The Columbia Democrat. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1837-1850, 1849-05-26
From the New York Express, May 5.
Most Extraordinary Case.

A most Infamous attempt was made yesterday
to destroy the lives OF rhos. Warner, Esq, and
his family, that has ever been known In this city.
The means adopted was by what is lamlliarly
knowuin the Old World by the name or an "n.
erna machine 1t appears that on Thursday
night between and 10 o'clock, during Mr.. War.
ner's absence from The city box was lett at the
door Of HE house, 10 City Hall Place, having on
it, written in bold business like hand, though
evidently, disguised, "Thomas Warner. Esq, IS
City Hall Placc--coufdcntial." Mr. w did not
return until Yesterday, aud when he went home
was told Of the box having been left there, aud ii
lorm9d the subject Of conversation at dinner, and
while the family were engaged eating their din.
ner, the box was brought down into the base
men', and Mr.. w found that it was wrapped up
in newspaper of March 26, lS4g. Mr. Warner
had previously gwen directions 10 his son to open
the box and see hat it contained. but his sus.
pecIons being excited, he proceeded to do it him.
self, and slowly drew the sliding lid about half
way when he saw a blue and yellow fame arise
from it, and with the utmost presence of mind,
he quickly called to his wife and son to leave the
room, and ran out himself immediately after
wards an explosion took place which shook the
whole building, and the report was heard 4 long
distance from the house. Returning to the
room he found that the explosion had partly
blown down the PARTITION wall, shattered one Of
the doors into pieces, and partly broken another
door. The lower sash0s of both windows were
entirely blown out, and tho glass broken into
small fragments, and the crockery on the table
broken into pieces. One of the pictures han.
ging up in the room, appears to have been per.
foraed by two balls. The fragments Of the box
show that II was made Of mahogany, about half
an inch thick with sliding cover.
The City Reporter Of the Globe, adds the tol.
lowing par'cnars:-
The box was delivered to the servant girl,
about 10 o'clock on Thursday evening, and, in the
absence Of her husband Mrs. Warner, with the
curiosity natural to her sex, attempted to open il;
but piece # twme, which hindered the lid
from opening, deferred her, and it was only on
The dinner.table Of the family, in the basement
Of the building, that Mr. Warner first saw the
vil!4nin ous affair! This occurred ABOUT o'clock
Friday afternoon, aud it is alone owing TO his
presence Of mind, in warning his family on the
instant, Of the terrible danger that awaited them,
they were enabled to escape unhurt The face
OF the rascal VINO left it was painted black, and
he evidently intended to disguise himself SO that
he could not b. easily identified, which he has
unfortunately been enabled most efFectullly 10
do Mr. Warner offers reward Of 500 dollars
for 'hs arrest and canvlction Of the william, and
wa think the CITY authorities should increase the
sum 10 athousand The box was evidently fah-
ricated for the purpose TO which It has been ap.
nled and everything in relation TO It bctokens
the moat nuprlncipled and hcartless scounIrel.
ism There "a> nr sand paper on the lid, but a
coating of glue, M the inside was charged with
4 quantity Of sharp grit, which operating on the
faces %. some half a DOZEN buuches Of locolocc
matches most ,onulsfeIy fired this Internal Ma.
chine. cou muolcaun! with sv ronisDers n Haz.
ard, hr.t RI" p,wi,r the box beng oihr,wist
a.!ed With s.ugs aul balls.