DASTARDLY DEED-Attempt to Blow Up a Residence 1893

GRUNSTEIN

Posted By: Cheryl Locher Moonen (email)
Date: 1/31/2017 at 12:54:21

The Dubuque Herald, Sept. 18, 1893
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DASTARDLY DEED
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Attempt to Blow Up the Residence of
a Minister at Monticello
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MONTICELLO, Sept. 18 – A dastardly attempt was made last Friday night to blow up the residence of Rev. E. E. Grunstein, pastor of the German Reformed Church, during his absence. Mrs. Grunstein’s attention was directed to the cellar by one of the children, who heard someone there. After putting a child to bed, she went to investigate and found that some murderous person had wrapped a three gallon can of gasoline in a thick quilt, which was to do the purpose of a slow fuse. The quilt was nearly consumed by fire. With great presence of mind, having only her sleeping children in her thoughts, the heroic woman snatched the burning quilt from the can and hurried to an outer door with both, only to be found to be fastened on the outside. A scream brought her son, and the door was hurriedly opened. The can was blackened with heat, but an opened vent delayed the explosion. Mrs. Grunstein’s hands were badly burned. The pastor is popular with his congregation, and it contains no enemy, but there is one unknown enemy who premeditated the destruction of his entire family, which is an interesting one, with a wide musical reputation. His barn was burned a few weeks ago.