SOME CRANK SENDS A BOMB THE BRADLEY MARTINS HAVE A DISAGREEABLE SURPRISE

SOME CRANK SENDS A BOMB
THE BRADLEY MARTINS HAVE A
DISAGREEABLE SURPRISE.
As It Was Rudely Constructed and
No Damage Was Done the Matter Will Be Hushed Up. The New York Times February 10, 1897

An outgrowth of the preparations for the Bradley Martin ball that was not down on the programme was a rudely constructed bomb that was sent by some crank, and was received at the Twentieth Street house Monday.



The Bradley Martins naturally wished to keep the matter from their guests, whose pleasure might be spoiled by the knowledge that some crank had gone further than the sending of threatening messages. Therefore nothing was said about the affair except to a few intimate friends.

The report of the occurrence, however, reached the police and some investigation has been made into the occurrence. As the supposed bomb proved so rudely constructed as to be opened with safety is is probable that the matter will be hushed up.

The sending of the bomb was evidently the work of a crank. The rich people here are constantly in receipt of threatening letters and several bombs have been sent to various prominent persons within the past few years. A Police Commissioner said last night:

"I heard the report of this bomb matter yesterday, but am not at liberty to give the source of my information. Undoubtedly some cranks have been stirred up. We constantly hear of the cranks who send threatening letters to rich people, and I wish we could get hold of one of them and wring his neck. The sensational articles that have recently appeared in two of the papers have started up these cranks to talking and writing against the Bradley Martins, and undoubtedly Mrs. Martin has been subjected to a great deal of annoyance from them."

Mr. Martin was seen last night and when asked about the nature of the bomb he refused to commit himself. " You know the motto of our house," he said. "It is silence." You know what wisdom teaches. If I say nothing you can't quote me. It pays to be wise."

"Has the matter been placed in the hands of the police?" asked the reporter.

"I have nothing to say," was the reply.

" Will you say what kind of a machine it was or what was done with it? "

" I will say nothing at all."

Scroll down to the next article published the day of the ball.