Morning journal and courier., 1881-02-07
LOCAL NEWS.
Dangerous Freight.

Attempt by Unknown Parties to shir
 Two Barrels Containing Nitro-GIycer-
 inc Cartridges on 8 Bridgeport Steam-
 boat -sThe Explosives Seized by the
 Police and Removed to s.Black Tom,s''
 Island.
 From the New York Herald.I
 Two four barrels, marked ssWestbury, Conn.," were brought to the offices of the Bridgeport Steamboat company, on pier 35 East river, Saturday afternoon by truck man who desired to have them shipped. He was unable to give the names of the con- signee or state the contents of the barrels, and on that account the clerk refused to re- ceive them. After some parleying the truck man allowed the shipping clerk to examine them. Upon opening one of the barrels and after removing some shavings the cler to his surprise discovered that it was clerk then positively declined to ship the goods, saying that by law all steamboats were prohibited from carrying explosives, and threatened to inform the po- lice of the case. While he was looking for an officer the driver replaced the barrels on his truck and drove away. Some hours later licensed vendors wagon number 3474, in charge of boy, was driven to the same pier and the four barrels were again offered for shipment to Connecticut. The clerk imme- diately recognized them, and, knowing their contents, questioned the boy as to the person from whom he had obtained them. The lad replied that while driving along South street he was accosted by a man who asked him if he would convey two four barrels to the pier of the Bridgeport boats. He agreed to do the work, and placed the barrels, which were standing near by, in his wagon, and after re- ceiving his carriage fee drove down to the pier. He was astonished when appraised by the clerk that they contained nitro glycerine cartridges, as he had naturally supposed them to contain flour. Knowing, perhaps, that he had violated the law and fearing arrest the youth sprang from his seat and quickly dis appeared through side street.
 Patro1man Vail, of the steamboat squad, was then summoned and ordered to take charge of the wagon and it's explosive cargo. Uncertain as to what disposition should be made of the dangerous stuff the policeman drove to police headquarters to ask advice. When his superiors learned the circumstances of the case they instructed him to re- move the abandoned nitro -glycerine, as the the law provides. to Firemen's Hall in Mercer street. Chief Stray, upon examination, found that the cartridges were of cylindrical form and were charged with sufficient explosives, if properly arrang- ed, to have blown up nearly the entire city. He ordered the immediate removal of the bar rels to the battery and cautioned those en- gagged in conveying them there to be extreme ly careful. A dispatch was also sent to Cap tain Farrel, of the freboat Havemeyer, in structing him to take the barrels to Black Tom Island in the bay. Upon the arrival of the barrels Captain Farrel had them carefully placed on board the Havemeyer, and at 8 late hour last night they were safely deposited on the island. The police have taken the case in hands and detectives were detailed to hunt for the boy in the hope of obtaining descrip- tion of the mysterious stranger who had em- ployed him.