New-York tribune., 1885-01-18
PRICE THREE CENTS
GIANT POWDER IN NORWALK.
ATTEMPTING TO BLOW UP A HAT FACTORY.
HE STRIKING HArrERs INDIGNANTLY DIscLAIM
KNOWLEDGE OF THE OUTRAGE.

olhihtNt uATfEhS tNDiGNANtLf DkSSLAA
KNOWLEDGE OF THE OUTRAGE.
SOUTH N0RwALK, Conn.,. Jan. 17.-An explosion
occurred here last night which was heard in Stam-
ford, nine miles distant. The shock was felt in
every corner of the town. Tho report sounded like
the combined explosion of rot of cannon Houses
were shaken windows were ratified and bedsteads
were Jared. Those who had been asleep found
themselves sitting mp In bed without being able to
explain the cause The explosion happened
at 1855 p. III. Not more than
dozen people, exclusive Of those who were person
ally interested, knew anything of the details until
to-day. This was not owing to the lateness OF the
hour nor to the fact that storm of wind and rain
at its height when the explosion took place. but
to a feelingwhich was general that the safest thing
to do was to remain at home.
Large placards posted thr ,ughout the town
to-day. issued by Nelson Taylor, jr, the Mayor, on
the authority of the Town Council, offering re-
ward of $500 for the detection and final convic-
ton of the persons who caused or were accessoryto
the explosion which took place at Crofut g. Knapps
factory No. q on the night of the 10th, and which
involved considerable injury to private property
aud might have caused the destruction of human
life.
1t is asserted on behalf of the hat
manufacturers that this is the last of series
of acts of violence by the rowdy element among
the hatters who on strike. Three weeks ago
two hatters employed by Crofut a. Knapp, WILL
Jams and LucOs, were set upon by crowd OF men
and beaten in brutal manner Lucos has just re.
covered from his injuries. On Wednesday night,
last week, halter employed by Mr.. Solmans, aud
also by Crofut and Knapp, were Knocked down
with club and might have been killed had he not
drawn pistol and fired at his assaiants. In
neither case has the identity OF the rufiians been
established.
These outrages, however, are dwarfed by the at
tempt last night to blow up Crofut & Knapp's fac
tory No. q 1t was known that not less than twenty
men slept in the factory. No outside watch was
kent as the strikers are in the habit of patrOling
the streets and the manufacturers have been
careful not to come in cOuilict with them. The
factory is large brick building. 1t fronts on
Water-st The southern side oyerlooks Talles-st.
II stands only short distance from the oyster
docks and is in an unfrequented part OF the town.
On Friday night seventeen workmen slept on tho
second floor of the building. Howard Knapp and
John W. Scott slept cots in the office, which is
on the ground floor at the north end of the build
ing. When the explosion occurred the cots on
which Messrs. Knapp and Scott had slept "ere vlo-
lently shaken. The men up stairs thoughtthat the
floor had been lifted.
A bastv examination showed that an attempt had
been naue 10 DlO" up thV i"N'"'J "'N' e'-"-~
nowder. All that saved the building from fesiruc-
tion and the men in it from injury death was the
ignorance of the men who handled tine explosive.
A cartridge two and a-haf inches in damet er and
foot IN engt had been placed on the sill OF the WIN
dow at the southwest corner OF the factory. me VIII
dow gives light TO the Tip" room when cohtalnsa
number of sewing-machines, some tables and q
large safe. The sill was OF buestone ninS lnches
wide and four inches deep. The Sill was broken
into small pieces. The window frame was TORN ous
and shattered. The wainscot was blown out or
IL halo nd n
ali we're pulyerized. large piece of the capstone
was knocked Oft. The ceiling of the room looks as
il n company of rIfiemen and another OF artillery
he'd used II for target. The heavy IRON esSiug OF
the cartridge was torn and twisted. fieces oI ~
and of the stone sill were found across tne street,
The cartridge contained fcrty-six cubic inches Oh
Less than dozen outsiders were attracted to the
spot by the noise, but glancng llsnt1 were vis,pa
unon Mayor raylor AMI demanded protection. lie
was referred to Chief-of Police Pelham he latter
paced two special officers guard ut the factory.
The Mayor called at the factory this morning. Hls
reception by Crofat & Knapp, Alden salInons ana
other manufacturers. was OF warm natuie, on% 9
he held responsible for every dollar OK
damage done TO their property, lheugh
not pleased with his reception he called setin hi
to offer reward of $500 for the arrest aud conVic-
tion of the perpetrators of the outrage lie aso APP
pointed special police which increases tno iorco
h'SIr Mr. Knapp told the Mayor that he had been in
business here for twenty-five years; that tue NAT.
ting business had made the town. and ne noug1s 1a
hrealeyS and denied the protection owed by the
Authorities to the poorest citizen in the town.
Mr. SaImons was asked If he had any sagsssaonsS
70 make He said: " suggest nothing neihi.a
nrntertion and if don't get it will hold the city
Mayor Taylor said TO a TRIBUNE reporter:
am NOT surprised that the manufacturers ere ex.
cited am willing 10 do all in my powerto protect
them | did not look for an outbreak OF TINS Aiiiu.
do not think the strikers, as body. countenaiso
il. and know that many OF them are anA'ou' !" "i'
Tho Executive Committee Of the Fair Hatters
Association has offered reward OF SzuV a ioi ho
arrest and conviction of the person or persons wno
caused the explosion.