Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1883-08-20
DYNAMITE DANGERS.
A Warning Note as to the Work
ings Of the PIotters.
INTERNAL MACHINES EVERYWHERE.
What a Canadian Secret Service Agent
Knows-Dark and Deyilsh Plots
Being ConcOcted Along
the Lake.

BUFFALO, y. Y, August l9.-In an inter-
view to-day with reporter secret agent
Of the Canadian government shed the fol-
lowing light on the alleged plots Of the
Irish dynamiters:
The Canadian government has certain
knowledge that the dynamite plotters have
a rendezvous in Buffalo, and are only wait
ing for an opportunity TO do their work.
We know to a certainty that there are
now internal machines stored here in this
city. These machines are made in New
York and are secretly brought here. Not
many days ago party left Buffalo for Chi
cago, carrying explosive machipes With
him. Our men tracked him to Chicago,
and learned the method in which the con-
spirators propose to do
Their Work of Destruction.
They have little difficulty in finding men
who, for consideration, will undertake TO
drop one of these machines into the canal.
This could easily be done from the stern
OF any craft passing through. They went
TO Chicago as bind, thinking that by
coming down the lake from there they
could escape detection. But We not only
Learn ed their plan. but put all vessel cap.
tains on their guard An official OF the
Canadian government and representatives
of the secret service from Washington
communicated TO a Chicago newspaper the
situation they had found it aud its time
" publication
j. - Warning
to vessel captains. For the past few days
the striCtest watch has been maintained at
the canal. All crafts entering are stopped
and searched from stem 10 stern by the
customs officer at Port Claiborne. A simi-
lar inspection will be established in day
or so at Port Dalnousie on vessels going up
the lakes
What part in this plot is being carried
out here in Buffalo,
"Iou can readily see, replied the agent
that can hardly give you names or eX-
act localities. That would never do. But
| can tell you for certainty that ma.
chimes are received in this city by the plot
tiers and are now stored here waiting a
chance to he ushed. They are sent from
Buffalo to Chicago for this purpose. The
dynaniters hold frequent
secret Meetings
in this city. We know where they meet
ard WHO they are. For some months the
Dominion government has had special
agent in this city. lie is resident Of Buff
so, and his services for the Canadian gov
eminent is not known to anyone here.
Through him we are kept constantly posted
of the action OF the, Buffalo plotters. They
are very wary, / can assure you. They
meet sometimes in one place, sometimes
in another. When they encounter each
other on the street they give no sign OF
recognition. You would be surprised if
should tell you who some of them are"
Are the local leaders of the Land League
in sympathy with this work.
Some of the Land Lesguers are dyna.
miters and others are not. Many Of the
plotters here in Buffalo do not belong TO
the Land League at all. There are politi-
clans who are
In sympathy with the Movement
and stand ready to supply the funds
Many OF the ignorant men who are willing
to be used as the tools in this work are en-.
couraged by the argument that the Obstfuc.
ton of the Welland canal will be to the
benefit of Buffalo by diverting lake com
merce to this port.
"Do the Buffalo detectives help you in
this matter"
We don't go to them now. We tried it
a while ago, and learned that the pIotters
were informed through them Of what We
we're doing and the watch We were keeping.
Instead of helping us they put the plOtters
on their guard. OF course We can not seize
any machines here in Buffalo. We know
where they are, but have no authority TO
touch them. No, We get our Information
here through
a Secret Source,
but an entirely Trustworthy one.
Have you seen these machines? How
do they work.
Il had one in my bands not long ago and
examined it. 1t was little zinc case
about eight inches long. 1t IS made water
tight and filed with tie explosive and saw
dust. The explosive cap is regulated by
simple clock device. This can be
wound 20 as to explode the charge at the
time wished. Iou probably read, some
time ago. about p test that was msde st
OF Of these machines in the HUDSON river
II had an explosive force equal 10 three
thousand pounds OF guupowder. IL was
fastened 10 the stem Of barge which wa'
loaded with five hundred tons Of sand. 1ne
barge W, 5 literally
Blown io Nothing"
"Do YOU know of recent attempts having
be, n made on the Weiland canal
We know of attempts that would have
been made if we had not frustrated them.
On ly a few davs ago a woman left Chicago
fOr oregon on one OF the Oswego propel.
leIs. Sic was watched in Chicago, and
there was strong proof that she had ma
chine in her possession. She could easily
have carried il in a travelling bag. She
wss evidently alarmed by wha, Tas made
public, and abandoned her purpOse. She
may have gone to Chicago from BuiIalo-I
an not advised as to that"
What we wish especially to guard
against" continued the detective, lis a
great calamity and loss Of life. A break
in the canal, while it would seriously lm-
pede traffic, could be repaired. But think
of the consequences Of an explosion under
a propeller carrying two or three hundred
ps,sengers' The stTictest watch is nov
being kept all along the canal, and in Chi
cago and other places as we'll