The Portland daily press., 1883-04-06
THE DYNAMITE PLAN.
Important Arrests by the English
Police.
An Irish American with 100 Pounds Of
Explosives.
Seizure of q Dynamite Factory in
Birmingham.


newspaper called the City Press yesterday eve
ming announced that 1t had received letter
without signature In which tho writer threat
ened to blow up the Government office. The
affair was referred TO the police, and late last
night English detectives, assisted by the Irish
secret service, arrested man who had guam
tity Of stuti supposed TO be dynamite. The
detectives had followed the prisoner from
Manchester, as he appeared suspicious, and
when the letter appeared he was at once ar
rested. The army officials at Woolwich are
now engaged IN u chemical examination OF the
explosive compound found upon him. The
police regard the arrest as q most important
one. Precautionary measures have been re-
newed, special attention being given TO the
protf ction Of the buildings Ia which are offices
OF the ministry and OF all public officials. Ex
ira sentinels have been posted at Windsor
Castle where the Queen ls, and about the post
office. Policemen and detectives are watching
every corner whore dynamite fends or incer-
diaries could possibly be expected to work.
birmingham despatch says the apparatus
for preparing and mixing the explosive COM
pounds in the nitro glyeerine factory discovered
to-day was constructed on principles and with
all the cunning craft, which showed its inven-
tor 70 be not only thorough scholar in chem
stry and machinery, but also an adept IN ex-
pedients for avoiding notoriety and preventing
discovery, Among noteworthy features OF the
place was a'shrewdly devised method for car
rying fumes up the chimney and consuming
odors. II is learned that the premises la Led
sam street We're taken two months ago by
man named Whitehead, an Irish American,
who had sign hung In front OF the place in-
dicating that his business was that OF paper
hauger Whitehead himself was taken into
custody when the police made descent on the
den. A considerable quantity OF nitro glyce-
rine was seized Information in the hands OF
the detectives tends 20 demonstrate that this
place is central mandatory OF explosives
aud most important deport OF all the Internal
contrivances in the kingdom. Whitehead,
who Is described IS about 20 years OF age dark
In complexioa and with marked American
accent has been In the habit of purchasing
supplies OF gly eerine aud acids which were
necessary TO run the business
Whitehead's examination this afternoon at
Birmingham developed nothing startling.
The Irish police in Londtn have made two
further arrests in the suburb Of Lambreth IN
connection with the man arrested last night.
The latter is now said TO be an American.
Nearly half a ton Of nitro glycefine has been
seized in London already.
More precautions are being taken at Windsor
Castle.
1t is hinted that the whole conspiracy in Eng-
land and in America will be exposed.
There was renewed excitement in Govern
ment circles this afternoon because of report
which comes from Newry, ireland, where are
situated large Governments infantry barracks,
that sentinel standing guard over the powder
magazine last night challenged man scaling
the wall. The sentry fired and gave the alarm.
search Tor the intruder was fruitless, but the
guard was doubled and an order issued to take
every precautien to prevent surprise.
LONDON, April 5--It is learned tonight that
the man first arrested last night near Fleet
street had engaged rooms on South street, COR
ner OF the Strand, giving the name Of 0ffnand
and stating that be was medical student.
Subsequently he said his correct name was
Norman. His first inquiry for rooms was made
BY an elderly man. The box OF explosives was
taken 70 Nerman's lodgings By a person who
looked more like tramp or street laborer
than the porter or friend Of a medical student.
II is believed that both this individual and the
elderly man have been identified in the persons
OF the two men arrested at Lambeth to-day.
One Of these men had in his pockets aud sewed
up ia his clothing large sum Of money, a por-
tion Of which was reported as being in Amerl-
can c9iuS. 1t Is significant feature Of the ar
rests that street rEInof made free use of an
American name aud connected many Irish
Americans wisa the plots Ono OF the Lam
bstb prisoners had secured lodgings in the
name CT Wilson. Ills movements, however,
excited so much suspicion that.he left hts rooni
yesterday, saying that il was his intention 70
80 20 Woiverhampton. When be returned at
neon to-day he found five detectives awaiting
him. Norman undoubtedly came direct from
Birmingham. The place where he was stop
ping was Jaat over the office where Is printed
the Court Circular. The proprietor Of that
sheet recently received letters containing dire
threats, the origin Of which he has now no
L
arrest Of the day was that Of Henry Dalton,
Who was taken into custody Tonight He came
from the United States two weeks ago He
was found 81 the rooms Of the American Ex-
change and made no resistance when informed
Of the errand OF the officers. Dalton was con-
fined Ia the Jail nc Scotland Yard.
There was a sensation IN the Commons when
these arrests we're announced Sir William
Hafcoust, Home Secretary, in brief speech
outlining the facts, confirmed what had up 10
this time been merely rnmor that Norman
had heen put under arrest. He added that 150
pounds Of highly explosive liquid had been
found in Norman's quarter, and that Ii was
stored IN skilfuily devised rubber bags. He
also confirmed the discovery OF q dynsmite
mandatory at Birmingham, and gave the
particulars OF the affair substantially as related
IA these dispatches, and that part OF tn emoney
on one of these men was In American bank
notes. That there was o connection between
the arrest aud the discovery at Birming-
ham and those in London is shown TO be a fact
BY an incident which mas just come TO light
The Home Secretary during the afternoon
sent despatch to Birmingham asking the au-
thorlties to remand Whitehead for week
The same action will be taken here under the
same directions In the case OF Norman. The
magistrate at Bow street waited until late In
the afternoon for Instructions ia regard 10
Norman and his Two Lambeth accomplices.
tiuaily receiving a telegram from the Home
secretary announcing that no formal charge
would be brought against the three prisoners
to-day They were accordingly remanded.
BIRMTHGHAM, April 5.--In accordance with
the request Of ths home Office Whitehead was
remauded for one week. The charges placed
against his name on the record book Is that OF
having ia his possession explosive compounds
and materials IN violation OF the law.