The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1889-02-23
A VHHBLNG BOY IS HURT
By an Insane Prank Of His COL
Iege Mates in Connecticut,
BOMB ExPLoDEs IN HIS HAND
Aud Two OF His Fingers Have to be
Amputated-The Early ExaggeF-
ated and Distressing Reports
Corrected Later,

The intelligence was received in this
city yesterday morning through a prl,
yate dispatch to Mr., William P, Hub
bard, that Nelson @. Hubbard, his son,
had been badly hurt by an accident at
the Wesleyan University, at Middletown,
Conn, where he is a member Of the
sophomore class, The first advIces We're
vague, and the report was circulated that
his hand had been blown of by a burst
ing cannon with which Washington's
birthday was being ushered in, Later
1t was stated that Rdynamite bomb had
exploded in his hand, not only mangIing
that member badly, but also decorating
his face and inhlCting serious woundsin
the abdomen, This story provedto be
substantially correct,
Mr.. and Mrs. Hubbard left at once for
Middletown, Nelson Is their eldest
child, q bright and manly boy OF nine
teen, whose college career SO far has
given much promise. The accident
caused genera. regret among the wide
circle Of friends Of the family, and all
will be glad to know that authentic ad.
vices last night were that the injuries
were not. fatal, but that their extent
would probably be the loss oftwo fingers.
The Associated Press sent out several
stories OF the affair, the first OF which,
received here early In the afternoon,
dated New Haven, was Us follows:
Nelson O. Hubbard, OF Wheeling, w,
Va, q freshman at Wesleyan College, at
Mlddletown, was severely injured at
that institution last night and was
brought to the hospital In this city. He,
with several friends, was celebrating
Washington's birthday by firing off fire
crackers In their rooms. Some one
threw a large cracker into Hubbard's
room and he picked 1t up, when tick
ploded In his right hand. The hand
was badly mutilated and the first two
fingers were amputated,
Later q more correct account came to
hand, as follows:
NGw HAVEN, Cont, Feb, 22,-The
Unions special from Middletown shows
that the explosion at the Wesleyan col
lege last night was caused by dynamite
instead OF cannon crackers. The special
says About midnight last night the
inmates OF the North college building at
Wesleyan were aroused by an explosion
which shook every beam and rafter In
the old building, and called to mind the
blowing up OF the Park Central hotel, at
Hartford. The report could BIZ heard in
every quarter Of the town.
The explosion was caused by a dyna.
mite bomb thrown by some foolhardy
student on the fourth floor OF the build
ing, 1t shattered doors and windows,
tore a hole down through two floors, and
knocked out several yards Of plaatering.
In Observatory Hall the SAME outrage
was perpetrated, only with greater effect,
The halls OF both buildings IRE this
morning filed with plaster, wood, glass,
etc., in such quantities. that 1t seems i'm.
possible o dynamite cartridge could have
made such havoc.
The worst feature OF 1t all is the acct
dent to N. Q. Hubbard, a son OF Mr.. W.
p. Hubbard, Of West Virginia. After
tho explosion in North College, young
Hubbard ventured out OF his room to
ascertain the cause OF the racket. He
was no sooner In the hall than he saw a
small missile lying on the floor near his
door, and picked . un. IT was q dyna'
mite cartridge or bomb, and immediate,
ly exploded In his hand.
The palm Of his right hand was terri.
bly, lacerated, his eyes badly cut and
pieces entered his abdomen. 1t must
haye exploded with terrific force, as IL
threw fragpepts af bis flesh all around.
When tho injury to Mir. Hubbard be.
came known several physicians were
summoned, and they deemed his con-
dition 30 serious as t0 warrant his re-
moval 10 the hospital at New Haven,
where four fingers OF the injured hand
were ampntatea. u Is barely possible
that his hand may be sayed.
Acting President Yam lick to-day
wired Ar. Hubbard's father information
Of the accident, and was particular 10
exhonorate the young mGn from my
completely in the violation OF the rules
OF the college.
Several OF the college officials promise
the parties are caught they will be
handed oyer to the State authorities.
Most Of the Students arc inclined to
place the responsibility on members Of
the Freshman elias. Fora great number
of years II has been customary for the
Freshmen to usher in Washlngton's
birthday with some piece Of deyiltry,
and each class has stfiven 10 Guido the
other In thG oAseryRnce!ofthe custom. On
Wednesday morning President Van
Wick gave the students o very earnest
talk on the observance Of Washington's
birthday. He told them the faculty had
no objection to q dignihed observance
Of the day, but cautioned them against
ding anything 10 cast discredit GGIICc.. tho
University.