The Rugby gazette and east Tennessee news. (Rugby, Morgan Co., Tenn.) 1884-188?, 1885-03-21
MYSTERIOUS PACKAGE.
closely Resembling An Internal
Machine,
Sent Through tho Philadelphia Postoffice
to a Hospital Nurse.

PHILADELPHIA, PA, March 13-An in
iernal machine capable of destroying at
least score of human lives, directed to
Miss Alice Fisher, the head nurse of the
Alms'house, was detected in the mail at
he Sub.Post office in West Philadelphia
this morning. The deadly package was dis.
covered by Clerk Wilson about seven
O'Clock, while he was sorting the mail just
received from the main office on Ninth
street, and his suspicious were aroused
py nearing clicking noise in the pack
age, which was in the shape of a cigar
pox' Thinking that something was wrong,
ne tore Off part of the covering of the
bo3y and, lifting up corner of the lid, saw
inside some clock-work and a number of
Parlor matches glued to bit of card
board at the bottom. He was thoroughly
scared. and place the Internal machine on
one side until the arrival of Superintend-
emit 4. Barber, who, at sArst, was disposed
to look upon the matter as a joke. As oo1
as he saw the mysterious box and goc
glimpse Of its contents, however, he
became. as frightened as his clerk
nad been, and forbid any one
eouching II for fear of an explosion. He
tnen wrote letter, describing the box and
the circumstances of the discovery of its
contents to Postmaster Huidekoper and
asked for instructions. This was sent by
special messenger, but Superintendent
Barber becoming impatient telephoned for
Inc Postmaster soon after the letter had
been sent, and then learned that General
huidecoper was absent from his office and
would not be there until this morning. Dur
ing the day the box was an object of
avoidance, and tonight, after much par
ieying, Clerk Wilson carefully carried the
box down to the cellar, where it now lies.
On Thursday evening, in the busiest hour
OF the day, OF the Postoffice, a young
woman Of medium build, and evidently Of
Irish extraction, peered through window
"A, where packages are received in the
rostofflce, and presenting what appeared
Clerk Hatch how much postage it would
require, and whether It would
not be delivered at the aims house
that night. Referring to the time card, Mr..
Hatch said that the delivery had gone at
5:& p. M. She seemed disappointed, and,
upon paying for the stamp which the clerk
had put on the cover, she started Off, but
not before the clerk had inquired what was
In the box. 'sOh, general merchandise"
she replied, and hurried away. The pack
age was then placed with the other
matter of that class in gem
eral receptacle, and during the
evening was stamped by one of the cancel
lers philadelphia, Pa, g." The figure s
represents the number of the canceller who
handled that piece. Mr.. Hatch was ques-
TONED last night to ascertain if he could
recall the appearance Of the woman for the
purpose Of identification. But, as the Incl
dent occurred during period of great
hustle, he had not taken special
notice of her, and knew nothing more than
received letter threatening her life if she
did not leave the country. She snapped
her fingers, and said no one can brighten
her. The authorities think they can trace
some connection between this box and the
discharge Of a hospital nurse recently.