The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1859-06-30

The Cleveland Herald contains an account of
singular attempt to blow up and destroy the splen-
did steamer City of Buffalo, at her mornings in the
harbor of that city by man named Cooley. This
steamer belongs to the Michigan Southern Railroad
Company, and with her still more magnificent con-
sort, the Western Metropolis has recently been
placed on the line between Buffalo and Toledo.
Mr.. E. B. Ward, who is running an opposition line
was approached by Cooley, who had been enga ged
a diver in blowing up the hulls of wrecked
vessels sunk under the water, with the suggestion
that it would be good thing to blow up the steam
of the Railroad, so as to have the Buffalo and
Cleveland trade to himself. Feigning acquies-
cence Ward made Cooley commit himself thor
oughly in ihe presence of concealed witnesses,
and also gave him money to expend in carry
ing out his nefarious designs, which he
did, and then had him arrested. Cooley protested
to have been employed in blowing bark called
the Grampns at Oswego, some eight years ago for
her owners in Detroit, to obtain the insurance.
The explosion blew hole in her side and she swung
round on the breakwater where she beat to pieces,
and was at the time supposed to have been driven
from her mornings by the wind and wrecked. The
internal machine with which Cooley had prepared to
accomplish his object is in the possession of the po-
lice ana is thus deScrlDed:
1t is a tin case, ten inches high and fourteen in
diameter, fiat at the bottom and top, and in shape
about two-thirds OF circle, having fiat side on
the other third. From the top of this case extends
an erect tube of tin, five feet in height On the
tube water-tight cap was to be screwed on, and
from this was to extend quick burning fuse, bound
around with Irvine and made waterproof. This
fuse was found in Rays house. The tube would
hold two pounds of fine powder, and the case itself
fifty pounds of course powder-enough to blow the
steamer to atoms. The plan of procedure was for
Cooley to proceed in his boat on Saturday night,
under pretence of fishing, to the Railroad pier
where all the Arrangements would be made. On
Sunday night he would again visit the place Sc
cretly, set fire to the fuse, which to extend
under the pier, and then escape before the ex-
posOn. -
Cooley is an old Jail bird. Some three or four
years since he and others were arrested for pass
ing counterfeit money, but he escaped by turning
States evidence. He is now again charged with
counterfeiting, and will stand chance for the Peni
tertiary that charge, if the law is defec-
tive in Furnishing for the conspiracy He is some
what over middle age.
| A negro man named Ray was also arrested as an
accomplish. ...-
Cooley remains in Jail, the authorities having
| "dead sure thing on him for counterfeiting. He
remains charged on the police docket also with
conspiracy in this Ray has been liberated, he
having done nothing to render him liable to pun
ishment in the case. The value of the steamer de-
signed to be blown up was S35O,000.
Yesterday was much the warmest day of the sea-
son as yet The Thermometer in our office marked
81 degrees. A pleasant breeze, however, prevailed
during the day, and at dark there was a slight
thunderstorm which agreeably cooled the atmo-
sphere for the night