The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1904-11-10
DllRoLIekl ACT PERFORATED.
Attempt to Wreck Henderson Graded
School Building-Thc Steam lit af:ng
Boiler Blown Up Saturday Night
Powerful Explosive Used.

BOlIcf DIOWH up odSuNdS ihS"
Powerful Explosive Used.
One of the most diabolical acts
that ever shocked this community
was perpetrated Saturday night when
an attempt was made to wreck the
Henderson Graded School building.
Between 8 and 10 O'Clock the town
was startled by powerful explosion.
1t was soon ascertalned that the
boiler used for heating the Graded
School building had been blown up.
Some powerful explosive, believed to
be dynamite, was used for the pur-
pose. The explosion was terrific AID
houses were shaken and window
panes ratified at a considerable dis
lance from the scene OF the wreck.
The boiler was completely torn to
pieces and hurled thirty or forty feet
away after being blown against the
rock wall (basement) OF the building.
The timbers which composed the
small frame structure in which the
boiler was located were scattered in
every direction, no two being fastened
together. The fence close by was de-
mOlished ald the sidewalk was COW
cred with the wreckage, the force OF
which would probably have been sui
ficient to kill any chance passer by.
Beside slight injury to the rock wall
flying timbers had crashed through
the weather boarding in several
places and nearly every window on
that side of the building had been
broken, either by the conclusion or
f;ing pieces of timber Even the
sashes nearest the boiler were smash
ed out as completely as the work
could have been done with an axe.
There had been no fire in the boiler
Saturday and when the scene was
reached few minutes after the ex-
plosiOn it was perfectly cold.
That it was the work of some mis-
creant admits of no doubt. Pieces of
fuse were found close by, together
with a string with which the package
was probably tied up. Dynamite is
believed to have been the explosive
used. All the circumstances point to
this as we'll as the fact that there was
a large quantity of it. The charge
was placed in the fre-boX or ash-pan
under the boiler and the fuse applied:
Then hasty retreat WAS made out
the back way and the diabolical deed
was done. Who did it Or the motive
therefor is mystery.
There are several theories but no
clue to the guilty parties. The opin-
ion has been expressed that some one
who was mad because the dispensary
was closed Saturday afternoon did
it through spite. The Graded School
gets part of the dispensary money
and they wanted in this way to
wreak vengeance against this insti-
tuition on that account. But that
idea meets with but little encourage
ment. 1t is not believed that the
dispensary had anything to do with
it, whether opened or closed Satur-
day
The patrons of the school are thor
Oughly outraged and great indigna-
ton isexpressed. Coupled with some
things that have been done hereto
fore this last act makes it all the
worse. Something. must be done to
put ii stop to such. No efforts should
be spared to discover and punish the
guilty ones ii possible. And the GOLD
LEAF believes it is possible. The
patrons of the school demand it.
Nor will they stand for it any longer
if something is not done. They do
not know whether their children are
safe or not. Ii an attempt is made
to blow up the school building in the
night why not in the day time? 1t
has been done. and if one time why
not another? Because one effort
failed is no reason another may not
be made if this sort of, thing is allow
ed to go on and the guilty ones un-
detected and UNPUBLISHED.
Gentlemen of the Board of Trustees,
it is up to you do your full duty in
the premises. And in your efforts to
locate and place the blame where it
belongs you should have the co-opera-
ton and sympathy of all good citi-
zens OF the community, whether pat
rOns OF the school or not.
The damages to the school build
ing We're repaired as far as possible,
stoves were put in to take the place
OF steam heat and school opened
Monday as usual.