The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1896-09-17
A DIAB0LICAL PLOT
An Attempt to Blow up the Residence
of l., E. Waller Esq. Five Hundred
Dollars Reward offered.

The citizens residing in the neigh
borhood of Fifth and Centre Streets
were aroused from their slumbers last
Friday morning about 3:Is o'clock by
hearing an explosion that was not
unlike clap Of thunder some even
imagining that an earth quake had
visited us, and still others surmised
that an engine had exploded. Indeed
the noise was SO loud as to awaken
people residing even in remote sec.
tions of the town. Many of them
remained awake awhile and hearing
to no further alarm retired to sleep,
and it was not until morning dawned
that many of them learned of the
nefarious business that had been go.
ing on while they slept.
The people who lived in the i'm
mediate neighborhood however arose,
dressed themselves, and started to
investigate the matter, when Mr..
Charles Campbell who resides on the
opposite side of Fifth Street discover
ed that an attempt had been made to
blow up the house of Mr. Waller.
Mr.. Theodore Garrison who resides
on the opposite side OF Centre Street
joined him and together they discov-
cred that smoke was issuing from In
under the large veranda in front of
his residence. Mr. Waller who had
been awakened by the explosion and
conclusion appeared at the window
and inquired as to the cause of the
disturbance and upon being informed,
came down with a light and it was
discovered that the joist, roof, gable
and some of the posts Of the large
veranda had been shattered, and that
the windows in the first floor fronting
Fifth Street as well as two fronting
Centre Street had been utterly de-
molished. In addition to this, there
was large hole in the wall at the
left of the front entrance to the house
and an old chair which was highly
priced as a relic (having belonged to
William Hurley Esq.,) deceased, and
which was on the porch had been
hurled to the street and broken al.
most beyond recognition. Several
windows in the house of Mr.. Garrison
on the opposite side of Centre Street
were broken and watch was stopped
by the conclusion as were the clocks
IN the house of Mr.. Waller They
stopped at the hour of 3:I5 which
showed the hour the explosion took
place. The strange part of the whole
transaction is the fact, that whilst Mr..
Waller and family heard the noise
and felt the jar, yet they never imag-
lned it was their house. This is ac-
counted for by the fact the explosion
which it is supposed to have been a
large dynamite cap with slow fuse
was placed on the floor of the veran-
da next to the wall aud having no
solid foundation the force of the ex-
ploslon was downward and outward
and the noise was carried from them
to the street. Several dynamite caps
and fuse we're stolen the aame night
from the stone quarry of c. P. Arm
strong and that leads to the supposi-
ton as to the explosive used. 1t is
evident that the motive of the fend
was to do bodily harm to Mr.. Waller
as the explosive was placed under his
bedroom window and he was only
foiled in his diabolical scheme either
through a want of proper knowledge
OF explosives, or for want of time, as
had 1t been placed on a solid founda-
ton In all probability it would have
utterly destroyed the house. Miss
Agnes Garrison says that in addition
10 the report at 3:I5 she heard two
others, one about I2 o'clock and one
about two, but as they sounded like
the discharge Of gun no attention
was paid to it. Mr.. Waller and fami-
ly are to be congratulated upon their
escape and it is to be hoped that the
wretch will be apprehended and
brought to justice. A special meet
ing of the Town Council was held
Saturday afternoon with all the men,
bers present. President Holmes stat
cd that the object of the meeting was
10 take some action looking toward
the apprehension of the party who
attempted to blow up the residence
OF Mr.. Waller. Upon motion OF Mr..
Corey seconded by Mr.. Richards it
was resolved to offer a reward of
FIVE Hundred dollars for the arrest
and conviction of the party and
TINS action meets with the hearty APP
probation of the taxpayers.