Delaware tribune. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1867-1877, 1875-12-23
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TIE HO1RIBLg PLOT TO DKsfRor rhH MosKL-
THoMAssEN FULLY ooHYesaKs HIS QUILT.
New YoRK, Dec 49,


TEE HoRRiBLE PLOT TO DESTROY rAR MosEL-
THoMAssEN FULLY oonYRsaRs HIs QUILT.
New YoRK, Dec. 16.
Aspecial dispatch by cable. to the New York
Herald says that ThomAssen, the man who had
engaged passage 10 Southampton by the
steamer kosel and the owner Of tie case Of dy.
Mantle which caused the terrible disaster 1t Bre-
merhaven. has confessed that he intended to de-
stroy the vessel when in mid-ocean.
Tho Weser Zeifung, Of Bremen, says, authori-
tatvely, that 1t is now proved beyond . doubt
that the author Of the catastrophe was the pas
senger Thomaasen. He has acknowledged most
unhostatingly that he was the owner of the
barrel which exploded on the wharf when tho
Aosel was about TO start for the United States,
and that he intended placing it on board the
steamer for the
PuRPosE OF DESTROYING HEB
some days after she should loave Southampton.
The motive for tho diabolical scheme appears
to have been to procure exaggerated and hcti-
uous insurance on cargo, aud to share the pro-
ut afterward with others whose names have not
yet transpirod.
Thomassen Ia quite conscious and answers all
questions put TO him. He preteods not to mo-
tioe the enormitv Of his offence. He listens 1t.
tentively to ell said to him on the subject, and
answers the questions apparently without re-
serve.
Medical men have been baAily engaged since
Monday endeavoEing to extract the bullet from
Thomassen's head. but 70 far all their efforts
have been unsuccessful.
According ~ tie information now In the
PsssEssloN OF TEE noILoE AaENTs,
the barrel prepared for the shameful work was
specially constructed Of the strongest material
by Bremen cooper, 'snd divided into several
parta or compartments. Another barrel. having
= large hole In one of the divisions, has been
discovered. This, 1t is presumed, 10 the barrel
in which the apparatus for igniting the dynA-
land was to have carried the hellish machine
but 1t was not ready at the time she left, and
hence itA transfer to the Mosei.
1t now appears that the number Of victims by
tho explosion is much larger than at first report
ed. The killed and wounded now number TO-
ANTHcEDENTs OF THE CRIMINAL.
Thomassen was born in New York. He mar
ried New Orleans woman. During the war,
from 1868 to 1865, he lived in virginiA. He was
engaged in running the blockade, by which he
became wealthy. Since the year 1886 he has re-
sided in Leipsic, and lately At strehled, near
Dresden.
He appears to have lost his money in speculA-
tions 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 sur
prise. When he returned here he wrote to his
bankers stating that he had made arrangements
enabling him TO pay certain claims in December
the present month.
His house has been searched again, but moth
ing was discovered having reference to the ter
ribIe schemes to which he has confessed.
Last night he again attempted suicide by tear.
wounds, but was prevented by his attendants.
NAMES OF THE AccohpLIcEs REVEALED.
| There IL no change, to day, in the condition
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