Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1885-10-10
The Hell Gate Explosion.

New YORK, October 9th.-The residents
of Harlem and the annexed district adioin-
ing East river, near Hell Gate, particularly
the dwellers in flats and fiimsily-built ten
ements, are disturbed by the prospect of
go, ,006 pounds of dynamite and other ex-
plosives being exploded in the rock bed of
the river, near their houses tomorrow
The last similar explosion of less than
10000 pounds Jared the rock foundation of
many houses, and General Newton himself
advises the people to get out of any big
rooms in which there is a plaster ceiling.
He says window panes are less apt to be
broken if the sash is raised and where big
mirrors are fastened into the wall it will be
a good idea to take them down There is
no danger to property from flying rocks or
anything of ihat sort. He himself would
stand within 600 feet of the explosion if it
were not for the gas that viii be devel-
oped. Troops have been ordered from Gov
ernor's Island to perform guard duty along
the shore, preventing the nearer approach
OF vessels or individuals than 1000 yards.
Three hundred police will keep back sight
seers within the city limits.
SECOND DISPATCH.1
New York, October 9th.-The great ex-
plosion of nearly 100000 pounds of dyna-
mite, which is expected to shiver Flood
Rock and clear the Hell Gate channel, is
set for tomorrow morning at II o'clock.
The work of clearing away the machinery,
buildings and other valuable property was
completed tonight, and all that remains
are the elevator timbers over the main
shaft and little tool shauty, which, having
been cleared out and ntted with shelves,
holds the cells of the great battery which
viii cause the explosion. Thirty-six wires,
running to the detonators in the mine, are
hanging on a brace, waiting the time when
Lieutenant Derby will connect them with
the battery, which will be the last work
done on the rock. Since early morning
two eight-inch siphons have been running
water INTO the mine. and ii is expected that
the whole will be flooded by A. NJ to-
morrow. 1t has been decided to locate the
land battery and instruments on the old
Astoria steamboat dock, about 200 feet
from the rock, and wires to complete the
circuit will be run across the chnanel. To-
morrow cordons of police will keep the
crowds at a respectful and safe distance,
and owners of buildings in the immediate
neighborhood have been notified to stand
from under. Steam launches from Govern
ment vessels will patrol the river, and
prevent vessels from passing.
Letter from Fred Grant.
NE OltfA; OClOltT Jlu.--A lelleT DTl1lJ-
ed this morning from Fred Grant to his
lawyer, burlington, October ID, says:
"Your letter asking about the rumor that
Ward has stated he paid father $206, 600 in
excess of what he Gather put in the firm
of Grant & Ward and paid me $3.50, 600 in
excess of what deposited with or loaned
him (Ward) has been received As 10
fathers account | have only to say he put
in the firm 100000 of his own money and
deposited there $4,000 of mothers $40.
600 belonging to the fund raised in Phila-
delphia to pay for the house on East Sixty.
sixth street; S25, 900 obtained from the sale
OF the Long Branch cottage, built while
father was President; $15 900 from the sale
of AngloAmerican bank stock that mother
had owned some years, and $4,000 from
the income and allowances that father ha6
givensher) and Sl50000 he obtained from
Vanderbilt. My fathers expenses were
about $1,000 per month, $1,000 O
which he allowed mother for main
tanning the house, $500 he gave
in charity and $500 he kept ft1
his own use, but gave most of this away il
presents. Fathers income and profits out
side of the firm of Grant & Ward latter tht
$3.50, GOO fund was raised) were greater than
the amount he spent. Father made no in
vestments while in the firm except thos
he left with the firm, and Ward had charg
| of the securities" The letter then make
similar statement concerning the writer
connection with the firm, closing as fol
| lows p" have done nothing | am ashame,
| of, except that | dealt with such men a
| Fish and Ward. There is nothing l an
sorry for except the suffering which ha
| befallen innocent people through my con
| tidence in these men. | was not membe
| of the firm but believe | could have bee,