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

The Cleveland Herald contains an account of a
singular attempt to blow up and destroy the SPLEEN
did steamer City of Buffalo, at her moorings 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
ers of the Railroad, as to have the Buffalo and
Cleveland trade to himself Feigning acques-
cence Ward made Cooley commit himself thor
oughly in the 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 professed
to have been employed in blowing bark called
the Grampus 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 and is thus described:
1t is tin case, ten inches high and fourteen in
diameter, fat at the bottom and top, and in shape
about tw thirds of a circle, having fiat side on
the other third. From the top of this extends
an erect tube of tin, five feet in height. On the
tube a water-tight cap was to be screwed on and
from this to extend aquick 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 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 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 was to extend
under the pier, and then escape before the ex-
plosion.
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 witt
countereitng, and will stand chance for the Peni
Tertiary on that charge, even if the law is defec
tive in Furnishing for the conspiracy. He is some
what middle age. t-
A negro man named Ray was also arrested as al
accomplish.
Cooley remains in Jail, the authorities having
"dead sure thing" on him for counterfeting. II
remains charged on the police docket also witt
conspiracy in this case Ray has been liberated, h
having done nothing to render him liable to pun
shment in the case. The value of the steamer de
signed to be blown up S350,000.
Yesterday was much the warmest day of the sea
son as yet. The Thermometer in our office marke
50 degrees. pleasant breeze, however, prevaile
during the day, and at dark there was Sigh
thunderstorm which agreeably cooled the atmo