Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1859-06-27
DiabOIienl Conspiracy TO Blow up the Steam
er CITY of Buffalo!
ARREST OF THE CHIEF OONsPIR
seizure Of bis Torped do ~!

AOAN
seizure of his Torpedo -!
Last Saturday afternoon, an individual by the
name of James Cooley, was arrested for attempting
to blow up by means of torpedo, the Steamer
City of Buffalo, now running between this city and
Buffalo, in connection with the Western Metropo-
oils. The offence for which he was arreste ], ex.
ceeds, for villainy and wckedness, anything that
has ever occurred in the annals Of crime on our
Lakes.
The circumstances of this case are these. About
two weeks ago, Capt. E. B. Ward, owner of the ri.
val line of steamers running between here and Buf
falo the Sea Bird and Arctic, while standing on the
Dock, was approached by Cooley, who opened the
conversation, by saying "tbat the City Of Buffalo
aud Western Metropolis were running his (Ward's)
boats severely. Don't you think so Captainl"-
The Captain replied by saying, that there was Sc.
we're competition between the two rival lines, but
that he did not expect to get through this world
without having some opposition.
"Don't you think it would be good idea to make
way with that line, Captainl"
"How do you mean. Buy up the boatsl"
"No. Blow one of them out Of water, and thus
cripple the line, and compel them to withdraw the
other. I'll do the job for you, if you will pay me
WE'LL"
Capt Ward, supposed at first that the man was
merely trifling with him, but, scanning his fca-
lures, he began to mistrust that there were some
grounds for suspicion. He continued the conver-
sation with him, for the purpose of leading him on
and ascertaining his plans for blowing up ships
With this object he invited Cooley to go with him
to his state-room and finish the interview. The
Captain pretended that he favored the idea, saying
"that the boats were not of much account, but hi
did not wish to destroy lives; he had an insur
mountable objection to being engaged in any oper
alton that might endanger lives"
"Cooley replied by remarking that understoO,
his business. That he had blown up ships befOr'
without taking lives"
BY this time the Captain became entirely con
, WINGED that the fellow was really in earnest. Il
, excused himself by saying that he was very bus
just then and invited Cooley to meet him again tina
afternoon; that he thoughtvery highly Of the ide
of doing away with one of the boats Of the othe
line.
He Immediately sent for Marshal Craw VIII
came down soon. The Captain related his adven
ture with Cooley, saying that 1t might be that
was not in earnest, yet he was satisfied that be WI
; a dangerous fellow.
e Craw, with his usual promptness, requested Il
;, Captain to continue his negotiations with Cool'
f aud ascertain his plans and who his coniederat
10 were, and then report to him aud he would lay
ID trap il necessary to arrest Cooley and any COME
n crates he might have. Accordingly Captain Wa
met Cooley agroeaby 10 appointment in his stat
room. He had previously requested the chief ma
Of the boat to ensconce himself under the bed,
as to overhear the conversation.
The Captain opened the conversation again wi
Cooley, by saying that he was fearful he mig
destroy lives. Cooley replied by saying, "that
= understood his business and that there was no dc
ger"
He then went on to detail his plan It was
he ascertain the exact locality of the position of
no CITY of Buffalo at her dock in the river to sou
the water and find out about what part the engi
" would be located Then he would take the tori
a do he would construct for that purpose into
boat, aud sail out into the Lake and apparently
i4 engaged IN fishing; then paddle his way back II
the harbor and go over the ground and drop
sh torpedo into the water, so as to have It under
ye engine, when the boat should be moored at
,s- dock. Afler dropping the internal machine il
-. the water, he would paddle under the dock,
he fasten the end Of his fuse, which was to DO abb
err 25 or 80 feet long to q Spite He would then p
lar dle out and 60 about bis business, and wait till
ins CitV Of Buffalo should come in on Sunday,
in lie at her dock.
Sunday evening was the time TO be set for tou
am ing of the fuse, when he would be out as usl
IS ashipg in bis boat When it became nearly da
;. he would row under the dock, ind the fuse,
We ply Ere 10 It, aud then get out Of the way he
be inc ten minutes to make good his retreat,
nae he length Of the fuse requiring that amount Of &
sold 10 burn it up. He calculated that the eGploi
Loo would knock hole twenty feet square IN
e Of bottom Of the boat and thus sink her immedia
am am and iniuring her beyond repairs. ID.
eve Aner Cooley had given his plan thus in full
dies tails. Captain Ward told him 10 go ahead
ish 6s make his preparations Tor blowing up the boa
from that he accepted bis offer and requested hin
'iGs meet him the next morning At 10 o'clock whe
.Sa would close up the bargain
ss Of In the meanwhile he saw Marshal CraW and
oi sSo, lated tohm a he had got out Of Cooley, and
Sns quested him to 60 to the state room where he
i by 70 meet Cooley the next morning, conceal
Isls self under the bed, and listen to the eonversa
4 Zee which CraW did.
wv The next morning At the time SCI, the pa
over met again 10 the State room. The Captain
aalsu rn, auired Of Cooley how be getting along
fdii' bis preparations He replied VERY finely
had purchased small quantity Of fine powd'
Life different places to avoid suspicion; and also
ogae gal sent to Cuyahoga Falls for two kegs Of bla
99n'ii powder. He furthermore stated that he had
S-oE5 qaged DutchmRn on Garden street TO make
ihila- can for the torpedo, and that he Would be
WITH VIII in few days He also said he had coniede
Wan. DonIatto bv tbename of William Ray, who v