The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-06-12
RESIDENCE DYNAMITED
TO KILL A SOLDIERS
HOME GOVERNOR AND FAMILY.
House Occupied by Gen. A. j. Smith
Near LeavenwOrth, Kan, Wrecked
and His Wife Seriously Hurt.

LEAVENWORTH, Kan, June 11-An at
tempt was made on the life of Governor
Andrew j. Smith, of the National Soldiers
Home, and his wife and daughter, between
4 and o'clock this morning. Dynamite
was employed in the outrage and the ex-
plosion, which all but demolished the Gov
ernor's beautiful residence, aroused the
people of this city. Mrs. Smith had a mar
row escape from death, the base of the ex-
plosion being directly beneath her bed
chamber Besides being cut and bruised by
broken glass and pieces of flying bric-a-
brac and furniture, she was prostrated by
the shock, and is now in a precarious con-
dition. Governor Smith and their daughter
Miss Daisy, occupied rooms on the second
floor and were far enough removed from
the explosion to escape the serious con-
sequences suffered by Mrs Smith.
The residence is q scene of wreckage. The
brick walls are torn and cracked one side
being almost completely blown out. The
windows are shattered and the debris is
scattered over the grounds for q distance
of several rods. The interior is a scene
of confusion and destruction with bric-a-
brac and furnishings utterly wrecked The
report of the explosion was distinctly heard
in this city, three miles away, and many
residents were aroused by the shock. which
was not unlike the trembling produced by
an earthquake. Veterans in the barracks
were thrown from their cots and panic
was with difficulty prevented.
Governor Smith attributes the attempt on
his life and that of his family as direct
result of the persecution that, he claims,
has been waged against him during the
past five or six years. The veterans at the
home are standing by him manfully and
swear they will lynch the perpetrator if he
be caught Joseph W. oliver a dishonor-
ably discharged veteran, has been arrested
by the police of this city. Evidence against
him is strong. He had just come to his
room after being out all night His clothes
were bedraggled and he said he was sorry
the explosion had not killed the Governor,
as he deserved such fate. Oliver bears
a bad reputation and a few months ago
was arrested and punished for deliberately
shooting into an electric car. few nights
ago John BiringerS powder magazine was
robbed, and it is believed the robber is the
one who caused the explosion.
Many friends of Governor Smith and his
family in this city went to the home to
offer assistance, and the authorities are ac-
tive In their efforts to hunt down the per-
petrators Threats to blow up the governor
have been freely made by discharged vet
Grams since the national board of mana
gers made the order transferring Col. Smith
to the Pacific branch home at Santa Mon
lea, Cal A number of veterans have threat
ened to take the Governors life during the
past few years. Many imagined he had
wronged them, and they thought revenge
was due them Both the members and the
officers of the home took sides in an open
fight on Colonel Smith. which finally re-
suited in his being transferred to the Santa
Monica branch. The congressional invest-
cation of the governors management of the
home was directly due to charges brought
by DR. J. L. Weaver some years ago.
Late this afternoon Oliver was taken be-
fore H. Miles Moore, United States COM
missioner. who placed him under bonds of
nraliminATV nearing
place next Tuesday morning. Oliver has
been committed to Jail.