The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1877-04-06
Terrible, and Mysterious ExpIo.

| tue heBIs' JeWektI NO loE front street
white lead manufacturers. A bombshelI
exploded. instantly killing George W,
Jewett, Of Port Richmond, Staten Island,
the head Of the firm, and n son Of John
Jewett. 0rville d. JeWett, n relative,
also a member Of the firm, had his Left
hand shattered and suffered Internal in.
juries. He was taken to the Chambers
Street Hospital. Joseph A. Dean, Of
Orange, N. j., had his Eee.pan fractured
and suffered internal injuries. Both Mr..
Dean and o. D. JeweLt refuse to make
any statement Of the particulars OF the
terrible affair. Pistols and large dag.
ger were found among the trio. The
explosion occurred in the office on the
second floor. The windows are blown
out; SCOT two inches deep is on the office
floor, and the Office furniture is shattered
to bits. Pieces OF the bombShell are in
the room. The pistols and dagger we're
taken to police station. The body OF
Jewett lies in his private office, fronting
on Burllng Slip. The corpse and carpet
arc bathGd in gore. His face was all
blackened with SCOT, and his hands were
coal.black.. The Coroner is investigating
the case.
Portions Of conical shell were found
imbedded in the walls and ceiling of the
room, and two revolvers and a large
knife were found on the floor. A scab.
bard and belt corresponding to one of the
revolvers we're found on the person OF O.
d. Jewe.t. Three clerks and son Of
Mr.. Dean were in an adjoining room at
the time Of the explosion and were posi-
tive in their assertions that the shell had
never been in the place. Alter the war, a
few shells picked up on n battle field
were sent to the members Of the firm,
who had them emptied into the East
river. The clerks say that the shell
must have been brought to the office this
morning by one Of the injured men. The
theory Of the police is that George W.
and Orville D. Jewett became involved
in dispute, and that the shsll must have
been used as q weapon. This theory is
strengthened by the discovery OF the re-
volvers and knife in the room. When
one OF the revolvers was found its barrel
was warm and one Of the chambers empty
with IN exploded cap on il.
Every effort was made to find out the
cause oft, but beyond the fact that the
ahell had exploded, nothing could be
learned, as MIR. Dean when asked for in
formation, both by the police and report.
ers, merely answered: "Don't ask me-"
The explosion caused great excitement
and sympathy, and the building was
soon crowded with people. A section OF
police were soon on the scene, and re-.
gu!ar fire line was established, no one be.
ing permitted to pass it who did not be-
long to the firm, or who was not called
there by legimate business. Rumors OF
Engagements between the parties were
circulated, and one person who claimed
10 be intimately connected with the tirm
told Commercial reporter that the buis.
ness matters had not been going on an en-
tirely as harmoniously as they might
have done.
One theory advanced as to the cause Of
the explosion, is that the shell was
thrown into the CRATE with coal, and the
the other, that it was PERCUSSION shell
and exploded while being carelesaly
handled.
orville D. Jewett, served in the army
during the war and it is stated that the
shell was kept by him in the Office as a
relic OF the struggle. Others who pro.
tess to be familiar with the office, deny
the existence there Of such u dangerous
memento. Dean was able to be driven
to his residence, but Oryille D. Jewett,
who resides at Orange, N. j., was taken
TO the Hospital, where late in the after
noon, he was thought to be dying.
y friend OF the firm Characterizes us
cruel the rumor that the disaster was
the result in some indirect way Of dis.
agreement among the members.
S. f. Rawson, 54 Wall street, stated
that his firm were the legal advisers Of
0. D. Jewett and knew all the facts, and
that the rumor is without foundation.
It had been decided on January lst that
0. D. Jewett should retire from the busi-
ness, and q final adjustment Of the matter
was TO have been made at Rawson's office
to-day. There was no feeling but that Of
good will among all the parties.
The firm was composed OF George W.
Jewett, who was killed; ]. A. Dean,
slightly wounded; o. D. Jewett, badly
wounded, and Charles II. Jones, not in.
jured.
The Times tomorrow will publish,
from'authentic sources, the true story. Of
the explosion, revealing that diaboiical
crime has been perpetrated. Orville D.
Jewett was admitted TO the firm Of which
his father, when alive, was a member,
elk or seven years ago, simply because
OF that relationship. He has been some.
what wild, and paid but little attention to
the business, which seems not to be to
his taste. He has been absent the past
winter yachting at Bermuda, and on his
return recently expressed u desire to
withdraw from the firm. His partners
did not wish to make any change in the
business, and opposed his retiring; but
he persisted in his determination, and
finally became SO disagreeable that they
conceded his request, agreeing to pay him
$500, 900 for his interest. The necessary
papers were drawn up and were to have
been signed to-day. Young Jewett,
probably crazed with liquor, came to the
office armed with ahand.grenade, pistol
and a dirk. Some angry words passed
and he pulled the grenade from his
pocket and threw it on the floor. An ex-
plosion followed; the uncle was killed
and his own legs broken, and he received
three terrible wounds IN the abdomen.
He then drew the pistol and attempted to
shoot himself through the head, but the
aim was Ineffective. He died this even
ing in the hospital. Dean, who was in
jured by the explosion, is understood not
10 be in dangerous condition.
The Tribune furnishes the following in
regard to the explosion at John Jewett
& Sons: The cause Of the explosion is
not known certainly, but the theory that
obtained the most acceptance, was that
Orville D, Jewett was insane; the TRACE.
dy was due to his act; he was armed
with revolver, and another revolver
and bowie knife were found on the
floor Of the office.
One Of the Clerks, in conversation with
a Tribune reporter yesterday, did not
know any differences or bitterness Of
feeling existed between the partners Of
the firm, but Orviue D. Jewett had Of
late shown evidence Of temporary insan.
lty. This had several times been observed
by the partners and others connected
with the house.