The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1876-01-11
THOM A S SEN.
WAS HIS REAL NAME ALEXANDER !
Interesting Incidents Of His Life-HOw lie
Saved a Detectives Life.
His Pretended Connection with the Owner of the
Havana Steamship Line.

sons Sixty bodies have been found aud recognized
forty persons missing, doubtless killed. and
twenty eight bodies not identified among which are
probably some of those missing.
rHB NUMBER WOUNDED,
according to Official statements to 1fy many
OF whom, having died since then counted among the
dead Several have already left the hospital partially
recovered 1t will be difficult ever TO form a correct
estimate OF those injured and deprived OF life.
AUTHOR
of this atrocous massacre has departed this world
without giving TO any expressions OF repentance
for his crime Only hours before his death he
GREETED his 'sbad luck. :"
REAL NAME AND LIFE HISTORY
From his papers and researches made it seems the
deceased murderers real was William King Alex
ander. According TO the assertions of German news.
papers he is connected with New YORK house. the
principal OF which is OF line Of steamers run
ming between New York and Havana. But this can
not be stated for certainty. Even his wife, whom he
married eleven years. had idea OF his char
acter the murderous plans he had been ebncoctng
for months-even years The by Which she
knew him was william King Thomas. Great sympathy
is everywhere expressed for the wife and her four little
children. The hopes OF the authorities TO discover
some trace OF accomplices have not been realized.
II appears he have devised and executed the deed
alone. The detective TO Southampton, under plea
of taking Of the insured property
information relative TO abettors has also failed his
endeavors.
DETAILS
have however, transpired respecting the life OF Alex
ander alias Thomas during his long stay in Germany.
The Of his orune-squan dered by profuse waste
funess-seems 10 have been laid some ten years ago.
during the American war; by transporting cargo OF
weapons from Bermuda TO Charleston in exchange for
cotton thereby making gain OF SIS 000 These profits
he doubled and trpled by specializing in stocks and
gold or further transactions than these which he
himself repeatedly related, nothing is known.
EXCITING HIS RECENT cRnR.
From the small balance in his favor found At his
bankers in London it may be plainly conceived that
his principal motive in accomplishing the crime was
the acquisition Of money. All persons who ever
had any knowledge OF Alexander describe him to have
been exceedingly amable man. He was of short
sioutly built figure with friendly jovial face and
gave the impression OF solid, good circums
and good natured fellow. After having lived for some
time Leipsic where he mixed with the best society
and formed an intimate friendship with tho American
Consul, he moved to
LINZ IN AUSTRIA
Here he resided in furnished apartments, received
many visitors and gave splendid dinners and suppers
10 which all persons OF note in the comparatively small
provincial town were invited HIS wife, attractive,
elegant woman then mother OF three charming chill
dren, enjoyed the greatest esteem.
In 1865 he moved, for the first time, to Dresden.
always under the pseudonyme OF Thomas, which, It
seems, he adopted IN Germany. All circles oil "good
society," were Immediately opened to the rich, agree
able American and his beautiful wife Indeed Il was
the question OF introducing him even at court Al
brilliant entertainments, where champagne flowed in
streams officers and people OF distinction were guests
OF Mr.. and Mrs Thomas.
He also elected Vice President OF the celebrated
AMERICAN CLUB
In Dresden of the best OF its kind
the Continent, and his wife was frequent and appre
cated visitor IN all fancy shops Mr. Joseph Meyer,
the proprietor fthe Petit Bazaar will certay retain
long remembrance OF her. for she has perpetuated
self in his books for no less a sum than S, AGO
GENEROSITY.
In these happy times no masgave second thought
to money, many traits OF especial generosity are
related Of him. For instance he provided TO an
American lady living in Dresden for the establishment
OF an educational Institution which, although now in
other hands, still hourishes He must, however now
have perceived that his income would suffice for
such style OF llving and removing TO Leipsic
formed the plan Of conducting more moderate estab
lishment
HIS CONCEPTION OF THE PLOT
From the time when Thomas remarked that his reve-
nues the decline 10 have dated the dia
bolcal conception. The numerous journeys then
undertaken by him were apparently for the object OF
efectng the construction OF his Internal apparatus
Somewhere about July Thomas returned to Dresden,
and it was conspicuous 10 his acquaintance that his
manner had become shy mysterious and disquleL
Some weeks aterward he wrote to the banker Mobert
Tnode, to whom he indebted, that he had made
arrangements which would enable him in December 10
hquidate his debt
or THE YRIGHrFuL NATURE
OF these arrangements we shudderinely testify
l. HIS LIKENESS
Since yesterday mask has been displayed OF
for which purpose Herr Castan, the proprietor,
Bremen. He accomplished taking mask Immediately
alter the death OF the criminal The likeness Is said TO
be extraordinary. From the mask It is easy perceive
how Alexander alias Thomas shot himself in the head,
the ball remaining nxed under the left eye The face
OF Thomas, bearing prominent English physognomy,
is olera0ly large The features betray nothing ndca-
tive Of such deep vlllany-they express
mildness, marked with great energy. and the high
rounded forehead betokens intelligence. The face IS
surrounded by reddish fair beard aud the spare HAIR
on the head is of the same color According to what
learned Bremen Thomas
owing 10 compunctions OF conscience arising
from his shocking tragedy, but from other difficulties
A GERMAN POLICEMAN IN COMPANY WITH coNsPR-
police constable In Bremerhaven having received
notice that a criminal against whom warrant out
would perhaps endeavor to escape by the Mosel was
so struck with the resemblance OF Thomas TO the de-
scrption given him that he considered IL his duty
request Thomas, who was standing on deck, 10 show
him his passport, &c
In answer to some questions put to him Thomas re-
inalSh
The police agent, however insisting upon seeing his
papers, Thomas begged him TO descend 10 the cabin,
and showed him wnat he wanted
EXPLOSION
AT the moment the barrel with dynamite stand
ing the wharf exploded The constable and Thomas
Immediately left the apartment see what had hap
pened A dreadful spectacle presented itself,
which demonstrated 10 Thomas that his iniquty had
come 100 soon TO pass Both wished TO hurry 10 the
town, but were unable TO land Of the bridge
being torn away BY the explosion
Thomas now took advantage Of this moment 10 re-
pair 70 the cabin and
SHOOT HlMsELF IN
Tho policeman Immediately announced the occurrence
and the closed door was broken open. Thus the
described by the said policeman who in concu-
sion, remarked that he indirectly owed his life TO
Thomas for case he bad found no likeness In the
miserable wretch TO the description given OF the deln
quent he was IN search of be would have renamed
the harbor I'll the departure Of the Mosel and proba.
bly, lost has lie IN the explosion
LEGISLATIVE PROBATION.
The unparalleled act OF wickedness consummated in
Bremerhayen will presumably prove a stimulus 70
further revision OF the penal code this session. especial
y as 10 turns out no sufficient precautions taken
for the prevention Of such crimes as that Just perpe-
traed According TO the present prescription Thomas
could scarcely have been condemned to death, the
highest punishment being the most fifteen years
penal servude. Humanity Is justly indignant at such
mildness OF the penal laws Attention has been equally
drawn 70 the circumstance thai adequate provision
is made for disasters occasoned by carelessness in the
transport Of dynamite and other explosive mounds
the effects OF which a. the constitution OF the laws
unEu