The New York herald., 1875-12-16
tences," says the Weser Zetarg, lin all
earnestness and with authority"


It is now shown that the number OF
victims by the explosion is much larger than
at first reported.
The killed and wounded now number no.
rnoMAssENs ANrEcEDENTs-AN AMERIcAE-A
FORTUNE MADE BY BLOCKADE RUNNISG-EM-
BARRAssEp BY sPEcULATIoNs-A SUSPICIOUS
LETTER TO HIS BANKER-ANoTHER ATTEMPT
ON HIS LIFE
BREMEN, Dec. Is, 1875.
1t is reported from Dresden that William
X Thomassen, who attempted to commit sui
eide after the Mosel disaster, has made full
confession of the dynamite affair.
H1s ANTEcEDENTs.
Thomassen was born in New York. He
married New Orleans lady, by whom he has
four children, the youngest being quite
baby. During the war, from 1862 to 1865.
he lived in Virginia He was engaged in
running the blockade, by which he became
wealthy.
Since the year 1866 he has resided in
Bremen and in LEIPZIG, and lately at Streh-
len, near Dresden.
EMBARRASSED Bx LOSSES
He appears to have lost his money in
speculations lately and being embarrassed
went twice to America during last summer
The last time he went without telling his
family where he was going, somewhat to
their CONSERVATION and surprise.
PROMISES TO PAY
When he returned here he wrote to his
bankers stating that he had made arrange
ments enabling him to pay certain claims in
December the present month.
HELD IN ESTEEM.
He was held in high esteem by the Ameri-
can colony here.
SEARCHING HIS HOUSE,
His house has been searched again, but
nothing was discovered having reference to
the terrible schemes to which he has con-
fessed.
ATTEMPTS SUICIDE AGAIN.
Last night he again attempted suicide by
tearing off the dressings placed over the pis-
toll shot wounds, but was prevented by his
attendants.
THE woULD-BE ASSASSIN NAMED THoMAssEN-
HIS coNFEssIoN-soME OF THE PACKING
MATERIAL OF THE MACHINE FOUND IN HIS
HOUSE.
BREMEN, Dec 15-Nght
Il is now ascertained that the passenger who owned
the OF dynamite which exploded at Bremerhaven
is named Thomasscn, and not Thomas, has been
given heretofore
CONFESSION.
He has confessed to the authorities that he con-
struced the chest which exploded and arranged
clockwork attachment to the explosion after
certain time had elapsed He occupied for fort
night in filing the chest and worked in coach house
in one of the most frequented parts OF Bremen.
FRESH EVIDENCE AGAINST HIM.
The police have examined the house alluded TO and
found OF the packing material, but explosives
of any kind.
AN INFERNAL MACHINE ON BOARD THE VAN
CONSPIRACY OF INSURANCE sPEcULAToRs IN
1856-pETEcTIoN, ARREST AND CONVICTION.
To EDITOR THE HERALD:-
The origin OF the story that the case OF dynamite
which lately exploded with such fearful effects at
Bremerhaven intended to explode on board tho
steamship Mosel at sea- for purpose not explained,
doubt be traced to an attempt to burn when
OF sol disant silks board the Wander
bit steamship ARIEL, sailing in 1856, from the
port of Bremerhaven. Captain Ludlow, who then
manded the ARIEL, received, as he passed the light
house his way to sea, telegram from the agents.
Messrs Ruppel Son. saying simply, ''Stop the ship"
He intended paying attention to this quasi absurd
demand, but the representation of the European
agent of the line who happened to be board he did
stop the ship, and the two went to the lighthouse,
where they soon received the news nom the Bremen
agents that two declared silks of which tho
marks given, stored in the after hold and
and clockwork arrangements to set them OF rc when
the ship was at sea
On searching the found, and
described above. they sent TO Bremen, where
they served 10 convict she guilty parties, who
after found and arrested.
1t seems the mechanic employed to make the boxes
and clockwork became conscience stricken, and the
last moment 'peachedn on his employers who proved
to be father and son, whose motive was after nstng
these heavily Vienna and elsewhere to
the amount Of insurance.
The father committed suicide soon after arrest and
the son is now in prison In Bremen for life
The mechanic lives Staten Island
81 -
L'AMERIQUE.