The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1882-05-01
INTERNAL MACHINES.
A Diabolical Attempt to Blow Up
Vanderbilt, Cyrus w. Field
and Others.
THE MACHINES EXPLODE
WHILE EN- ROUTE TO THEIR
DESTINATIONS.
Narrow Escape Of Post Office Off
cials-No Clue to the Villains.

New YORK, April 29.-A dastardiy attempt
was made today ON the lives OF VIM. ID. yam
derbilt and Cyrus W. Field, by sending them
explosives through the mails Fortunately the
dangerous character OF the packages was ais-
covered en- route to the post office station where
they were to be delivered to these gentlemen,
and a probable loss of life was prevented.
The circumstances of the case, as recited by
Postmaster Pearson, are as follows: Two mis-
sives came into the post office about 4.30 p m.
One was posted in the Office and the other was
brought in by collector few minutes after
ward. The last one was addressed to VIM. ID.
Vanderbilt, No. 459 Fifth Avenue, and the
first to Cyrus W. Field, Lexington Avenue and
23d street. The packets were placed IN mall
bag along with other mail matter, for uptown
districts. put in mail wagon and taken TO the
Third Avenue Elerated railroad station at the
head of Chatham street, and then deposited on
the front platform of one of the cars. The train
started up town, and before reaching 9Th street
an explosion was heard from the mail bag and
fire and smoke issued from 1t.
When the train stopped at the station the
burning bag was hastily transferred to the
platform as the railroad people were afraid to
transport it any farther on the train. 1t was
taken down stairs, placed in wagon and
taken to the post office station az 19tn streot
and Sd avenue. Superintendent Mosher, who
is in charge there, dispatched a messenger in
haste for Postmaster Pearson, and when that
official arrived the half burned mail and its
contents were examined. The package ad-
dressed to Cyrus W. Field was plunged into a
bucket of water for fear that it might also ex-
plode and when thoroughly soaked was exam
ined carefully. 1t proved to consist OF paste
board box covered with gaudy flowers and PIC
lures, and had small drawer in it from which
depended string, as is supposed, for the pur-
pose of drawingit open and causing an explos-
ion Inside of the box was found tin canister
containing about half pound OF powder and
a liquid believed to be some kind OF explosive,
but what it was none OF the ofhcials couid
say. 1t will be sent to chemist for analysis.
1t was Vanderbilt's package that exploded,
probably caused by the jolt OF the cars when
rounding the curve out of the Bowery into Sd
avenue, and but for which occurrence the
packages might have reached their destination
and exploded in the hands OF the parties to
whom they were sent. The contents OF the
mail bags were pretty well scorched -py the e1-
plosion.
The post office officials are making vigorous
efforts to trace the packages to the parties who
sent them, and no stone will be lett unturned,
Postmaster Pearson says, to hunt down the ruff
fans who are importing their nihilistic attempt
on lives of American citizens into this country.
The attempt upon Mr.. Fields life woul0
have proven abcrtive even il the missive had
reached his residence in this city, as Mr.: Field
is at his country residence at Irvington, having
gone there on Saturday morning to remain un-
til Monday. His wife and daughter are 1nval-
ids, the latter being extremely sick.
New YORK, April 30.-Early this morning
John A. Davenport visited the police head
quarters carrying with him package which
contained an internal machine similar to those
sent W. H. Vanderbilt and Cyrus W. Field,
yesterday, through the New York post office,
and was evidently prepared by same person. 1t
had been placed in his hallway last night and
exploded at 10 O'Clock, setting fire to the door
mat but doing no other damage. The inten-
tion was evidently to set fire 10 the house. The
machine was cigar box bound with wiresand
contained cotton which was set on fire by an
explosion of powder, being ignited by fuse.
There was but enough powder to shatter the
the explosion and on investigation found his
door mat in blaze. the box was probably in
tended for Superintendent Walling. the letter
"W" being written on it. He is living few
doors distant from Davenport. Detectives ara
endeayoring to discover the offenders