The Portland daily press., 1877-04-06
A NEW YORK TRAGEDY.
A Business Firm Blown up with Hand
GFenades-Tbe Head of the Firm and
Two Men H illed-Gne of the Parties the

A Business Firm Blown up with Hand
Grenades-Tbe Head of the Firm and
Two NIen h ilIed-G One of the Parties the
Assassin.
NEW YORK, April ga barrel of saltpetre
exploded this morning in Jewett's white lead
warehouse, Burling slip. Two workmen and
Mr.. Jewett, the head of the firm, were killed.
LATER.
The Telegram has an account of the fearful
tragedy in the Office of Messrs. Jewett on
Front street. A bombshell, it is said, exploded
killing G. w. Jewett, tbs head of the firm, and
his son Orville d. Jewett, relative, had bis
left hand shattered and received internal in
iuries Joseph A. Deane of Orange. has his
knee pan fractured and received other Injuries
Both Deane and Jewett refuse to disclose the
particulars. pistol and dagger were found on
shattered by the explosion.
Portions. OF conical shell or hand-grenade
were found embedded in the walls and ceiling
of the room and two revolvers and dirk knife
were found OF the floor and scabbard and belt
corresponding to one of the revolyers were
found on the person of Orviile d. Jewett.
Three clerks and a son of Mr.. Dean were in the
adjoining room at the time of the explosion
and were positive in their assertions thatsthe
smell had never been in the place. After the
war few shells3 picked up on the battle field
were sent to the members of the firm, who had
them emptied into East River The clerks say
the shell must have been brought to the office
this forenoon. The theory of the police is that
George W. and Orville d. Jewett became in
volved in dispute and that the shell must
substantiated by the discovery of the revolvers
and knife in the room. When one OF the re-
volvers was found its barrel was warm and one
of the chambers empty with an exploded car
fridge.
About o'clock this afternoon Mr. Lathrop,
father-in-law of Mr.. Dean, visited the office
and reported theslatter in a comfortable condi-
tion, although wounded badly 1.-The leg and
suffering from the nervous shock. He had
given no information on the subject.
The surgeon at the hospital says Orville d.
Jewett has several shot wounds in the breast
and in the abdomen and is expected to die.
The Times tomorrow will publish from an
authentic source the true story of the explosion.
revealing that diabolical crime was perpetrat-
ed. Orville D. Jewett was admitted to the
firm of which his father when alive was q
member, six or seven years ago, simply because
of that relationship. He has been somewhat
| wild and paid little attention to the business,
which seems not to have been to his taste. He
| had been absent the past winter yachting at
Bermuda, and on his return recently expressed
a desire to withdraw from the firm. His part
ners did not wish to make any change in the
business and opposed his retiring, but he per-
sisted in the determination and finally became
so disagreeable that they conceded his request
The necessary papers were drawn up and were
to have been signed today. Young Jewett
probably crazed with liquor, came to the office
armed with hand-grenade, pistol and a
dirk and evidently prepared for bloody work
| Some angry words passed and he pulled the
grenade from his pocket and threw it on the
| floor. An explosion followed. The uncle was
killed, his own legs were broken and he received
three terrible wounds in the abdomen. He
then drew pistol and attempted to shoot him.
gal fhro1 rhfh oI ao1 h,,th -. Co.
tive. He died this evening in the hospital
Dean, who was injured by the explosion, is I'M
derstood not to be in a dangerous condition.
james Dean was visited at his residence to-
night and found in very comfortable condi-
| ton. He received very severe wound on the
left thigh, and also on the right forearm. Cor.
oner Ellinger empanelled jury to-day, who
viewed the bodies. Investiation will be com
menced Monday next, when it is expected Dean
will be able to give testimony,