Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1881-08-02

A Reporters Interview with q
Peoria Man.

bOhlA, ILL, august IA re p0r-
ter interviewed P. w. Grove, the gas
Oline lamp contractor here, who is
connected with the internal machine
matter. Rosa has always been at the
head OF the Fenian agitation here and
Grove is one Of the most desperate
agitators, He is man Of small
stature, dark, intellectual counte-
nance, and talked composedly as on
ordinary topics. Grove produces let
tiers from George Holgate, dated Phil
adelphia, August 81, 1880, setting
forth that Mr.. Halgate owned the
McClintock torpedo boat, which
did such terrible execution dur
ing the rebellion, and that he had
been conducting experiments with it
under water which caused McClintock
to lose his lie; that he had refused
from Spain for the boat.
He claimed that the boat would blow
up any vessel in the British feet and
could blockade any port regardless Of
all men.of-war in the world. It
would cost about $4,000 to build it
and he would place it at Groves dis
posal. He claimed that the boat
would do more good for Ireland and
fetch the British government to terms
quicker than half million Of men.
Mr.. Grove said shortly after the
Executive Committee of the United
Irishmen met in New York Judge
Brennan, of Iowa, Captain G.. Spier-
man, of New York, James Kene6e,
Of Providence, Thos. Il. Dryer, of
Chicago, O'Donovan Rosa and
himself were present. They discussed
Holgate's proposition and the scheme
Of devastating England's shores, but
on Groves representations they de-
cided it would be too expensive and
that they could do better work by
depositing torpedoes 10 the British
ships which could be done for $25
piece, aud which would bring Eng
land to terms by making it dangerous
for people to go aboard British vessels.
They decided to take that course some
time later The Uaited Irishmen and
friends Joined hands 10 order to exc
cute their plans. They were 5000
strong in the United States and Can.
ada. There wore branches in Toronto.
Quebec, Montreal aud nearly every
importan. oityin tho United States.
These internal machines are being
made III every city where there is
branch of the order, and will continue
to be made. They are working for
the good of the old sod, and they
we're no more liable than are the
makers of revolvers and cannon. Dy-
Mantle was no more vicious than
powder, and with these weapons they
could drive from the seas their enemy,
desiring her trade, and make a profit
able business impossible. Some PEG
pie would have to die, it would be
worse than Boycotting, but war was
always cruel, and the war was easiest
which went straighest to the mark,
killed the most in shortest time and
compelled nations to make peace.
The machines captured in England
we're made in Peoria. His answers
gave the reporter confidence Of the
truth Of statement. They were
of zinc interior in which the
clock-work and explosives were
packed. The clock-work operated
with a spring, and after six days run
ming it liberated hammer something
like a gun-trigger, which struck per-
cussion cap and ignited the charge,
The charge consists Of an ounce and q
half Of illuminate of silver and a
pound and a half of dynamite, and
would destroy the largest block of
buildings in the world, while the
thing weighed 45 pounds. Any war
fare was good enough for England,
who didn't conduct honorable warfare
hersel # and couldn't expect others to
do SC, ifshe didn't do justice to Ireland.
Every English ship would be sent to
the bottom, until people no longer
dared to embark in them. Every
government building would be torn.
down, and system of terrorism be-
gun. He claims that there are many
Of these dread machines already com
pleted some in France, in charge Of
trustworthy patriots, who would use
them quite freely. They had alresl2y
greatly worried the British, and had
destroyed the Manchester 2ostOfioe
and Victoria docks, causing a loss of
five million dollars. exploded machines
at Stafford and Glasgow, at London
and LivoSSoOl, and inflicted an aggre-
gate loss of fifty million pounds ster-
ing. Grove has an easy, dignifed
manner, and was in no way excited at.
his horrible recital He says the
manufacture Of machines still goes
forward here.
Weather Indications.
NJ acurncrcNy A,,o,,.k n