Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1904-11-22

Omaha, Nov 22.-The home Of Elmer
r. Thomas, a prominent lawyer ana
attorney for the civic federation, was
badly wrecked by bomb placed on the
front porch at Q o'clock this morning.
Thomas and his family were In the
house at the time and he considers IL
miraculous that none were injured.
Mrs. Thomas was awakened by
noise on the front porch and aroused
her husband, believing burglars We're
trying to enter the house. Mr.. Thomas
began an investigation and discovered
: fire on the front porch. He picked
up a large rug and attempted to snotn-
<r the flame when terrific explosion
occurred. Altho but few feet from
the missile he escaped injury. The
front wall Of the house was blown In,
the doors shattered, and an immense
hole torn in the ground The interior
OF the building was wrecked. A squad
OF police were on the scene in short
time, but no clue to the perpetrators
OF the deed could be found. The man
had evidently made a hasty escape af-
ter setting fire to the fuse which ex-
ploded the bomb. Thomas saw no one
leaving the premises. The explosion
was heard for three miles,
Thomas has been active for some
time in the prosecution of saloon keep
ors charged with violation of the slo-
cum law, which provides for midnight
and Sunday closing of saloons. He
also has been flctinng for the civic fed
GRAFTON In haheas corpus proceedings,
by which Thomas Dennison has sought
TO avoid being taken into Iowa in con-
nection with the $4,000 Pollock dia-
mond robbery. 1t is to these circum-
stances that Thomas attributes the at
tack on his home.
Whence came the we'll nigh success
full attack on the life Of Elmer e. Tho
mas, attorney for the civic federation
Of Omaha and the jewelers. Protec-
tive Association is the question agita-
ting police circles In Omaha. Mr.. Tho
mas offers two solutions, his fight "a
rainst illegal saloons in Omaha and his
position as the principal prosecutor OF
Tom Dennison, wanted in Harrison
county for completely in the famous
diamond robbery perpetrated by the
notorious Frank Shercliffe, November
1, 1892 II public suspicion were put
into words 1t would accuse Dennisop
as the instigator Of the murderous at
tack which included whole family IN
the attempt to end the life Of Attorney
Thomas by dynamite. Dennison has
Sought losing battle in the courts
since his Indictment by the Harrison
county grand jury. The decision OF
the Nebraska supreme court is fore
casted as against him in the habeas
corpus case growing out OF his des-
perate efforts to keep out of Iowa. 1t
Is matter of common report that his
money was spent freely in an unavai1-
Ing attempt to defeat an incorruptibls
man for reelection as county attorney
Of Harrison county, Iowa, where he
will be arraiened Frank Shercliffe,
the principal witness against Dennison
khas, he claims, refused $4,000 offered
as q brtbe from Dennison. Dennison's
agents have attempted to intimidate
him and drive him from the state
without success.
Dennison is IN his last ditch. The
penitentiary yawns before him. His
history is that of desperate man.
Step by step Thomas has foiled and
cornered him. Guilty or guiltless the
finger of circumstance points toward
the dynamitard as the agent of the
xDennison gang.
The Diamond Robbery.
The story that connects the attempt
on Thomas' life with Dennison goes
back to Friday, November 4, 1892 On
the evening Of that day, w. G.. Pol
lock, salesman for L. w. Pollock &
Co, Of New York City. diamond mer-
chants, was passenger in the smok-
.sng car of a Sioux City and Pacific
train. There were twelve other pas
sengers in the car. Pollock carried a
,satchel containing valuable diamonds.
His finest gems. however, worth about
$4,000, were in a pocket book in an
flnside pocket Of his vest.
When the train neared California
Function. Iowa, one OF the passengers
arose and walked back to Pollock,
showed six-shooter into his face and
demanded his diamonds. Pollock sat
still. The other passengers hid behind
the seats and cushions. The robber
smashed Pollock with q slingshot and
Pollock hoping to delude him, handed
him pocketbook. Then the despera-
do deliberately shot the salesman thru
both arms. beat him over the head with
the revolver butt. tore open his vest
and took the case, worth $4,000, picked
up one OF the salesman's grips and
dropped off the train, without any at
tempt made by the terrified occupants
OF the car to stop him. Pollock lay
bleeding and senseless on the floor.