Tried To Burn The Town

TRIED TO BURN THE TOWN.

Four Incendiary Fires Started in Different Parts of Altoona, Pa.

Altoona, Pa., March 30.--An attempt was made early Tuesday morning to destroy Altoona, four incendiary fires being kindled in different parts of the city between the hours of 11 and 1:30 o'clock. Prompt work by the fire department alone saved the town from possible destruction. The entire loss, however, as not more than $60,000. The fires were evidently incendiary as they started in widely separated sections of the town and in each case among buildings of a dangerously inflammable character.

The first fire was discovered in a stable in the Third ward at 11:20 Monday night and was quickly extinguished with but slight damage. At 12:15 a.m. another alarm was turned in from the First ward in the workshop of W.F. Yeatts. The blaze was extinguished with but a slight loss. While the firemen were returning to their stations they were called to the Fifth ward. There the large lumber storage sheds of M. Poets were ablaze and after a fierce fight the flames were subdued. The storage warehouse of Armour & Co. was damaged to the extent of $1,000, while Poets' loss was about $1,500.

At 1:30 the fourth alarm was turned in from the large planing mill of William Stokes. Before the firemen arrived the mill was doomed and all efforts were directed to saving adjoining sheds, lumber piles, and nearby residences. The mill was totally destroyed. Loss, $50,000; insurance, $10,000. No clew has been discovered as to the firebugs.