The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-02-13
DYNAMNER FAILS
TO MURDER VICTIM
Attempt Is Made to Take Life
of Aged Lynchburg
Woman.
NEARLY SUCCESSFUL
Charge of Explosive Is Placed
Near Sleeping Room of
Mrs. Mary Jones.
NEARLY SUCCESSFUL
Especial to The Times-Dlspatca1

tSpec1ai TO The Times-Dlspatch1
Lynchburg. Va, February IAN
attempt was made upon tho life OF
Mrs Mary Frances Jones this morning
about o'clock, when her home was
partially wrecked by an explosion OF
dynamite. which had been placed at
the window of her bedroom on tho
side veranda. only a short distance
from the bed in which SIrs Jones was
sleeping.
That the design of the dynamiter
failed Is due. no doubt, to the fact
that the person who located the charge
OF explosive was not familiar with
It's use, for the charge was sufficient
to have demolished tho entire resi-
dcnce IL 1t had been properly placed
Tho southeastern side of the porch
was practically demolished by the ex-
plosion, the floor being torn up for
space OF ton or twelve feet and prac-
tcaily every window light In that side
or the residence was smashed Into bits
People living In NIL parts Of tho city
were aroused by the report, and those
living nearby declare their homes were
shaken as If by severe earthquake
The police were quickly on the scene
and have been hard at work since
early morning. II is admitted that the
department has a strong clue as to
the perpetrator, and 1t is expected that
an arrest or arrests, will be made In
short time.
The motive for the crime seems well
established TO tho police, but they re-
fuse to talk for publication. 1t would
not be surprising in the least to see
mo "hoie matter cleared up within
tho next twenty-four or forty-eight
hours.
careful examination Of the veranda
shows that the explosive was placed
beneath the window opening from Mrs
Jones's bedroom The noise and con-
net
does not know how she reached the
floor. The window was shattered,
practically none OF the two large panes
remaining In the sash. With the win
dow gone, the bedchamber rapidly
filled with dense and very offensive
smoke, which was sitting She at
once concluded that the house was on
fire, not dreaming at the time that she
was an intended victim of u murderer
1t was only a few seconds before
the remainder Of those sleeping in the
home, three men and another woman,
went to the rescue OF Mrs Jones and
In short time many neighbors hav-
Ing been awakened by the noise or tho
explosion, went TO the home, and Mrs.
Jones WIS we'll cared for, though she
did not need as much attention as did
some of her friends. who grew nervous
rs the real designs dawned upon them.
Despite her eighty years, Mrs. Jones
went through the ordeal with remark
aple nerve anu com posture, anu she was
able to see her friends. many of whom
called to extend their sympathy.
1t Is apparent that the force OF the
explosion was away from the house
rather than toward II. Had the direc-
ton of the force been reversed 1t Ia
believed Mrs Jones would have been
killed.
On the foundation of the house at
the southern corner this morning could
easily been seen where the fuse lead
ing to the explosive burned. Powder
marks are evident on the white bricks.
A portion OF the burnt fuse was re-
covered By the police. and after II had
been taken to the police station a meas
urement showed that this portion was
thirty three feet in length II is be-
lievcd. however. that the fuse was at
least nifty feet in length. II is believed
the fuse was carried from the explosive
to the ground and then around the
southern corner OF the house toward
Victoria Avenue. and at a distance OF
matches were found.
Mrs. Jones stated to her friends this
morning that she thought she heard
some one walking on .ne veranda sew
eral times during the night, but not
hearing distinctly she concluded she
must be wrong. She is confident now
that she heard the man AT work in
placing the dynamite on the porch
The polce werc quickly on the scene,
but with the start that the slow burn
ing fuse gave the dynamiter. there was
little for them to do at that time.