The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-04-10
THE JEWETT TRAGEDY.
Informal Examination by Coroner Ellingsr OF
Mr.. Dean and Mr.. Taintor
THE THEORY OF SUICIDE CONFIRMED.
What Owle's Old Friends Have to Saw
"reminiscences of His Past Life.


last Thursday appears TO be gradually clear.
ing up Ever since tho occurrence Coroner Ellngei
has been diligently work investigating all the iacis
OF the case Yesterday he made IN informal
animation OF Mr. Dean and Mr. Taintor, tho details Of
winch, however, he Is not willing 10 make public,
though he says that he has learned enough TO satisfy
him that Orvie ID. Jcwett cicd by his hand, after
having exploded tho grenade which did such death.
dealing work. Several OF Orvllles old friends moi
satisfied with this explanation continue to claim
that the wnole affair accidental while others Of
them, although admitting that he did explode the
grenade charitably suppose him TO have becn insane
THE LATEST DEVELOPMENTS.
Coroner Ellinger began his days yesterday by
calling at tho house Of Mr.. Joseph A. Dean. No IA
wavorley place He questioned him closely concern.
ing the relations between the different OF the
firm and HE recocctons Of the circumstances Of the
tragedy. Mr.. Dean, who was found to be rapidly re.
covering from his injuries proiessed remember
nothing accurately concerning the explosion. He said
he staggered out OF the olce he could aud
denied that there had been any trouble be-
tween himself and Orville. On Thursday morning
the latter camc. he said, into the rear office
and stood up in front Of the CRATE. He
asked several questions, aud, among othors, whore
Manchester was Manchester IS OF the travelling
clerks OF the firm. Mr. Dean looked up and told him
that Mr.. Manchester was In Connccticut Two or
other were tnon asked ToAtng
to their business Mr. Dean went writing
letters in answer to letters received by the morning
mall While he writing the explosion occurred.
The shock to his nervous system WINS very great,
much 80 that his recollection OF the circumstances
attending tho tragedy Is somewhat vague.
After learning all that Mr.. Dean was able 10 toll him
the Coroner proceeded oco OF the Central Rail.
road Of Now Jersey to Judge Latnrop, receiver Of
the road who counsel Tor Mr. Dean. The statement
made by Mr. Dean Mr.. Lathrop did not differ any
particular from that made TO the Coroner. Mr. Lath-
rop stil advises silence the part OF Mr. Dean, and
tho latter gentleman refuses to make public any facts
he Is in possession until he officially examined at
tho inquest.
Coroner Elnger next went to the Office OF Mr.. John
/. Sutherland counsel for 1rm OF John Jcwett &
Sons at No. 81 Wall street. There no met Mr. Charles
Taintor by appointments. and examined him 10 the
relations between tho members OF the firm. Mr.
Sutherland also questioned regarding the arrange
menis for tho proposed dissolution Of partnership
Tho Coroner's investigation lasted nearly an hour
At its conclusion no stated that he would not make
public the details OF tho examination until they should
be officially submitted at the inquest Tho time iol
the inquest to como or has been fixed Tor clever
O'Clock tomorrow morning. The Coroner has aban
doued the theory he at first held that tho shots found
in orvio's body fired by person other than
himself. He now thinks the to be Of suicide
The evidence, he said. would be very FULL and would
corroborate that TACT No one would be placed under
tho persons concerned III tho affair or who
can give any cicw to cnlighten tho mys.
al The inquest ana tell all they know. The Coroner
learned that Mr. Taintor 10 have had interest
IN the business Orville on Wednesday night learned
that, although he was 70 transfer his interest IN the
firm Mr. Dean, the latter would at once transfer Il
to Mr. Taln.or rms arrangemen It was presumed
thing to defeat Tho project The Coroner also declared
that he had traced the pistols and the knc to the pos
session OF Orvlc ID. Jewett. Tho jackknife found
near body the Office had been purchased by him
only a few hours previous to the tragedy.
While Coroner Engcr was al Dir. Deans residence
Mr. Rawson and three acquaintance Of Orville Jcwett
visited the Coroncr's office anu examined the KNIFE
and the pistols that found after the tragedy
also the fragments OF tho exploded hand grenade
they then lett for Offices. II was understood
that they wished Mr.. Taintors examination post
poncd
Notwithstanding this sudden change in Coroner
EIngers opinions from the theory Of murder TO that
or suicide, his deputy DR.. Goldschmldt, who made
the autopsy Orvc's body still adheres to his origi
nal belief. He thinks Il impossible that The bullets
discovered could have been fred by Orville Jewett
himself. He arrived ut these conclusions from mature
reflection the course the balls had taken.
strongly impressed with the belief that tho shots In
OrvlIlo's body not fred by him. Captain Petty
still thinks that they were hred by MI Dean III SELL
WHAT okvILLE's FRIENDS SAY
Mr.. NJ Brewster, member OF the Produce Ex-
change, SAID yesterday 70 HERALD reporter that he
bad known Orville d. Jewett tor long time He said
that the origin OF tho trouble between Orve and the
members OF the firm dated back several years.
Orvilc's father, John Jewett, mad discovered new
method Of making white lead. orvllIe entered the
firm with half interest In The business.
continually ann ally extending their stock 50 that
POI A orvs's idea was that Dean was I'M.
dcrminlng him and working him out. While he
in tho army no obtained O furlough for the special
purpose coming home TO look after his share Of the
business The trouble had iasted since that time.
Mr. Brewster had no doubt but that these troubles
hrOuC n
| Mr.. Read Benedict OF No. Ill Broadway, An old
friend OF Orvilc, told the reporter that ne had
known Orville tor fifteen years, but could not tell
much about his business affairs II exceedingly
delicate subject OrvllIc was generally quiet man
bus U He was noted as very brave man. an.
II usual thing for him to carry pistols. He also
Two or three years ago Mr. Bcnedicts house Staten
Island was entered by burglars When OrvilIc heard
OF It he told Mr.. Benedict that he had some OF these
hand grcnadcs that would give him, they might
be useful 10 throw ont Of the window az burglars
iausnnsly refused the offer. saying tha. some Of his
children might gc hold Of one Of the grenades and drop
II have no doubt whatever In my mind" said Mr.
Benedict. 'that " he did commit such thing they
say he did, he did IL without any premoditation The
story about his keeping fast horses entirely false
As near | understand the history OF his troubles
they reach back TO his fathers time His iathcr DIS.
covered the process OF making white lead, and he
the working man of tho business Orvile this
only heir He went 10 the war, but lett his money In
the firm. His gradually getting smaller II
seems as though there been trouble; but II
Orvc did the act he was charged with no must have
| been Insane HIS comrades In arms all speak we'll Of
him."
Mr.. Buell.. employee OF Mr.. Benedict who was
III the same regiment as 0rvc during tho war, stated
that he had always thought great deal OF Urvile,
and considered MIN very fine man. He had w.t.
messed lew exhibitions OF passion on Orvlles part,
but they were only momcntary Ho was known 10 be
very charitable. When tho company they were In
started oil TO the war he gave $500 toward providing
them with better equipments When asked II Orville
was anything OF spendthrlft Mr. Buell. replied: -
mo- sir. he was most saving man. IL there was
anything Of that kind In him he would have becn
likely TO show IL IN the army than anywhere else.
lie drank but very little, and saw him under
the influence OF liquor in my lie." !.
Captan Kennedy, Of Company /, of the l56th rcg-
ment, VINO succeeded Orville in the command OF the
company and whom the reporter met yesterday
id;-"Mr Jewctt came home from tho army behev-
mn iuIar "a