The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-10-27
BLEW UP a POWDER MILL.
Family Arrested for Causing tho
Dupont Horror.
ZION the Ne ~ li.e,.ti.ar

From the NrtU YORK Advertiser.
WILMINGTON, DEL, Oct. 4.-Great ex.
citement prevails here over the arrest of a
whole family for no less a crime than the
blowing up of the Dupont powder mills a
year ago. In that explosion fifteen persons
lost their lives, thirty were Injured and
sixty houses were destroyed.
Edward Clark, his wife, Mary Clark.
and their l5-year-old son, Joseph, were ar
rested yesterday and held under bail in the
aggregate sum Of S45, 900 to answer to the
| charge OF destroying the property.
For two years it is alleged that a con-
spiracy has existed against the Duponts
lhs great interests of the firm have, dur
ing tnat time, been practically at the mercy
of gang Of fire-bugs
The first fire was in December, 1889. when
a large bara was burned Less than a
month after another barn was burned, and
great deal OF stock destroyed. In quick
succession two other barns, filed with crous.
were visited by the tire-bugs and burned TO
the ground. Then came the great expIo-
sion.
This was a little over a year ago. The
country for thirty miles around was shaken
by series of terrible explosions In half a
minute nVe powder houses had been blown
TO atoms, fifteen men had been killed,
thirty wounded, and sixty hous IS had been
wrecked. Investigation showed conclusive
~ that the deed was the work of the incen-
diaries. Although the mills were so con-
structed that one could not be fired from
the explosion OF another. they went off a.
most simultaneously.
AS II TO further emphasize the hatred and
vengeance OF the perpetrators Of the shock
ing crime. and to further exploit it, this ex-
plosion was timed for the eve of a sump-
tuous reception given in honor of the pretty
irish bride OF one of the junior members OF
the hrm. The great preparations made for
this event Of themselves caused a relaxa-
ton of the vigilance maintained about the
building against further arson.
Since then the conspirators have been
Idle. Detectives were placed in the yards
and town, aud they decided that Clark.
who had been discharged by the firm. knew
something about it. Detectives Wilkinson
and Lynch persuaded him to go into the
hotel business with them. Lynch had
plenty of money. Detective Barton soon
appeared on the scene as a sick man. He
became worse, his mind became affected,
and Clark accompanied him to an asylum
on the Hudson. Here Barton grew better
and began to win Clark's confidence
The two returned to the "hotel.n Mrs.
Barton was added to the company. Mrs.
Barton used to give it ont that she had a
mania for fires and explosions. She con-
stantly led the conversation in that direc-
ton, and naturally found eager listeners.
She said she wanted to see "A jolly big
time blow up" and soon had Mrs. Clarlts
complete confidence. After that the work
was easy. Little by little the detectives
got the complete story, and the arrests fol-
lowed. 1t is said that more arrests will fol-
low, and that add ioEal conspirators in
Philadelphia are under suspicion.
The motive for the crime is unknown.
The prisoners. who are in Newcastle jail,
deny everything.