Sioux City register. [volume] (Sioux City, Iowa) 1858-1871, 1863-03-21
sTARrLINa DEVELOP NTs.

Ill. 1t was directed to Mr.. Whipple, OF
that city. AS he was absent from town
when the box arrived, it remained in the
express Office for two weeks unno,iced and
unopened. Mr.. Whipple returned to Chi
cago, and suspected that something was
wrong about this box, which was abou.
fifteen inches long, fourteen wide and ten
high, developed in thick wrapping paper,
tied with q cord, while on its from, side
was board three.quarters of an inch
thick, covering the key hole and fastened
by "a screw in each corner.
Between Mr.. Whipple, to whom the box
was addressed, and Nehemiah Hodge, Of
North Adams. feeling of enmi,y had for
long time existed. Mr. Hodge is the
inventor and patenee Of railroad brake,
which is in general use Throughout the
country. He has several suits pending
against corporations and individuals for
alleged inlhngemehts on big paten. and
improper yee Of bis brake. Rafpple was
for several years connected with Hodge in
the ownership Of this invention, but this
connection was severed short time ago,
and Whipp!e's interest was transferred to
several railroad companies. Hodge be.
cane greatly incensed, and is said tc have
made threats 10 the effect that he would
bring the powers u hell to bear against
Whipq,e."
The mysterious box having been placed
in tie custody Of the person TO whom i,
was addressed, c. P. raQley-chier OF 20.
lice Of Chicaso whose reputation os
detective is na.ional-was consulted. lie
took the case in hand, and proceeded to q
Reconnaissance Of the box. He became
satisfied that it continued an Internal ma
chine. In order to open it, he effected an
ingenious mechanical arrangement The
box was placed between Lodges or rocks
wedge was inserted in the cover. and
t'ty.siS pound weight vas suspended over
1t, held BY rope over two hundred f,ct
long. Chief Bradley, at the safe end Of
the rope, gave strong pull weight
fell, the wedge did its duty, and the cover
was removed. Al envelope was then dis
covered IN front Of the key hole, conlainn,
the key TO the box. and description of
its con,ents-which were said to be new
inventions, requiring the utmost secresy
in their removal Still the box was upo.
opened. The mechanical device was re-
adjusted. Down came the weight, and as
It struck the box an explosion followed
that was heard for the distance Of many
miles. The box proved to have contained
about fifteen pounds Of powder On the
inside Of the cover spiral spring had
been so arranged as to release hammer
and strike percussion cap at the momeLt
the box was opened. There was no pos
sioility of q failure in the murderous en-
CINE if an attempt was made TO open it in
the usual mnnner. Death was certainty
to every person in the vicinity of his ter
r:Dle machine.
10 discover the person who had sent
this box on its would be.errand of destruc,
ton, was the task of Chief Bradley. TO
it he devoted the energies of himself and
his corps Of assistants About two weeks
ago he came to this city, and consulted
with detectives Walter l.. Kipp and Lem.
uet Hurlbut, whose co operation was Sc
cured in the important investigation. Chief
Bradley procured all the evidence ,ha, he
could obtain, and returned to Chicago,
whereupon the United States Grand Jury
found bills Of indictment against Nehe.
miah Hodge, Of North Adams, for con.
splracy and assault, with inten, to COMM.
murder
A few days ago officer Vanderwerken
and Dodge, Of Chief Bradeys staff, came
to this city With requsition from the
Governor Of Illinois upon the Governo.
of Massachusetts for The surrender of The .
party who had been indicted Yesterday
morning these officers, with officer Kipp, |
OF this city, proceeded to North Adams.
About noon they proceeded with officer J.
Z. Robinson TO the office of Mr.. Hodge, !
and informed him Of their errnnd. He
received the startling announcement. with
ca'mness, and made no attempt to escape
or resist.
OF course terrible exctemcn. was
produced in North Adams, where Mr.
Hodge has resided for many years. Ills
friends called upon him to offer words Of
cheer He is a man of Gne presence,
great Intelligence and courteous demean.
or. We should be 10th to record the facts
above written, but for the finding of
grand jury and the statements Of the
officers. The prisoner, in charge of off.
GERS Vanderwe.ken and Dodge, started Tor
Chicago at noon today. His trial will
take place at the next term Of the United
States Circui. Court-when this terrible