The New York herald., 1879-12-28
THE vITRIOL THROWER.

THE vITRIOL THROWER.
NO POSITIVE EVIDENCE OF INSANITY INTER
PHILADELPHIA, Pa. Dec. 27. 1879.
Until within a few years past the peculiar form OF
mayhem known as vltriol throwing has been confined
to France There the crime was almost exclusively
confined to grisettcs intent avengng themselves
on lovers who lad deserted them In fact, some OF
the Paris journals kept the heading 'La vtriolouse'
standing. From Paris tho abominable crime spread
to he provinces. several horrible occurring in
Lyons Marseilles. AIaiens ana bordeaux. The crime
found its way the Channel but the magistrates
OF London dealt with it so severely that it never
has hourshed there. In New York several cases Of
viriol throwing have occurred ut raro intervals and
Oh Christmas night most atrocious OF this kind
occurred in the city of Philadelphia. On that night
about sevea o'clock. George Shepherd well known
boatbuldcr and resident of Old Kensington. was
standing the steps OF his residence. No. l.03I
Shackamaxon street. when he approached by
George Wood retired shipbuilder and supposed
friend who deliberately threw pint of sulphuric
acid his face. destroying the sight OF his left eye
and burning HIM about the neck and face dread
fully that his life is despaired Of The strange fact
about the arocity is that inquiry fails to establish
the truth Of any OF the allegations set up by the
relatives and friends OF thevitirol thrower. Imme.
diately the deed committed every means
ployed suppress the facts and it not until last
night. when the condition of the injured man be.
came very alarming that Wood was taken before
local magistrate. Squire Allen. ana held in s5,0 900
bail TO appear court. 1t Is now believed that an
examination in will show the act to be Of
long reconciliation and criminal intent and not the
decd of an insane man. Charles 4. and Isaac Wood.
brothers OF tho vitriol thrower. had him con-
veyed to the Fran ktort Insane Asylum in the north-
part OF the city, this morning but it is assertel
that the District Attorney determined to have the
case thoroughly investigated
The FULL story of the crime obtained at the house
of the injured man this evening is s.s follows:-On
Wednesday night at nine o'clock Wood called ut Mr..
Shepherds house, No. OS1 Shackamaxon street. Mrs.
Shepherd came to tho door and Wood asked for Mr..
Shepherd. He told that he not ut home.
Wood then stood several minutes at the door, and
neighpor coming out OF the next door he hid cup
which up to that time he had carried in his hand
under his coat. Both the neighbor and Mrs. Shep.
herd will swear to this fact; and it is thought
that he intended to have thrown tho viriol both
Mr.. and Mrs. Shepherd.
THE SHADOW OF GREAT CRIME.
Wood said inaliy:-"Tell Snep to call at my
my cellar patent want to show him. Tell nim
to be and come" He then left. Mrs. Shep-
heri returned into the house. and. forgetting all
about the request, did not tell her husband Had
she done it is probable, in the light OF subse-
quent events, that even greater crime might have
been enacted in tho cellar OF MIR. Woods house.
Girard avenue. Marlborough street, because.
like Armstrong. Shepherd was wholly unsuspcious
OF his friend
THE vrRIoL THROWN.
On Christmas (rhursday) night, at half-past five,
Mr. Shepherd lett tho supper tabo to to his front
door look at the condition OF tho weather. 1t
showing violently at the time. and he was anxious
to know whether it was going to continue long. as it
would interfere with work in his boat yard the
following day. While standing at the door Wood
came across the street ana accosting him. said:-
''Shep, why didn't you como up to see this
morning? 1 am sick and my wife is under the
weather. have been buying: some medicine for US.
I'm nervous too, George.
"You ought to take some medicine" was tho reply.
'Smell this said Wood. holding up large shaw.
ing cup hlet with q liquid but Mr.: Shepherd not
"You take it all Pve owed you
that grudge for long time.'' Saying which he
threw the vitriol III the face Of Mr. Shep-
herd and ran down tho street toward Richiuond
street. Tho liquid struck the assailed the lott
side of the face and splashed tho door. Mr..
Shepherd was i'll his shirt sleeves and his vest fell
of him in pieces He made his way into the house
G terrible agony lint s , npss he aea S %Ss sas n
effect his clothes he know what it was.
Doctors were ut once sent for and everything has
since becu done to save the old gentleman's life.
Some OF the acid went into his mouth and throat.
ana his tongue is swollen and black tar His lett
eye is wholly gone and 1t was said this morning that
the right had Followed but more careful examina-
ton by expert ocusts this afternoon leads to tha
impression that tho right eye will be of should
the patient recover. He was slightly easier ut
six o'clock Tonight but the danger is not past Mr..
Shepherd is Sixty-eght years DID, ana ha8 been 9
boat builder all his life on Beach street.
HAS NEWER sPECULATED
George Shepherd. son Of the injured man. was
found ut tho OF Bartlett shepherd, In Front
street, near Vine. He said:-"The insanity theory
will not stand in open court. My father and Wood
were rivals IN the same business before Wood re-
tired not SINCE and of late years they have been
OH speaking terms Wood has been out OF the busi-
ness years and il his prudge against father
has been nursed that long it can hardly come under
the head of insanity. Certainly ground tor per-
sonal grievance has occurred since My father
ind tn fin fnf
lar, and Wood and he never had auy transactions OF
that nature together. During the war they both
owned shares in q tugboat but were only two OF
several persons who did. The boat very profit
able property Not cont lost in that invest
ment They bought ut separate times also. Wood
has borrowed money OF my father several
sions but has always repaldit. He does not now
crime? Some old ana forgotten transaction and the
deyilish nature OF the man. lie las
mitted several acts of similar character.
admitted TO several persons that ho has
given c-oton oil to people joke. Another habit
his to enter the Offices of his acquaintances
and slyly sprinkle Cayenne pepper upon the hot
stoves. 1t is possible that he did not realize tho
this, because his evident purpose get father to
put his face down he could throw the liquid down
his throat and into both eyes and nostriIs shows .
horrible generalization to make end of his victim.
1t is that protested against tho admission OF
the to bail. because know that his reputation
Diligent effort was mado to nnd Charles 4. and
Isaac Wood, brothers OF tho culprt. but without
suit "A VISIT 10 tIo uOusc Oh tuc NJ NO. lUIo
Shackarnaxon street. disclosed the fact that ho had
not been there to-day. 1t subsequently, learned
that he had npancd his brother to tho asylum.
Tho conduct Of tho prisoner when before Squire
Allen indicated sincere regret for his act Ho said
several tmes:--"Im very sorry now did IT..
Wood is ify-one years OF age quite gray. heavy set
and tall. His friends hold to tho insanity claim with
great determination. very strange fact was also
elected the magistrates Office. 1t there dis
covered that the ply scians who had been called to
attend on Mr. Shepherd had been secured to examine
and certify to tho insanity Of the prisoner One Of
the ply scans attempted to justify thecircumstance
although the magistrate did not comment on the fact
A QUESTION OF AUTHORSHIP.