Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1908-09-13
ATTEMPT TO KILL GOVERNOR
Internal Machine Sent to New Jer-
sey's Executive.
DETECTED IN MAILS BY CLERK
Package Carried InEufhcient Postage
and Was Mailed In Philadelphia
After FOrt's, Atlantic
City order.

SEA GIRT, n. j., Sept. 12-An attempt
to assassinate Governor Fort of New Jer-
sey has been thwarted by the watchfulness
of postoffce employees who discovered in
the mails an Internal machine addressed
to the governor. The package was
cleverly-c combination of powder
bullets and matches, which had been so
arranged that had the governor opened it
in the ordinary way there is little doubt
it would have killed him.
That the death-dealing package was in
tercepted before it had reached its des-
, tination was due to the vigilance of the
postal officials who have scanned the gov
ernor's mail with unusual care since the
executives recent crusade against viola
tion of the law at Atlantic City. The at
/ titude taken by the governor when he d-
rected that the excise and other similar
laws at the great seaside resort be strictly
enforced and even threatened to order out
the militia If necessary TO that end,
aroused grest resentment in some quarters.
1t was to guard the governor as much as
possible from any annoyance arising from
that affair that the unusual watch was
put on his mail
Postage Due on Package.
Several days ago when a package of
somewhat unusual shape was found to
! bear insufficient postage it was taken by
a clerk to one of the postal inspectors.
The inspector became more impressed by
the shape and condition of the package
! than by the shortage of stamps and at
once wrote the governor informing him
that a package of suspicious appearance
addressed to HIM was being held at the Of
flee. The inspector asked for permission
to open it without forwarding it 10 its des-
tination. The permission was given al
once.
/ Exercising the greatest care the inspector
and his assistants removed the wrappings
from the package TO find that their worst
fears were confirmed. II was a real in
fernal machine, crude but SO ceverly con-
structed that it was capable OF doing tre-
mendous damage, 1t contained a quantity
of powder and bullets, with matches So
arranged that a hurried opening Of the
package would have set off the powder
and hurled the bullets in all directions.
Message in Package.
That the sender of the machine had .
grim sense OF humor became apparent
from an examination OF the contents OF
the package. on a bit Of paper he had
written message to the governor which
read:
PLEASE notify us promptly of any change
in your postoffice address," Another read
You will know me better after we are ac
quainted."
Another line by which It is believed th'
sender sought to give the impression tina
the machine was sent by foe Of the con
stitutional government instead Of a persona
enemy of the governor reads:
And the gun against this rotten govern
ment."
Governor Fort said today that he did no
care TO discuss the matter in any way. Il
speaks for itself" was the only commen
he would make when questioned about hi
narrow escape.
Postal Clerks Detect Il.
PHILADELPHIA, Sept l2.-The posta
inspectors In this city admit that they ar,
investigating the mailing OF an inferna
machine in this city 10 Governor Fort O.
1 fCrpffn,tad On Ga.nnd