Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1892-04-27
THE EXPLOSION
In the Restaurant of NJ. Very--How the
Anarchist secreted the Bomb Under the
Table and Lighted the Fuse.

The truth is the people OF Paris are
panic stricken at the audacity OF the
Anarchists. The feeling of fear is
heightened by the apparent impotency
OF the police to prevent the Anarchists
from committing outrages when and
where they please.
The recent raids made by the police
upon lodgings occupied by Anarchists
and the arrest OF over 200 persons sus-
pected Of being engaged in conspiring
against the peace, led the people TO be-
lieve for the time that the authorities
were fully able to cope with the Anar-
chists, but last nights explosion, which
occurred at the very time policeman
was guarding the front door OF the cafe,
has caused revulsion OF feeling and il
may be said that all sense OF security
has been lost and people don't know
where to turn for protection.
There was a reason for last nights
outrage. 1t was in NJ. Very's Cafe that
Ravachol, the Anarchist, whose trial is
fixed for to-day, was arrested, and IL
was TO M. Very and one OF his walters
that the police were indebted for the
information that led TO his capture.
The Government rewarded nj. Very
and the waiter for the information they
had furnished, and the friends OF the
prisoner threatened them with dire
vengeance. The Government sought To
prevent these threats from being car
ried into effect, and detailed a special
guard to watch the premises.
In spite OF these precautions, the An
archists succeeded in blowing the place
up, and the result is that confidence
has been lost in the efficiency OF the po-
lice, and Paris is given over emporiarly,
to mild reign OF terror. The G0uletS
and Mdtin this morning openly re-
proach the government with incompe.
tency and demanded that something be
done and done Immediately to put an
end to the outrages.
So strong is the feeling OF fear that
many OF the residents Of the city and
foreign visitors are leaving or making
hurried preparations TO leave.
The opinion seems to prevail that the
anarchists, not only In France, but else
where, are resolved to force the world
to take serious notice of their existence
and doctrines.
The report that NJ. Very had died
from the effects OF injuries was incor-
rect 1t is said at the hospital to-day
that it is thought his recovery is pos
sibe.
His wife and daughter, Jeanne, were
badly burned about their faces, but il is
not thought that their condition is
serious, though they are suffering a
great deal from the shock.
Paul Hammond, printer, who was
in the restaurant at the time OF the ex-
plosion, is horribly wounded in various
parts OF his body. His condition is crit
ical. Another printer was severely
burned.
The other injured persons are pro-
crossing toward recovery.
L'Herot, the waiter In M. Very's res
taurant, who Informed the police OF
Ravachol dining there, received an
anonymous letter yesterday in which it
was said: "If Ravachol Is condmned
tomorrow, remember that at the same
hour you will be attacked by the en-
gines of our vengeance"
A representative Of the Associated
Press had an interview with L'Herot to-
day. He said that abont o'clock last
evening party consisting OF three
women and three men dined in the res
taurant. They engaged him in conver-
sation, and asked whether In view OF
the part he had taken in the arrest OF
Ravachol, he would not be afraid that
the friends of the Anarchists would not
seek vengeance upon him. L'Herot re-
piled casually and turned the converse
tion.
Since the arrest Of Ravachol, the res
taurant had gained great celebrity, and
many fashionable people, ladies and
gentlemen, went there out Of curiosity
and dined. L'Herot was usually pres
ent, and the customers made IL prac-
tice to talk with him about RayachOl.
The conversation did not, therefore, ex-
cite any suspicion in his mind that per-
haps the party were friends OF Ravachol
and were themselves seeking revenge.
He regarded the matter lightly until
after the explosion. Then he recalled
several significant incidents that had
occurred. After dinner the women de-
parted from the restaurant first. One
OF the men paid the bill OF the party
and then went toward the door, which
he held open. One OF his companions
placed q parcel under the table beside
the counter, while the third man
ignited match and lighted cigarette.
Prior to lighting the cigarette, he held
the match under the table, apparently
TO avoid the sulphurous vapor emitted.
After the cigarette was lighted both
men hastily Joined their companion,
who was still at the door. and all quick
Iy departed down the Rue Lancey. Soon
afterward the explosion occurred. The
theory that the explosion was occasioned
in this manner does not agree with the
result Of the inquiry that has been made
by the municipal engineers.
The engineers believe that dynamite
bomb was placed at the threshold OF the
restaurant which had double door,
one section OF which is generally open.
The floor way at the door was covered
with iron plate. The bomb appears
to have been deposited about
four inches from this plate inside
the restaurant. The landlady OF the
hotel situated over the restaurant de-
cIares that a half hour before the ex-
plosion occurred two men dressed as
peasants, and carrying a bag between
them, applied to her for q room. She
did not like their looks and refused TO
accommodate them.
A dynamite cartridge was found last
night under the staircase in the house
of Rue d'Enghein. The contents OF 8
number OF the small bombs that were
found 10 the lodgings Of several OF the
Anarchists who have been arrested have
been anaIyzed. They were found TO
contain kiIogram Of dynamite and .
kiIogrsm Of sebastine.
Annfhar Rornh ExnIodfd