Ottumwa weekly courier. (Ottumwa, Wapello County, Iowa) 1872-1899, 1877-04-11
Particulars Of the Jswess Tragedy

New YORK, April 6.-The tragedy
in the office of Jewett & Co., yester-
day, is an absorbing topic of conver-
sation to-day. The thousands Of peo-
pie who cross, every morning, from
Brooklyn to New York, by Fulton
Ferry, all turn, this morning, into
Burling Slip and linger for q while
at Front street, looking up to the 2d
floor, at the windows Of the Office in
which the calamity occurred. The
building is closed and the police, SO
needful yesterday, to keep the crowd
from pressing in have been with
drawn.
In addition to the story credited to
the Times this morning that newspa-
per also published the following:
"All members of the firm bear the
very highest possible reputation for
amiability of character and charita-
bleness, except OrvilleN d. .JeWctt,
who was Of q close, surly disposition.
Orville's original interest was $780,
OOO. Ho never got along very well
with his uncles. He came and went
as he pleased and refused to be tied
down to any routine whatever. Not
withstanding his extreme penurious.
ness, he did not hesitate to spend
money freely for his own ejoyment.
He kept yacht, fast horses and dogs
and was generous liver. These
characteristics brought him into col
lision with his partners, and he re-
ceived their remonstrances in any
thing buta friendly spirit. A breach
was thus formed which was continu-
ally widening until four years ago ON
occasion of the annual settlement
there was an open rupture, caused by
the demand, that Orville should
change his course or leave the firm.
This was settled, however, at the time
but without producing any alteration
in the relations of the members of the
firm. Orville constantly grew more
insolcnt and independent and finally,
about four weeks ago, fotbcarancc
ceased to be virtue and he was in
formed that his connection must emu
without further delay. Heretofore
his uncles, presuming on their rela-
tionship, had taken upon themselves
the duty of chiding him, which pro-
duced feeling of intense bitterness
against them In his breast, but now
Dean added the weight of his OUT
spoken determination to theirs and
Oryillc saw he must 90. He made q
stubborn resistance however, but one
day last week he went to Dean and
begging his pardon for anything Of
fensive he might have said in the past
told him he considered him his best
friend, and If he wished to buy out
his interest he might have it at fair
price, but he would not sell to his
uncles on any terms. Dean told him
to name his own price. He said he
would take 100000. but would re-
quire that the papers should be drawn
up by his own lawyers. Dean re-
piled that he did not care what law
yer drew up the papers, SO long as he
was respectable. All he wanted was
receipt for the money which he would
pay over. This was the understand
ing arrived at and Orville went to
John L. Sutherland, his attorney. and
him to draw up the papers.
Sutherland said yesterday they were
all ready and were to be signed by
appointment at Ii o'clock. The mon
ey consideration, all in cash, had been
provided and a happy ending to the
long continued troubles Of the con-
cern was promised.
News of the terrible affair was car
ried to relatives, who nearly all re.
sided out of town, and who hurriedly
came to the city. Mrs. Jewett, aged
S5, mother of Orville, was informed
of the tragedy while at her nepAews
in Brooklyn, and Immediately went
to the hospital where her son was dy-
ing, and as soon IS he saw her bend
ing over him breathcd forth the
words s'God bless you."