The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1850-05-31

THE INVESTIGATION OF THE ''ToRPEDo box
CHARGE MADE AGAINST oEE-EYED THOMPSON
Before Judge Osborn.


At 10 O'Clock, yesterday morning, the proceedings
relative to the investigation now pending against VIM
IL Thompson, known as one-Eyed Thompson on the
charge Of manufacturing and sending torpedo box"
TO the residence of Mr.. Warner, continued. The
court room was attended by number of persons
anxious to catch glimpse OF that universal genius,
called OneEyed Thompson The prisoner, as usual.
very cool and cole eed taking his seat by the side
Of counsel as on the former day The following Is the
evidence taken up to the time of adjournment
Jesse Patterson being sworn, says-I one of the
policemen attached to the Chiefs Office recollect
the Circumstance Of torpedo box3 exploding at Mr
Warmers house; have heard MIR. Thompson speak
Of the construction of the box and other circum-
stances it after the of Mr. Drury; cannot
recoect the exact date the conversation took place
in front Of french's Hotel; saying to Mr. Thomp-
son-fpeaking to him about the construction of the
boxin my remarks to him, said there pound
of powder in the box and that in the canster he
Uhomrson) told me knew nothing about IL; he said
there pound canister and three pounds of loose
powder and also cotton and gun cotton and matches
also; that all that passed at that time that recol
ect, respecting the torpedo box;n had converse
talon prevons to this at the Chiefs Office the
Drury case; he did not say that the box made by
any other person; i recollect saying that Mr. Drury
could not have made the boz and he replied, no; I
don't think Thompson described the box me; had
the fragments OF the torpedo box the only
thing differed in about the amount Of powder in
the box
Cross. 4 amnation-A reward offered for the
ed $500. The Mayor has offered the like Mr..
Warner offered his reward the day OF the explosion
The reward offered several weeks before had the
conversation with Thompson cannot give the exact
words used in the conversations: Thompson did not
say that he had examined the box Thompson exs
pressed himself that d fool to say pound o.
powder because he knew cenain ned three pounds o.
loose powder, besides the canister wen cot
ton. The box, should say, was III inches by inches
and ~ high collected good deal OF burned cotton
about the room. The canister Of powder about 8
inches highs it must have been laid fat in the hex the
would contain OF
DER that is the three pounds placed in the box loose
This conversation with Thompson, and his knowledge
Of the contents Of the box struck very singular
The conversation afler his OF Light character;
/ thought the statements of Thompson were singular
and his knowledge that point, respecting tbs
tents Of the box because had collected the fragments
of the exploded box. and saw the canister its
mains; at this time did not think Thompson had
the box This conversation took place after the
arrest Of Drury. There many as four punches
Of matches; think picked up two punches tied to-
gether dipped in black scaling wax remarked that
Drury could not have made the box, because he had
but one arm. ! did not, at the time, make known
these facts to the public authorities from the appear
Of the box, should not think that it would
tain four pounds of powder; not able to say
what quantity Of loose powder the would contain
Charles BIRD being sworn says-I know the prisoner;
heard Of torpedo bcx having exploded at Mr.. War
ncr's house; the conversation had with Thompson
was in front OF the Topbs the conversation held
between Thompson and officer Joseph; Thompson said
he had been out Of the city business for DR. Moaat;
charge Of making the box and discharged he fur
Their stated that be did nake the torpedo boxn and
III
had made similar box, and put 1t into valisc which
he carried with him for the purpose Of blowing the
policemen who should arrest him. Well but said
J. you might be blown up yourself at the station
house when il exploded g Oh no." raid Thompson,
it would only knock down two or three men, aud
would get out Of the way" l remarked, Z" always
thought you pretty smart kind Of fellow, but
think you id fool to say SO, even II you did
did make the box in question: he then went
to stat< that he the inventor of this kind of box
Crosse toni not police officer at that
time was formerly; did not hear him say he could
ma e mn tn low his ~ all NOR he max
to blow up eight men, he stated that be had made
torpedo and carrying around in valise. in the Fifth
to blow them up; told him If he he
would not escape We hada little contention together
about the blow ing Of officers; told him Il
cording to what men he got hold Of Thompson's man
was in bragadocia way previous TO my speaking
70 him he was more serious than he was afterwards
Thompson afterwards tried to evade the nowleds
ments made. as went on to say that he could be
arrested the charge he evaded the question put to
him about carrying the box; the question put was.
"You say you carried this box; that's q curious acs
knowledsmentn Thompson replied that he knew
more than any other man about that box. but they
could get any evidence against hr to convict him.
other conversations took place and If had thought
would have been called as a Witness should have
t,ken II down. Q-Didoou state the trial Of Drury
that you did not believe Thompson made the box or
that he carried it, Al stated TO him that did not
believe him did not. at that time. enter any
plant 10 the public authorities against Thompson;
have been engaged for some time past indepen.
dent police; understood reward Of $500 offered
for the detection Of the maker of the torpedo box;
weuld not go across the street to get the reward.
eountenance. raid to Bird, How many such men as
you cen be bought for $40 each 20
Mr.. Bird replied in a very positive manner, you,
nor any other man, can buy memo thief buy me;
have heard Of your threats made the other side
the river" Excitement In court)
The magistrate here intcrposed. and stopped any
further remarks being made
William ID. Barber, being sworn. says-I know the
prisoner. W H. Thompson; was present in front OF
my once In Centre street time last summer and
heard something about torpedo bcx expressed by
Thompson who stated that he was the inventor Of
hat tn1r ~ Lny It'll.
hye or six persons sitting by the door, took but very
little part in the conversations took it to be idle talk
and paid but little attention to it,
Mr.. Bumstead. another witness, called but did
not appear Several other witnesses then called
but not appearing the magistrate stated that he should
adjourn the further examination until 10 O'Clock this
day.
Mr. emith for the defence rose and stated that it |
was great hardship to keep Mr Thorn pson confined
In prison during this prolonged examination when the
prosecution. TO this time had not shown any testi-
mony by which his client could possibly be held and
therefore. moved that he be discharged. is now
near two weeks Hr Thompscn had been detained, and
without evidence. legally, to bold him.
Hr Phillips the Assistant District Attorney. answer
cd ar Smith In reply and said that he had the
II several Witnesses. which had been handed to the
magistrate by Mr.. McKeon. who had been duly sub
"nsed ana further as 70 the evidence 10 be aidueed
be said IL the duty OF the District Attorney ona
charge OF IN offence like the one now under investgl
ion. 10 iuhp"na and examine any person who cosld |
give test mony and thereby exhibit TO the prosecution
ssy feet that would effect the guilt innocence OF
The ritontr, now under the charge Of manufacturing
or ending the torpsdo box TO Sir. Warmers house.
The magistrate remarked that the case was Que Of |
Importance end ter himself h- kncs but very little OF
The point In tie either for gaust the prisoner
and should coBrDc himself strictly the cTldence Of
ne witnessss a. brought before him in the Of
~. inVcstiggCo. Tho only time that had been lost.
10 bis knowledge was IN relation TO obtaining the wit
nesfos rom Carnndaigua. The magistrate thercupon
adjourned the further nvestis alton until ten o'clock
lis forenoon.
Ro5tea n, Pc,-ery Theatre -olcers stephens aud
hasuess arrested. yesterday. young woman by the
ZANE oi Ontharins EcClusky on charge OF stealing
pocketboCk containing SEQ $50 of which ia
20 Hills on the Midilctown Bank Pennsylvania and
balance In $50 bills on tle sane bank The wallet
strGotcd ircm the pantaloons pocket CT Mr. wilder
cOuntrymsn, from Pcnnsylyania There was also in
he pcck,tbook a promssory note for $500 10 seems
hat ider Nited the third tier 81 the Bowery rhea.
Ire on Nodns sfay night and Catharine the girl nov
.ccussd Of the robbery. In close proximity With
BIO pockets Soon aiters left him. and feeling for
biz pocket he discovered Il gone. aud on lookinr
"a the rirl tie had len the theatre wilder nov
-harg,s tnis sih with stealing The money The officers
und the Gil ~ No. III Orange street no money
curd ca her rCrfon when arrested. Justice Lothrop
ton Iaite4 her to prison tor further examination
.flrcsf y L.raic.-OniCer busk % the First ward !
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