Illinois vs. August Spies et al. trial evidence book. People's Exhibit 62.
Science of Revolutionary War, Johann Most, excerpt
1 p.
Introduced Vol. K p. 650, 1886 July 30.
Transcript of translation of article.
P. 6. Ex. 62.
From Herr Most's Book, page 32.
Another incendiary article is the following:
The cover of a fruit-jar is soldered off and the contents taken out. In the center of the cover a hole is cut, into which a medicine glass may be Squeezed afterwards and then the cover is soldered on again. Then pour benzine through the opening so that two-thirds of can is filled. Meanwhile the medicine glass has been filled with gunpowder and closed with a stopper. Through this stopper a fuse or piece of touch-wood has been conducted. Then this glass is squeezed through the opening as far as possible, the fire-bomb is ready. To fit the medicine glass very tightly it may be wrapped up in paper or rags.
Light the fuse or touch-wood with a burning cigar and throw the bomb in to the place to be destroyed after you have ascertained that it contains combustible material.
In a moment when the fuse or touch-wood is burned down to the powder, the latter explodes, at the same time causing the explosion of the benzine. All around the burning liquid flies, causing destruction. Fire-brands of this kind may, of course, not only be thrown, but also laid.
Nobody will be able to deny that a hundred men, equipped with several such simple kindlers, and distributed all over a city, will, at the moment of a riot, be able to achieve more than twenty batteries of regular artillery. And the thing is remarkably easy and dirt cheap.