New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1879-07-21
EXPLOSION ON THE DANIEL DREW
A VILLANOUS DEED.
A PASSENGER EXPLoDES TWO CANS or POWDER

A flLLANUUS DEED.
PASSENGER EXPLoDEs TWO CANS or POWDER
NO ONE DANGEROUSLY WOUNDED.
Troy, n. Y, July 20.-A great explosion
occurred on board the steamboat Daniel Drew Friday
night at about l1:30, while she was on her way from
New-York to this city. Happily one was seriously
injured. The Drew left her dock in New-YOrk City,
having nearly GOO passengers among whom the
Hon. Thurlow Weed, Police Commissioner Erhardt anda
number of other prominent people. Nothing unusual
occurred until Newburg had been passed, and nearly
all the passengers had retired for the night At 113O
O'Clock there loud report, distinctly heard all over
the boat The sound OF falling glass followed and the
afrghted passengers Jumped out OF the stateroOms to
find the main saloon full Of smoke The excite
ment prevailed. Men, women and children in all
directions, yelling and crying and putting ne-pre.
Acry OF "Fre" raised, which only added to
the confusion. The smoke quickly cleared away and It
being learned that the vessel was in
danger, complete order promptly restored Captain
Roc immediately began TO care for the persons
who injured and ascertain If possible the cause
OF the explosion. Gong into stateroOm No 2lS por-
ton Of Tin canister found wedged into the remain
ing wood work, and In one corner found the box
wnen in the possession Of the prisoner when
he board. On opening the latter pieces OF
fuse were found one OF which bad been recently cut
Three staterOoms completely demolished by the
force the explosion and the glass In the main saloon
aud four sacrOOms the opposite side OF the hall
cient 10 throw several persons heic berths Mr.
Barnes journal clerk Of the last Assembly and his wife
occupied room 90 and blown out of bed sustaining
bruises. The feet OF a gentleman from Jersey
City occupied No % cut ia terrible manner
by broken glass. In 216 man, his wf3
and child. They were thrown against the door with
much force The lady went INFO commissions aud the
child into spasms and for time it was feared both
would die. Many other persons were slightly injured.
On inquiry among the deck-hands 1t was ascertaned
that among the persons who took passage at NcwYok
WAS q pac-iaced man, Of strange appearance He was
about five feet ght inches high SHINY built. had whs'
kers and nustache. and partly bald. He was seen
10 90 on board about o'clock carrying mysterious
looking hoy twelve bv nine inches under hs
and one his coat pockets was loaded down WIN news
papers. StaterOOm No 24s 1d been red by telegraph
Dy Campbell, bur the ohcefs or the ooat 40 not
know whence the dispatch came. Campbell did not ap
peat so this person took possession OF No. 24o the
waiter Brown placing the box In that room.
soon AFTER the explosion Captain Roe found the person
thus indicated He entered into conyeIsaOn with him,
penn When me boat reached Albany Evans gwen
Into the custody OF the police, The prisoner was ar
i.ued before Justice Clute charge OF arson and
disOrierly conduct. lie pleaded not guilty. aud cross
examined he witnesses he declned to give his rght
name without cOnsultl S'cOuhsei' ana h"tc SeheiM
denial Of the charge Captain R0- CAaftS Nafley tue
deck-haud and Caleb ]. Brown, the walter gave tner
testimony in accordance with the facts rccited above
The prisoner told Justice Clute that he came from ESton
Tuesday and ON Ms arrival AT Now-i ORR stopped
for two DAYS private bOdrdn--nOusc aud let the
metropolis intending 10 20 10 Saratoga IN Searcn OF work
| lie said he was Frencbman and walter oy 0ccupa
lou having worked recently AT swans hotel In EasOl
Penn and having been employed also al on-inahng
ny Mr. Whitesell ana Mr.; Read OF me same place is
declared that he had baggage when he went ABOARD
! the Drew, having left II az EaStOn.
Nota " persons believe that the prisoner IS insane an
ms acts tend CITIZEN the sUppOson Ihe general
theory However, that he l. an aceomphce of gang
of thieves WHO intended during the pane which II WAS
naturally expected would follow the explosion, To TOD
the passengers This theory Is not weakened Wheh II Is
known thar Barney Aaron and several OF his associates
were among the passengers. 1.-THE plan had succeeded
the thieves would have made large haul as there were
man, persons board who had valuable Jewelry ana
considerable money with them
Justice Clntc decided to commit the prisoner FOR trial
and MS ease was down for Tues lay next at 10
o'clock CAPTAIN Roe estimates that the damage 10 the
boat can be paired for about $500 AS usual III cases
OF panic there udicrOus incidents. one OF the
most laugaable the appearance OF tall man at.
tired Ia a night shirt and three fe preseryers and
CARRYING his Clothes satchel and umbrella in his hands