The sun., 1890-01-31


efthe DuPeats IN Delaware.
WILMINGTON, Del, Jan. sO-The attempt
to blow up press room in the powder yards Of
Z. L Dupont De Nemours 4 Co.. on the
Brsndywine. north OF this city, has created
marked sensation. When q day watohman
went to the press room ut O'Clock on Monday
morning he pushed aside the sliding door. As
he did 30 he looked down ct the track on which
the door slides and saw match. He stopped
to pick II up, and as he did 30 he saw other
matches. A search was made. and nineteen
parlor matches were found all placed along
the door track In such way that they were
liable to be iRnited when the door was moved.
The press room contained ak tons OF powder
sufficient TO have demolished not only the
building itself but adjoining buildings which
also contain powder. At least four men would
have been killed had the mill been blown up.
The money loss would have been about $4,000.
This attempt appears TO be part OF de-
liberate plot to destroy the property OF the
powder firm. The members Of the firm never
talk to outsiders Of their business. Their en-
ployees hayo the same retleence, but some one
can always be found II approached In the right
Gem &enrp 11pont doa nss August
there was universal sorrow among the inhab-
OF tRS m the SS
kline; d;hearted old gentleman, who had grown
up with most OF the old and reliable Of the pow
made It q rule never TO discharge a man be-
cause he was old and incapacitAted for active
where they could pass pass their til time "S and nd draw
their wages even II they did no work. When
the General died; however, and ths younger
adopted a different system. They, took bust:
ness methods and not sentimental ones All
od and ii is said that iifty OF the Genersls PEN
sioners loand themselIee WITHOUT even place.
els q. Dupont, located near the Office Of the
firm. Tas Un burned to the ground. causing loss
as to the origin Of the fire. The Duponts them
selves would say nothing but the people in the
an incendiary.. Early on the evening OF Jan.
q another q the Dupont barns about half a
flames. 1t adjoined a large country store in
which there were number Of men. Before
these men could run to the rescue ten COWS and
and could moi, be saved. The barn was totally
destroyed and the loss was estimated at S10.-
vance theory. but every one suspected incen-
diarism I'M; aS st there had been No Light around the
The next known attempt-and there Is no
telling how many unsuccessful Efforts to de-
stroy property have been madeLto do injury to
side Of their powder yard, which they lease;
gates and set the machinery running ct full
speed. As the journals were NOT Oiled there
would have been hot boxes in a short time. and
the mill would have been burned. Tho lessee.
however discovered that the machinery was in
motion and shut of the water before any dam
age had been done. Then followed the attempt
o. yesterday to blow up a press room.
1t IL the prevailing impression that these
acts OF vandalism are committed by the dis
charged pensioners OF the old General or their
friends, In order to get even" with the firm.
A large number Of extra watchmen have been
engaged to look after tho company's property
and the property OF the individual members OF
the family. which Ia spread over an area three
or four miles square. These watchmen il is
understood, have instructions to act promptly
when they have reason to suspect any one
found lettering In places whore they have no
business.
The company has one storehouse at Mont
chanin. a station on the Wilmington and North
ern Railroad, where as much as tWenty-four
tons Of powder Is often stored. There are
other storehouses and many mills along the
Brandywine for four miles. and II the present
spirit OF devitry Is kept up a terrific explosion
may be expected at any time.