitiTon of Vr?ierdu>*? lleeelpu. Receive I ai 1I*hai.i> OlCce Received at Chamber ol t mxerce A mill Def/armeat. hrle Railway i.ompany )'re?ion?ly reported _? Co leclixl In mrope to October 23. 1'iiilaoel^bia'a d"Batlon Add >aw Tor* Total, New York, Europe and I'lillu'lelplkia S.l.633,962 34 whit ree PtoPi.t bo ayd say. WeMern (aovernor'n llittnk*. The Chamber ot commerce Commitiee have re ceived the loilowing telegrams:? U*troit, Mich Oct. 23, iwi: A. A. Lnw, Tr?aanrer? Tbank you wub all ui> heart. WKHTKRN OOVBi.NOR-*" THANKS. Hat' draw on j on for ?lu,(ioo. HKNKY F. HAL.I1W1N. MamauN, Wli? Oct. 24, l*?l A. A. l.nw, Tieaturer -Many lhaaka Mill draw lor $1?,000 at once. LUclUS KAlHClUt name iT.ia aflfl JJoatuU tiprea? l bund.e clutl, W llln Womert, Teutli war 1, 1 bo? flun-iei ihirti Rev. lborr.a> a. Ilaslinga, 4 raaea ciuthlng, 1 bundle bed ding. FROM BROOIt.YN hOR CHICAHO AN't> FORES TKBS. Mi. Harm, l.tti Frinitlin avenue, I bundle Ciothlng Rr W H. War leil. 46?; HeKali avenue, 1 bundle elotblng v J. K ?'ornel!, P2 Hart itreei, 1 bundle clothing. Mian Anna Harden, Myrtle avenue. 2 bundlea clothing. >1 .a* Iblka, Walworth alreet, 2 I11111. Ilea clothing. Mia. Benjamin Wilton, Mjrtl* avenue, 1 caae clothing Mm H. JuMKon, .Ski! man aireel, 1 bundle clothing. The IH'Rraw Htrcel Public irtshwo., No. 13. South Brooklyn. fcas cent fUteen larire boxes or clothing iin. I $l?m IB mouov, the contributions or the nebular*, lui the reliei or the sufferers l>y t lie Wisconsin are*. Ivuuk Clerks* ontribviiion la Aitl oltUe CUI" ensfl ^ullcrfrK, To T1IE E'lITOR OK TIIE HERALD.? I'll? bank clerk* or the city or New York ami vi cinity have placed in tho hands ol the Holier com Eaittee of Chicago the 9um or $:i,l08 25. In (IoIiir so It wax suggested that In the distribn tun of tho sum named preference be given bank cl.-rks ol Chicago out or employment, particularly those having lamiue*, to whom It affords us much pleasure, m the spirit ot Iraternltv, to extend a help- 1112 band. J. C. PARSON^, j President Bank clerks' Mutual Henctot Association. Ail far Cliti-u <:o. To-day a matinee will be alven at the Academy or Music, under ihe auspices or tho Benevolent Protec tive Order of illks, the proceeds of which will be devoted to the Chicago sufferers. All the minstrel companies or this ci;y and Philadelphia and a hand oi WO piece* will participate. Tbo uiauneo com mences at two o'clock. Nfwnrk to 1 hlcn.ro. It was not till yesterday that tbo $10,000 appropri ated \ast Friday by the Newark Common Couucil for Chicago wasrorwarded owing, to a hesitancy on the part or Mayor Rlcord to sign tne warrant, strictly speaking there is no legal authority ror such an ap propriation, but citizens argue that this is not au occasion where ha'.rs or conscience need be spin. AMERICANS ABTtOAD. Ilow the American* in London Came lo ihe Succor or tLe liiciifio Suffer, t*? Frompi nnd Timely Aciion? ltcNoluiious Adopted at (be First Ittcciiat in London. LOSPON, Oct. 12, 1871. To nay, upon tbe call of the American Minister, an Important meeting of Americana resident In Lomlon or pausing through was held at the Lang ham Hotel to express sympathy with tlie people of Chicago npon the great calamity, and to concert measures ror gtvng to that sympathy a material and substantial expression. Among the Americans present were the Minister, Mr. Schenck; Mr. Moran, Secretary of Legation: Consul General Bivleau; Messrs. Morgan, II able tit A McOullough, bankers; General Burnside, Mr. W. E. Podge, Mr. John Iloey, W. ll. Appleton, Governor Curtln, Uaudoiph C ay and John J. Cisco. At five P. M. the meeting was callod to order by Mr. Schenct. Mr. Hugh McCnlloch, Mr. George Wilkes and Colonel Maxwell Woodnull were ap pointed secretaries of the meeting. The following resolutions were adopted, as ex pressing the sense of tne meeting:? Resolved, That as citizens of ihe United States, for tbe present absent from our own laud, but deeply concerned in all matters auil events which affect Its prosperity or tbe well being of our fellow-countrymen at home, we hare heard with profound sorrow the news of the awful calamity by fire which has fallen on the city of Chicago that we deplore the tearuil lots of llves^nd tne destruction of property occa sioned by the fearful and appalling event that we unite in expressing our deep sympathy with tbe sufferers, who have been impoverished or made homeless, and thftt we desire und pledge ourselves to take immediate action and to con tribute such aid, according to Ihe measure of our several n.eans. as we hope may help, In some degree, to mitigate that suffering. Resolved, That a committee of eight gentlemen, to be named now by tbe Chairman of this meeting, be appointed to proceed as speedily as possible to obtain and appropriate such means of relief as may be contributed for tbesunereis at Cii-cigo; and that for this object they be Instructed and empowered to procure and remit subscriptions of moucy or other property, to advice and co-operate with any other in dividuals or associations of persons, In London or else where, who may engage in the same work to correspond by telegraph and otherwise with the proper authorities or per sons in tbe t'nlted Slates, and lo gcnera'lv do whatever else In ihcir ju taoant atu discretion may be best adapted lo pro mote ihe object In view. Resolved, That this committee of rel ef be requested lrom time to time or wuen their work shall be concluded to report through tbe public press or otherwlss an abstract of tbeir proceedings. Resolved, That as Americans we cannot separate without recording our cordial and thankful appreciation of the gen erous sympathy of the English people an t press aud of the prompt movements In aid of our suffering countrymen, a ready Initiated under the direction of Ihe Lord Mayor of London and other o A;cial personages aud Individuals in ihia kingdom. The Chairman named as the members of the com mittee called lor by the second resolution the follow ing gentlemen Mr. J. S. Morgan, Mr. Kussel! Stur gts, Mr. Hugh McCulloch, Mr, Charles Bowles. Mr. Claudius Habicht, Mr. Levi P. Morton. Mr. Benjamin Moran aud General AO am liadeau. Blank ballots were then handed around that gen tlemen present might write the sums they were ready to give. Communications were received from two theatrical establishments proffering per formances iu aid of the object. Geueral Burnside proposed that gentlemen should send up their cards with ihe amount written opposite their names that they wished to give. At the hour or closing this letter for the mail Mr. SchencK announced that the subscriptions were coming In well. It having been proposed that anv English sun Bcrlptioo should be cent in warm winter clothing? in order that England might send of her appropriate riches as America In snch cases h:til sent *i tier anuudanr grain? Mr. Schenck n^ilo tae assurance ihat the United States authyrHif-s would ceiratnly ullgct no revenue on snofl articles. THE fiZS? P nEE~ FUND. Further I'outribnltoiis Yesterday for the Sufferers. The following additional sums were contributed yesterday for the famishing settlers lu the Norm west who have suffered bv the fore-d tire*. Received at liic llernld OfBre. X A'tuotni. r. L. Nunnenkamp $5 (XI Attaches of Old Dominion steamship Company, pier 37 North Hirer 47 00 [3. F N. Association 24 00 Stranger" 6 00 Schoolboy (W Total at Hkr Ai.nofEce US? IW Previously reported.... 8U Grand total 3-375 SO Keceived by >Ir. Alexander Mltcbill. of Wis e until n. Temporarily Si?>i>l>ln?i nf ilie lloll imin llouse. Sonlter A Co %VM .loseph Kudd $50 K W. Vandenliotl iUd Cleric us 1>hi J. M. Fa ler 100 Isaac Sherman llHJ amniann A Co 100 Lucius luckerman 25(1 Oeorge 1'. Smith ltXI Jar. Itobb, King A Co. KM James li. (iarner llW B. W. I iris wold lliO Minnie and VVallle Bui- E. II. llab, lirooklyn.... 100 lei 5 Metropolitan Naiioual K. P. James 4 Co llMl Hank 1.0.0 J. A. Keardsly loo George J. 8ei,ey 100 l.reecleaf, Norris A Co.. K5 Knsaeil Page loo Total Krcnpilulminn of Yesltrdny's Donation'. Received at llr.RAl.n office 00 Collected by Alfiander Mitchell i.f.io Co Chamber ol Commerce W3 00 Total >e*ierday 00 Previously reported 27 Grand total 877,101 JIT l.p'ief lor ih'- Wetl, MlLWAl KBK, UCl. Zi, 1S7L The Belief Committee for Northern sufferers by the late fires desire to say lo a generous public I hat the supply of men's and boys' clothing now at this point and on the way ror the sufferers in the burned 6 farm is located iu that region and has sustained se rious damage. Mr. Caldwell had just returned, sick and exhausted by ids efforts to save his property Iroin the ravage* ol t lie llanios. For several days the air all about here lias liecn Tilled witfl smoke of a very disagreeable oJor, ema nating from the smouldering stubbie and rotten Mumps in the region over which the tire 11*1 parted and on Sunday night the southern horizon was illu minated lor miles by the g are 01 the conflagration ,;nd was watched with eager interest and appiohea a.o'i b.v mauy of our citizens, ihe dry weather and the t'igli winds that have prevailed ol late have ar forded ^veiy melius for tiie spread of the devouring element, winch ihe combined efforts 01 the number!* ol .men engaged in trying to sta.v its prog ress have i>eCu' almost powerless. l have been un able to gather ati/ further par.iculars 111 regard to the extent of the ft*"?11 ?,r tl,e damage they have occa sioned. The repoiU brought in arc various and conflicting: Houie tW the lire is .still pro gie-sstug and others i?J*t it has been sub dued. It was also ft oortetl last evening that Are had broken out in Wells' Woods, west of here, near Suelby Basin. No light could be seen in the direction PI Ihe fires last night, but it might have been obscured by the dense smoke which filled tue atmosphere. At last ac counts parties were engaged in raisiug the uaiu 111 the creek, with a view to tloodlug the swamp and low lauds, wheie ihe lire has beeu the most dest na tive. Mr. Caldwell estimate'' his damage at $000. Mr. Lumlcy lost a quantity of hay in stacks, the pro duct of sixty acres or land. Ihe air Is less smokv this morulng and there are strong indications of rain. Canandaiuca. Oct. 24, 1871. A Ore Is reported to be raging in the woods ou the east shore of Canaud&lgua Lake, south ol Vine Valley and extending nearly to the head of the lake. The particulars are not kuowu. Jt has oecu burn ing since Sunday morulng. UKOCIKPORr. Oct. ?4. 1871. The fires in Clarendon, Parma, Sweden an I Ham lin are still raging aud on the Increase, and others have started. Albion, Oct. u, 1871. rhenre near the cemetery is entirely extinguished. In iSoutli Barro and Barre Centre the fires aie still burning and have spread over about a thousand acres of woods. Reports say that the Carlton tiros are under control. The smoke has ail cleared awav during tne night. [From the T'lica Observer.] The smoky condition of the atmosphere about the city lor the pu.-t two or three days has attracted general attention. The sun. moon and stais have almost been eclipsed, and It seems as though we wee threatened with a general conilagiation. The woods on Kra .kfort Hills, in a southeasterly direction from tne city, have been burning lor the past three or four days. Last night a large number of persons watched tne fires in that direction, liiey resembled panoramic representations 01 illuminated castles, and presented a tcrr.bly beautilul appear ance. The woods west of New Vork Mills were lound to be burning, and lor a tune It was learod that Ihe flames would extend to tne village. Ail the oper atives 111 Walcott ti Campbell's employ went to work and succeeded in subduing me lire before much damage was done. The fires In the woods near ihe western portion of the village ol Oneida, wlnoh have been leierred to frequently In the Obteroer for the past two or three weeks, continue to burn. Yesterday more danger was tine. uen <1 than before. A little white after noon ihe glarai was gtveu, and all the fire compa nies anu a number or citizens went to the scene. They coTlld ui little goisl, as there was no water iO be obtained lu ihe vicinity. About two hundred colds of wood, valued at |700, owned ny a Mr. Daniels, were destroyed. Fences and everything combustible lor hall a mile arouud were burned. If flic "nparaiieP-d drouth which has prevailed so r^n. Keports reach us that the wooded country along the Toua wanda Creek is now being devastated by a flame 1 wnieh Is as yet in its Infancy, but threatens great destruction to property and great suffering, if no! checked. Already the lire has reached a point three or four mlies above Kaplds Bridge, aud burned, atnoug other woods, about ieri acres ol the best, timber on Ihe farm or I). A V an Valkeuburg. The Are is yet confined 10 the south side of 1 ho creek, but the inhabitants are opening their eyes to the situation. We only irnst. that a wet blanket may drop from the skies liefore our peop:e are called upon for "help lor the Tonawandacroek sufferers." ESCAPE FROM SIBO 8150 PRISON, Availing themselves of a favorable opportunity for renaming their liberty, two convicts, whose names iinve not transpired, succeeded in making tneir escape from Sing Ming Prison yesterdsv. The fugitives took with ihem a horse owned by s. r.. Tompkins, one 01 the contractors at the prison. A strong guard was sent in pursuit, but up to a late hour last evening the escaping convicts had not I been recaptured. MTI3GAL INSURANCE COBVESflOB. Serrnth Daj'S l*roect*diuKH? A Vole ?n lb# Kate of Taxation- On<< and a H*lf Per Cfnf Decided Upon. This Couveutiou resumed the consideration of tiie rate of taxation yesterday, and it will l?e seen below that they arrived, Just berore the session adjourned, nt an agreod rate. Several of the delegate* spoke in favor and against the resolution. Mr. Uiiebsk, in summing up the discussion and replying ou beliali or t.ie motion, said that the dis cussion nail railed to touch upon the negative of the proposition that the ainonnt invested in Insur ance should be subjected to taxes just as well as any other enterprise. All other property now pays by way or taxation from two to flve per cent. The committee on this question had shown their disposition to deal leniently with Insur ance companies by fixing the rate at two per cent. With relerence to lapsed policies It was objected that those suould be subject to taxation, out a man who began to build a house and did not flntsb li had no right to claim exemption of taxation ou the ma terial he used on the ground that he did not finish it. By what he thought an Injudicious, a corrupt and shameful legislation, millions of dollars belong ing to the people of the West and the Sou' li were brought to New York, invested here and taxed there; much of that money was spent in the palaces In Broadway, and wiiicu palaces were subject to the taxation or Tainmanv. The recommendation of the committee was not adopted. The following motion was made by Mr. Harvey, of Illinois:? That It it the *on*e of thm fonrcntlon tlint It It impolitic to omeii taxea upon the premium receipt* of insurance compa nies. On a voting by Htatea it was lost. The following was moved by Mr. Ai.frience: That the Convention do recommend to the Legislature* of the different state* the Imposition of a tax of one per cent on ttic grout receipt* of (ire ami marine insurance companies ?ud endowment policies of life companies, ami the exemp tion front taxation of all life policies iasueJ on tne lire* of huiband* and father* for the oenellf of women an i children. This motion was also lost. The principle of tho desirability of taxation was adopted, after considerable coufasion lu voting, In which the amouut of percentage was left blank. It was ultimately, after considerable voting, de cided to adopt ouo and a half per cent as the rate or taxation. Mr. Noyes, of New Haven, Invited, b.v telegram, the Convention to be present a. the laying or the roundatlon stone ot an insurance building at New Haven. It was unanimously decided to accent Mr. Noves' invitation, and Saturday was named as a convenient day. ihe Convention adjonrned until this morning, when there will be a discussion on the mortality table and the rate or Interest. SUSPENSION OF THE LAMAR IN3URANCE COMPANY. Lom by (lie Chicago I'irc fireater Than the Full Amela? SiarUholilpri l.one All? Itctlcence ol the Oflicero? lias a Itecelver Bern Appnintt-df The Insuranse troubles are not yet ended, and threaten to drag their slow length alonir until, ulti mately. perchance, an actual panic will be the re sult. Tiie Lamar Insurance Companv Is the latest added to the list of those which the Chicago con flagration has compelled to suspend. It is said that the officers of the company wore MISLED BY THE MBACRE ACCOUNTS sent them by their agents. Thev announced a rew days ago that they could meet their losses, hut on instituting further and moro explicit investigations have learned quite a different story. The company has l?een sixteen years in busi ness, and each year has paid two dividends to the stockholders. The capital was fsoo.ooo, and tho surplus (5.550. The losses in Chicago exceed both capital ami surplus. The officers yesterday were very reticent 111 stating the ai>ove facts, and dis claimed any power to be moro explicit. When the i 'resi lent was asked If A RECEIVER had been appointed he evaded the question and said, "The business will probably be wound up rinht here among ourselves." Subsequently tho reporter was informed that a receiver had been appointed, and t liar said receiver was Mr. Isaac It. St. John, the President. It Is not yet Known 011 whose ap plication or by what Court the appointment was made. BKOOKLfN AFFAIRS. The ltft'orm Ldbel^,. Mayor Kalbflelsch indignantly Jeluuw (?e aTser tion made totbe eilect |lc g auctioned the party eogageil In iireulatlug false circulars aettiug form U** r 'the debt, of tUe city is $35,000,000. Application was made lor a permit to locate la the City Hall, uuU there distribute Clio false paper. He assert* that he 01(1 not. endorse the circular, and had no pan cither lu its compilation or issue. roli<-emen Punished. The Commissioners of Police are determined upon teaching indiscreet patrolmen their duty, aud act ing upon this principle (hey yesterday lined several delinquent*, oiilcer Michael Pendergast, of I lie Third prccinct, m company with patrolmen John Maioncy. Edward Shields, Michael Carritv Ui James Looney. were charged with vist'lna a liquor store, corner of Iioeruni aud Bergeu streets, on .sun day, the 8th Inst., and falling to arrest the proprie tor. who had violated thj Excise law, Pendergast and Oarrttv had a scuffle In Hie saloon, when one of I hem tired His revolver. These iwo men Were justly Hue I ten days' pay each, aud the other o.llcers se.cn days' each. The ltridi;e IHwnter. Word was received at the Coroner's olllce yester day morning that Ilcnry Doberty had died duriug the night at the Cltv Hospital. The deceased, who wus twenty-eight years of age and a native of Ohio, was one or the victims of the terrible aocldent at the East Kiver Bridge tower on Monday afternoon, lie was standing upon the trcssel work, along which runs the car used to transport the heavy granite stone blocks, on the outer coge or the tower, wnen the enormous stone came crushing down through the platform, tossing hnn on. He fell from the height of forty leet. and w&? hurt Interuady, be sides having several bones broken. The other wounded men are pro* ressing favorably. Mealb of tliB Keeper of ilie Penitentiary. Much regret was caused in Brooklyn yesterday upon the announcement or the death of Johu Cun ningham, Keeper of the Klugs County Penitentiary. The deceaaed, wtio was about sixty years or age, was born lu Canada, and came to Brooklyn nearly forty years ago. He passed a lifetime, It may be sain, lii the I'lre Department or that city, with which he was connected ror tnirty-uve years, serving in all the varied capacities? as private, Assistant Engineer aud finer. The latter position he was three tunes elected to In succession, under tiie volunteer system, serving six years as Chief. When the paid depart ment was organized he was created Chief, and fblcd that office until the fall ol 1?70, when he was ap pointed by the Board of Kuptfiuon tO the position of trust wntcli he occupied at the time of his death Keeper of the Penitentiary. Two v ears ago he ran for Sheriff upou the democratic ticket, and was beaten by Toney Walter, republican, by a very small majority. Mr. Cuunlmrhitm was a lifelong democrat ami as a flrouiau had lew, ir imb ed any, equals aud no superiors. Neuralgia of tue hem Is said to have been tue cause or death. He leaves a large family. The I4er-??ene Dciiiom Slill hi Work. Another victim has l?een Added to the already painfully elongated death roll or those who have sacrificed I heir lives at the shrine of vlilanous kero sene oil in Brooklyn. It Is true the gas companies are extortionate in their charges ror Illumination, but the evil Is mo len t ol the iwo. Ileuer be fleeced pecuniarily than burnt to death. The latest case in point is a sad one. On Tuesday evening Ml?s Fanny K. Chambers, sixteen years 0f age, a very charm ing voting lady, was engaged in arranging her hair in iront or a mirror m net sleeping apartment, on the upper floor of the residence of Tier parents, No. Mo l>ean street, when she attempted to use a smaller glass, in order to obtain a view oi the back part of her head. In the act of turn ng to do so she nnrertunately tipped over a kerosene oil lamp, which stood upon Hie bureau, in rrontof the looking glass. The oil, falling on her clothes, set tticin on Ore, and, losing nil presence of mind, she left hor room and ran down stairs to her mother, who tore oir her outer wrappings and extinguished the flames. Medical aid was immediately summoned aud all that wu? pos-loic under ine circumstances was done lo save tue life ol the poor girl, but to no "urnose. Mie expired shot riy lieforc midnight. CorSiUr JoTIP" I*'" 1,01,1 011 "l'iuest over the body. tjfai* Wlr> KAVAL I,nT.OLiJOENOE, >u*nl Orilers?AlTlvnl of (be ^learner Frank- j tin at lltiHnx. Washington, D. C\. Oct. 26. 1871. Passed Assistant Paymaster Slatnnt has been ordered as naval storekeeper at Key West. LicutenautJ. A. Miller li detached from the Moln can and placed on waiting orders. The Navy Department has received the tollowlng The United Autet KranKiin arrival for cow. Bhe encountered ??r? itroug heaa wind* ill lb? an ?l ^ler.l j?>? ii ihe ?imI. Shall ?run M uOMllllt. K' A' *)iliiD commanding 1'Lilt l staici ?tcam?lup rranatin. The VVubnab tieiiia? Mratly for Men. PORTiMOrrtt, N, II., Oct. W"' The I'nited states tug speedwell, of ihis navy yard, took tno aauors tr om mo t inted states steamer Wyoming to Charleston this '"J! tne l ulled states steamer Wnbash. ine officer* 1 tue wabasli are reporting hero to-day. RUSSIA'S RimSEGTATTO The Emperor Anxioui for liding* of Hid Sou? A Russian Prince as a Master of Mtuic in Town? Movements of the American Fleet. Tlio Russian fleet in null ploughing t lie "ocean wave," far beyond the vision of ti e keen eyes that for the past week havo been stralued towards the east. Each day's delay appears to Increase the ex cltcmeut. Some people have indulged In specula ttous, averring that an accident must have hap pened, aud that consequently the fleet may be de tained for an indefinite period. It would seeui that the czar of Russia Is among the list of the anxious, for on Tuesday he telegraphed to the Russian Min ister here asking If any tldlniis hail oeen received or the fleet and the young Nicholas, and the answer to the despatch stated simply that the Prince was "hourly expected." The landing of the Reception Committee, alter t he l'rlnce has been safely placed on shore at the Bat tery, will take place at the root of Thirteenth street, instead of at Fourteenth atreet, as previously stated, the latter placo not being very well adapted tor such a purpose. Here, as before published, o nimbuses will convey them to tlio stand which has already been erected on Union square. The stand is ror the exclusive use of the gentlemen and ladles lrom the Mary Powell. Everything is now ready from the flrst to tue last Items oa the programme; from the printing of the tickets to the badges to be worn by the various com mittees, the flags to be used atui all connected witli the reception. It is understood tb.it Prince Galltzen, who Is now in town wim the Princess, will give a series of Rus sian concerts in honor ol' the Grand Duke. The Prince Is renowned for his musical talent aud the excellence or his compositions, and should he under take these amusements there is little doubt that they will be of an elaborate and rechercM character. Apropos to tins question, the Russian Minister has intimated that Alexis is not only passionately de voted to the diviue art, but he is also uu accoiu pilsnori musician and plays dcligiiuully on tue piano. Tue follo wing ts the latest announcement from committee headquarters: Offick of tiif. Kxkcctiv* CouMtrrtx fok tiiei Hr.CFI'l ION OF 11. I. 11. URA.ND DDKS At.FXlU. No. 247 Kboahway, Nkw Yop.K, Oct. 36, 1871. It is especially to be desired that upon the occasion of th? Uudui.'ol tin 'imperial Highness the Grand Duke Alexis, in A merlon, the demonstiailons of welcome be gen eral and Imposing as possible. It Is, therefore, respectfully requested tbiit tue t!?i;i ot nil buildings uloiig tnu route of tbo procession do displayed that tho trout* the housea b? draped" with burning The commanders of the vessels iu the harbor are cordially lnviieii to lend their aid to render the oiled more brilliant by a general dressing of tbelr ships with signals. It Is, how ever, hopod thin tli* whole city will present a gala appear nnoe, and the Invitation to decoration is exunded to alL It is announced thai the grand "land at Uulon square la for tbe exclusive use ol tho gentlemen of the hxeccilve and ttecep tion Commit toe, Invited cuests and thetr ladies and raembsra oi "the press having tickets. rickets for the Mary Poweii are for the iiay reception, the grand suud and tho excursion to West Point, when the Uratid IMike returns from W a-h.n^lon. (Jentiemen are consequt oily re KON. The fog which hung over Uie bay me whole o? Tuesday cuttsed u sharp watch to be kept on the reception fleet. Towards nightiall It lilted, aud a fresh breeze troin east-no rt least was in its trail. Still no Russians iu night, and old y iiicondng vessels are not considered a good sign aui >ng the elderly men of the sea. J HUSKY'S KIYSmtY EXPLOUIll). Tbo t oil him no ItwuZ'. ul Cnn bo nit- Arid (jus Vermel. Touching the death 01 Murv Fuilmanu, the young girl wno was round dead iu her tatner's House unt morning la-,t week under circumstances of an ex ceedingly mysterious ami suspicious character, au Inquest was held yesterday i?j Coroner chase, ol Newark, and a jury of leading liloomllelders, m follows:? David Oakes, Keubcn N. Dodd, Leonard Lewis, Edmund 11. Uavey, William col lax, John C. l'itt, Nathaniel 11. Baldwin, Warren S. Bala win. Horace I'lersun. Thomas C. Dodd, Charles V. Ward and buiiih K. Perry. owiujt to the harsh and cruel character of the deal girl's father toward deceased and her mother the townsfolk worked themselves up Into a high state or ex citement, aud u was declared that Fullmann wiu the canse ol his daughter's death and of her inoth-r's illness, bo excited were a number of citizens eveu yesterday that fears were entertained lor the salety 01 the suspected party. A lung array ol witnesses were sw>,rn and carefully examined. The testi tuouy of the leading ones. Including mat ot the three physicians concerned In tiie case, went strongly to snow that deaih was the lesuii ol arcl dent rattier than design. It wassnowu that dr. Full man was not the kindest hearted man In the world, but it was not shown that he had commuted any act of a criminal nature. THE VERDICT. After an exhaustive research of the facts, the Jury about luiif-past four o'clock rendered the loliowtiig verdict:? That Mary Fullmaun came to her death at Bloom ileld. on tne lstn day ol Octobcr, 1S71, Iroui inhaling carnoulc acid uas, which was produced from burn ing coal in a stove, the dralt In said stove Having been closed by Bridget Fullmann, her mother, iictore retiring, the said stove being in a small, lignr room in widen said Mary Fuilmauu and Bridget Fullmann ere sleeping. THE WLS1FIELD VICTIMS. ?S til'den Krpniia*, hi IIpIIcviik ll*it|iilnl, I Ins Slill IiiikN In HiiikI Ioi* Hi -lril.il! ion to I be .*uN??rrrft by Ibr lixpli nloii. on Friday, lite 21st instant, the IIkkai.d Man led over to Warden Thomas N. Brennan, or Heilevue Hospital, the sum of $234 m, being the amount ol contributions forwarded to this oiilco for distribution amoug the saiTerers by the Westtield explosion. Allbough there have been many incidents since that unhappy occurrence to attract the attention ol the New York public, aud many demands mado upon them lor pecuniary aid, yet there are some kind-hearted citizens wno continued to the last to provide binds tii order to alleviate the suilerbigs eg those who were unfortunate enough to be numbered with the victims on that fatal Sunday a.ternoou. While Chicago was burning and everybody sympa thized with tne sutlerers. Warden Brennan did not lose f itftit or the westneid sufferers, but wasongaged In distributing, as lar as lie could, the means placed ut his disposal. As jet, however, there have not been many applicants for the last sums handod over by us, and In order t u.it those Interested may be no nied, the lollowing letter irotu the Warden is given tielow:? Bici.i.vvut Hospital, Oct. *5, 1871. To Tim Emtot: oi run Hrrald:? I have a* yet only live applicant* for the relief which ymit paper ?o kinilty collcc ea fur thole win were unfortunately Injured tiy the eip'ojion on board the WetUlcld. I am aura there in a mr^e number (some o! whom were Inmate* of this InmttmloD who are wcttny of thla charity if they were only acquainted wan the fact that I have received the amount to distribute among them. Can roll a?il?t me In notifying tuein anil itreiuly oblige Very truly yours, llIOMAH S. BRENNAN, Warden. MURDER IN NEW JERSEY, Terrible Hesnlt of n Quarrel About deveitj'? Ave ruts. Port Morrl#, a mining district of Morris county, N. J., was the scene recently of a tragic occurrence. A carpenter, named Lewis u Waidron, gives the following version:? I was at work ni the house Where the trouble took place. men. I wo men went in, named ''"?f J" t uere had been some dispute about aevent n ve cuits. which Had been paid overnight, Murray got a quar of whisKey and came out, fo'lowt'i y ^'Ybreat in?.!iero: sh^lVSrVW ne did nof bnng bici tho whiskey; ills mother. Mrs. nl^rln.^ef'tne jdoprVetor oi the 'wni'ltey .ten, who stepped iip to and shot lilrain Dean tester, a man about tlilitr years old, an American, who always bore a goal reiiiitatioii; ne then turned aud tired a John Burns, wno caught ttis arm and evaded mo charge: Foster lived some thirty minutes, and called io Milium (iriii'ier. the murderer, and "aid, "You've snot me." (H inder, the alleged murdeier. was arrested and lodged lu the Morris county Jail, as was also the lad rihkertou. T.ie murderer's weapon was also se t ured. Patrick Moualian. late a driver on one of th? Broadway llow or stages, fell from ids seat to Iho pavement on .Saturday last, and was run over by a passing omnibus of the Madison ftventiJ line. Moiia lian was taken to Boilevuo Hospital, nud subse quently died from the Injuries received. Coroner llernuan was nottfled.