Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1897-01-06
MUCH FRIGHTENED.
A Lynn Man Has Quite Enough
Of the Deadly Explosives
Experimental With by New York
Chemist and Cuban Agent.
Queer Story Alleged to Have Been Told by
Queer Story Alleged to Have Been Told by
Frightened Electrician.

week, upon lonely part of the New
England coast, has been held series
of experiments with very powerful
explosive closely allied in nature to
ro-glycerine, conducted with a view
to ascertain it's value in actual warfare
as destructive to Notifications or lite
An agent of the Cuban Junta, a New
York chemist and Lynn electrician
conducted the experiments, and with
them was the representative of New
York newspaper sworn to secrecy I'M
til in the opinion of the agent it was
safe to give the facts to the public,
through the medium of that particular
paper.
Another trial of the explosive is to
occur. Wednesday, and the chemist
and agent of the Junta are waiting in
New england town for the time
agreed upon.
1t is very doubtful if the electrician
appears. as he is very badly frightened,
and, notwithstanding the fact that he
was paid well for his services, is about
ready to wash his hands of the whole
business.
A person living in the town where
the chemist and Cuban agent are maxi
ing their headquarters, accidentally
learned their errand and through him
was learned the name and address of
the Lynn electrician, the place and
date of the experiments and the name
of the New York chemist, which is
Robinson.
The Lynn man absolutely refuses to
talk for publication although he does
not deny the statements here given
are correct account of what occurred:
The experiments took place. Friday:
On the New England coast a few miles
distant from the mouth of the Merri-
mac river and a number of miles from
any habitation. The agent had several
assistants who could be trusted to
handle with due care the dangerous
stuff composing the material. Among
the paraphernalia was a kite which in
a strong wind was credited with a car
rying capacity of 80 pounds.
The country for several miles around
was carefully patrolled, q trench was
dug in the sand below high water
mark and a quantity of the explosive
with illuminate cap to which was at
tached the wires of the battery, was
carefully laid in and then covered.
The men unreeling the wire, retreat
cd nearly mile and then exploded the
mine. The conclusion of the explo-
sion threw them fiat to the ground.
An immense hole was torn in the sand
and burrows were turned up for hun
dreds of feet in all directions.
To the kite was attached about 20
pounds of the explosive with cap for
setting it off, and wound around the
cord were two wires of the battery.
The kite was manipulated to float
about IS feet above the ruin of a big
barn in the vicinity of which were
four large trees.
The men were fully a mile and
quarter away when the explosive was
discharged with report that was
defeaning. The ruins of the barn went
up in a cloud of dust and the trees
We're blown practically to toothpicks.
The electrician wass thrown to the
ground insensible and did not recover
for several minutes.
The Cuban agent was highly graft
fled at the success of the kite flying, 4
regarding it as proof that a kite could
be sent over the enemy's lines and an
explosive discharged with great effect.
Arrangements were made for further
experiments. Wednesday of this week,
and the party separated. Whether the
further meeting will take place is prob
lematical. The Lynn man will have
nothing further to do with it, for rea-
sons best known to himself, and he is
much excited and not a little scared
that the facts have become known.
He inquired anxiously of the Associ-
ated Press representative whether he
had learned that any one had been
hurt in consequence of the explosion.
and it is believed that the men think
some may have been in the vicinity,
perhaps watching them.
The Lynn man evidently thinks he
viii be held responsible for making the
story public. although he absolutely
refused to give any information, and
that the Cubans may in consequence
revenge themselves for what they re-
gard as treachery.
The trial may take place without
him.
Christ Schauer Jr., treasurer OF the
Nations Bank for Savings, Allegheny,