Year: 1876

A SUBMARINE FUSE FOUND IN THoMAssEN's S


TRUNK AT THE FIFTH AVENUE HOTEL.


RecollectiOns OF Thomassen, the infamous protector
Of the nendish dynamite plot were revived at Police
Headquarters yesterday in unlocked for manner
Shortly after o'clock p NJ well dressed man
called at the Office OF Superintendent walng and re-
quested private audience. This being granted, the
stranger took from his pocket letter bearing the post
mark Dresden Germany" which he said he had just
received by mail Ii was written by Mrs. Thomassen
the wife of the suicide at present in Dresden and
tained request that the trunk OF her late husband
which at the Fifth Avenue HOTEL in this city be
forwarded to her. The trunk left at that hotel by
Thomassen whom he was last In this city. The letter
also contained the baggage check for the same. The
stranger explained that he was acquaintance Of
Mrs Thomassen, but thought it his duty to notify the
police before he complied with her request in order that
the trunk might be examined He further said that he
did not wish his to be connected in any way with
the terrible affair the present time he merely


past friend OF the widow Of the deceased Thomassen,
having known her in years gone by and while he was
anxious TO do all in his power to subserve the interests
OF justice in the matter he would not unless compelled
give his name publicly he had hesitated about under
taking the task but wishing to serve his former
friend he concluded TO set aside his prejudces and
carry out her request He also declined TO have the
letter made public under present circumstances, but
agreed If called upon 70 deliver It up TO the proper
authorities.


After hearing his story Superintendent walng sum.
moned before him Deceive Mcnamara of the Central
once, and after communicating TO him full details
of what he had learned, directed him to pro-
coed forthwith to the Fifth Avenue Hotel and
carefully and fully investigate all the details Of the
case, including the searching of the trunk and the
animation Of its contents Thus instructed the detec


tive took the check and straghtway proceeded to the
hotel Arriving there he presented the check TO the
baggage clerk who, unconscious of the Importance of
the officers mission and ignorant OF the terrible con-
necons that 1t might have had IN the past with the
fearful tragedy at Bremerhaven, mechanically delivered
it TO the officer in return for the check.


Having the trunk in his possession, Mcnamara now
proceeded pursuance Of his instructions TO institute
q thorough and careful examination OF II and it's
tents In appearance the trunk was one such as Is
commonly used by the ordinary traveller. There
extra fastenngs upon it. and nothing about 1t that
would in any way attract attention. II was of medium
railroad trains


The detective not having the key broke the lock
The trunks contents presented superncally most in
nocent appearance. The trunk was little more than
half filled, apparently with clothing The first article
removed was coat somewhat worn Tho pockets
were searched but found TO be empty. Next
came other articles OF outer and under
wear, which, after close examination, were
found, like the coat, to contain nothing suspicious
about them. AS layer after layer OF clothing
piled upon the oor and nothing discovered bear
ing in any way upon the horror enacted at Bremen
haven, the detective wasbecoming convinced that his
visit Ruthless when suddenly he beheld coiled up
in the bottom OF the trunk strange and suspicious
article. In formation IL resembed q. piece OF small
rope about the diameter Of an ordinary lead pencil
Taking the detective uncoiled it and found
be


SUBMARINE


ten feet in length. 1t made Of brownsh gutta
percha hollow in the centre through its entire length
the hollow part being filled with powder II looked like
section of insulated telegraph wire, such Is fre
quently IN telegraph Offices Finding
nothing else of suspicious character in the
trunk the officer took his departure for the
Central Office, taking with him the fuse He delivered
the same to Superintendent Walling, and IL
ined by many curious oyes The fuse remains
locked up in the Central Office awaiting any further de-
veopments which may result from its finding.


The trunk aud clothing we're delivered to tho
friend OF Thomassen's widow, who agreed with the Su
perintendent TO hold himself in readiness for any fur
ther inquiries If called upon.