Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1883-04-13
BURGLAR ALARM
THE CAUSE OF SENSATION IN THE N
YORK PosToFFICE.

IhE CAOSE Ut SENoAIlON lN AhL INV
YORK PosToFFICE.
New YORK, April IA brief telegram
was sent through the Associated Pres
Tuesday in reference to an internal ma
chine being sent to Miss Gould, daught of
Jay Gould. The following ere the facts in
the case: Four or five cler ks at work in the
basement of the general postofic', at ten
minutes before s O'Clock on Monday evening,
were startled by an explosion on the table
about which they were standing. A number
OF newspapers and packages bad just been
sent down the chute from the floor above,
and email paper package, in which the e1-
plosion apparently occurred, wss hurled a
foot or two into the air. This was package
wrapped in brown paper, and put in a p,ste-
board box Addressed 10 "Miss Gould, care OF
Miss Comsiock, 81 West Fortieih street, New
York City," Miss Corlstock keeps a fash
ionabe school for girls at the place meu-
toned. Inside the box was found meta lc
instrument which had evidently caused the
explosion. The article appeared 10 have been
intended for use as burglar alarm or for
some similar purpose, having 3 screw al one
end, by which it might be inserted in door
or window frame, and spring arranged 90
as TO cause a sort OF hammer to fall with
considerable forcs when struck by an open
ing window or door. The poslofhce officials
thought that small fusilsLe cartridge had
been placed 30 as TO receive the blow OF the
hammer, aud that box of cartridges had
been put into the box to give additional
force to the discharge. Coming down the
chute with considerable force these car
ridges had exploded, esusing quite an ex-
element in the Office for time, the news
being reported officially 10 superior officers
until il reached Postmaster Pierson. TIE
II (ronl1 Dounlad ,uftk III.
ton Of an explosion in mail bag, some
time ago, Of an internal m schine, which had
been addressed TO w. H. Vanderbilt, was
sufficient to cause very exaggerated sc-
count of the discovery TO be msde current,
and distributor OF Wall street news sent
out a statement about it, and later denial
that J sy Gould had daughter at Miss Com
stocks scnool, was sent out on "tickers." A
great many people we're ready 10 believe the
story hat an Internal machine had been sent
10 daughter OF Jay Gould, and it Was soon
the gossip OF the uptown hotels and clubs
A li;tle investigation exploded the story
completely. Miss Coms.ock said that she
had heard the reports about the sup
| posed infernsl machine, and did not relish
| the attention which her quiet school was re.
ceiving. She explained that she had had a
| daughter Of Mr.. Gould for pupil in 1871
but not since then. She has boarding pu-
pill Of the name at the present time, Mis-
Fanny Gould, of Newark. Miss Gould tod
Miss Comstock that she had asked friend
to send her a burglar alarm. which ems
| wished 10 take to her home IN Newark, and
ne had promised TO do 30. She declined tc
| give the name of her friend, but said he wa
a young man. Tue supposed Internal ma
chine Hss The burglar alsrm-a trihiDg Bit
Of mechanism, simple and harmless enough
in itself-snd the young man, by foolishl'
sending it through The mail, not only vio
lated a postal law which forbids the seDdin;
Of explosive substances in that manner, bu
has also caused something Of sensation
among postofice clerks and police officers.