The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1880-06-28
FATAL ACCIDENT.
Two Person. MORALLY wounded by the
Bursting ora cannon Mt the Dem.
ocraue Jubilee saturday
Night.

Saturday night at about halt.past seven
o'clock, as a salute Of numerous rounds
was being fred as a part OF the Demo-
cratic ratification jolliGcation, an accident,
seemingly unavoidable, but nevertheless
heartrendipg, put a sudden termination to
that part OF the celebration. The cannon
used was very heavily.made one, and
was cast in 1910 for use BY the Wings in
that memorable campaign. On this oc-
casion It had been charged with two sacks
Of powder, and g Plece oil sod rammed
down upon 1t. Major Sweeney, under
whose supervision the firing vas done, had
made the crowd Of spectators fall back TO q
distance OF fifty or sixty yards from the
gun, and having lighted the fuse, had him:
self Joined them, when the charge ignited
and the cannon, with a peculiar defamation
BURST INTO FRAGMENTS,
which were hurled in all directions with
terrific force. One piece just grazed Major
Sweeney and struck a lad fifteen years Of
age, named John Neidert, who stood be,
side the Major. The missile struck the
boy on the head, carrying away the right
half OF the forehead with the eye and a
portion Of the brain. Another, or, as some
conjecture from the surroundings and the
position OF the two persons, the same
niece. struck young man named Hugh
McCarrick, literally scalping him, and
breaking his skull. Both the wounded
Young men were carried to their homes,
Neidert worked in the Belmont mills, as.
sisting an older brother in the work Of
blueing nails. His elder brother being
married, and younger one not old
enough to work, he was the main support
OF his widowed mother. This poor woman
was nearly frantic with grief, and was re
strained with difficulty from coming
into the room to look upon
THE HORRIBLE SPECTACLE OF HER MuTIIATEr
| BOY.
The boy was great favorite in the
neighborhood OF his home, which was a
the corner OF Jacob and Twenty.secont
streets. DR.. Wunderlich did all that the
physicians skill was capable Of for thu
boy, but he died at about nine o'clock
McCarrick lived on Wood street, south o
Twenty-third. Drs. Edwards and Silvey
we're summoned, and exerted their skill
to the utmost, but the mans life hung lonI
in the scale, and at late hour last nigh
he was reported in precarious condition
A man named Carney was standing in
the crowd when the gun burst, and I
fragment scraped his shoulder, carrying
away a portion OF his coat. Another
piece was hurled into the air, and fell in
| to the croquet grounds OF the Female
College, aiighting within few feet o
Miss Taylor, the President. Another
piece was blown nearly a quarter OF {
mile, falling on the point Of the hill.
The statement that the gun had beer
loaded with iron filings is incorrect
A quantity OF these had been procured
for use after dark in producing showe
OF sparks. But none Of these were uset
up to the time OF the accident.
Some OF the benevolent nelghbors OF thu
two unfortunate men have started col
lection for the benefit OF Neidert's mothe
and McCarrick's wife. No more deserv
ing or needy objects OF charity can b.
found, and It will be reproach TO gu
citizens II the collection is not liberal.
|