Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1882-07-21
PHILADELPHIA Record.

George Holgate Of this city, internal
machine manufacturer extraordinary to
the revolutionists of the earth, told a
Record reporter last evening that not only
was he the maker of the hellish cOntriv
ances designed by O'Donovan Rosa and
compatriots to blow England sky high,
but that at present he is in negotiation
with representatives of Arab BeY to
furnish torpedOes that will drive tunnels
through the British irOnclads and almost
start the Suez canal from its founda
tions.
The frequent discovery for two years
past in transatlantic steamers and on
English quays of clock work machines
charged with terrible explosives, has
kept John Bulls teeth chatter. 1t
will be recalled that in June, 1881, ten
clock work machines were sent from
Boston in a cargo of cement barrels. and
was captured in Liverpool on informa-
ton cabled from New York.
The keenest United States detectives
have never been able to place their hands
on the person who made the hellish
machines which left this country, and
now it appears. upon his own statement,
that George Holgate, of No. 1902 South
Juniper street, is the man.
ooh, yes" said he, last night seated
in his cosy parlor. 81 made few ma
chimes for the Irish. 1t was strictly
business matter, you know. 1t was cash
on delivery, and asked no questions.
made quite a number, say from ten to
forty: don't ask anything more definite
l burnt all my books and memoranda
about year ago, and have TO go by
memory entirely"
Mr. HOlgate was led by the reporter
over the whole ground of his transactions
with the Fenian leaders. He is a man
on the shady side of 40. sallow in com
plexion, of medium height and weight,
with gray eyes that look business, firm
ness and caution.
1.-TWO years ago or more, he resumed,
Sin conversation with prominent Irish
man of this city. he suggested that it
might be to my advantage to see O'DOnO-
van Rosa. My acquaintance knew that
| had made a business of the manufac-
ture of submarine explosives. Rosa
lived on West Market street, this city,
and | went to see him. Anything be
might want in my line l told him he
could have by coming to my price He
said | had better write to Patrick Grove,
of Peoria, Illinois. l sent the letter.
Some time after a New York man sent
for me- My Philadelphia friend went
over with me and introduced me.
The New Yorker said he was pre-
pared to hear from me. | told him that
If he wanted anything in the torpedo
line he had better deal with an expert
enced manufacturer than with a green
horn. At the outset told him | was an
Englishman; had learned gunsmithiDg
in Birmingham, came to this country in
1859. formed a partnership with James
r. McCliutock, who constructed tOrpe-
does for the Confederacy, and who was
instrumental in blowing up the gnnboats
Milwaukee and Housatonic, To cut it
short, we came to terms. AS he ordered
a machine | had the parts made at diff
ferent places in the city, and put the
affair together at home with screws and
pair of pliers. Then l carried it over
to New York, called at his office, got my
money, handed over the machine and
left for home
perhaps made twenty of these ma
chimes They all worked by clock-work,
and were Of the same pattern. The parts
were made of copper, zinc; iron and
brass. The machinery could be set so
that the explosion would occur in from
ten minutes to six hours. The striking
of cap would call out the latent agent
in the explosion, which might be gun
| powder, dynamite or nitro-glycerine, as
you please. Now, l did not furnish one
atom of explosive material. l simply
| sold a harmless box with little clock
work in it, That was all. 1t was none
| of my business If somebody should fill
| the box with nitro glycerine and the
| thing went off At the most, the ma
chine was to be used in warfare, and
modern use sanctions the torpedo, and
that's what the internal machine is, after
ALL"
who paid you for the machines?"
oh, that's my business. Nothing
would make me divulge it. l stand by
my bargains My dealing was with one
man. Every machine was given to him
personally, and he paid for it. The
terms? Well, l guess not. The trans
actions all occurred in the same room,
with no witnesses.
Legitimate business? Why, of c0ursei
An American citizens business was no.
body's business. Yes, 1 was spotted
while making the machines. For days a
man would sit on that freplug on the
corner, and when | would 90 out and
board a car he would follow. l men
toned this to the New York man, and he
exhibited such little concern that l at
once set it down that the shadower Was
Fenian spy"
Mr.. Holgate, in response to further in
quiries, said that his business was the
manufacture of submarine explosives.
at doesn't pay very well, however,
said he, with smile. land l have taken
to selling a fluid for the removal of scales
from boilers AS far as the clock work
business goes, however, l am at the old
stand. For several months Egyptian
agents, resident in New York, have been
in negotiation with me, but / almost fear
that there is nothing in it. l have fur
nished drawings, and await an answer.
AT present l have plans with almost
every nation. Chilli, Peru and Cuba have
been thinking over my propositions.