The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1907-01-10
BANK BLOWN UP
WITH A BOMB
Thrower and Cashier Are instantly
X lied.
THE CRANK DEMANDS $4,000.
While Fourth National Bank of Phila-
delphia Was Crowded at Noon Hour
a Stranger, Who Is Refused Loan,
Hurls Explosives at Vault, Blowing
Himself and Cashier to Pieces.


Philadelphia (speciaD Two men
dead, a score OF others injured, two
of whom may die, and the beautiful
interior of bank building laid in
ruins, is the result of a bomb being
dropped in the Fourth Street Nation
al Bank here Saturday by man
who had demanded loan of $4,000
for which he could show no collat-
eral.
The Identity of the perpetrator OF
the outrage is wrapped in pystery,
for he was blown to pieces by his
own engine of death. Nothing is
left to tell who he was bps bunch
of 10 keys found in a fragment OF
clothing belonging to the bomb
thrower. A plate on the ring hold
ing the keys bore the name of r.
Steele, Garner, Iowa." and the police
are looking up the man.
The other man killed by the explo-
sion was w. u. McLear, the cashier
of the bank, who had been talking
20 the stranger and had refused his
request.
Saw President First.
The man who dropped the bomb
called upon Richard II. Rushton,
president of the bank, who Is also
president Of the Philadelphia Clear
ing House Association, shortly be-
fore noon and asked for a loan of
$4,000. The president quickly con-
cluded that the man was eccentric
and turned him over to the cashier,
with the idea that the latter would
have him taken from the building.
Before leaving Mr.. Rushton the man
showed him a picture of a woman
and a child, with the remark: Amt
they all right?"
A few moments later there was a
terrific explosion, which shook the
big building and completely wrecked
the interior of the bank
Cashier McLear was in his Office
when the man threw the bomb and
was instantly killed. With the eX-
ception of his right arm and shoulder
he was not mangled.
The most seriously injured is Will
liam Crump, the colored messenger,
who made a heroic attempt to seize
the object which the man was about
10 drop from his raised hand, but
he was an instant too late. The
messenger is badly torn and if he
survives his terrible injuries he pro-
badly will be blind
Eight of the bunch of 10 keys
found are small and fiat and similar
TO those used in opening tin boxes.
One is for a Yale lock and the other
is a large door key. The keys have
been photographed by the police and
the pictures will be sent to various
cities in the hope of finding a clue
which will clearly establish the iden-
tity of the bombthrower. A descrip-
tion of the man, given by President
Rushton, has been telegraphed t
Garner, Iowa, and other towns in
that section of the West.
Largest Bank In The City.
The Fourth Street National Bank
is the largest financial institution in
the city and occupies the greater por-
tion of the first floor of the Bullitt
Building on Fourh Street between
Chestnut and Walnut Streets in the
heart of the financial district. The
explosion was terrific and caused tire.
mendous excitement in the crowded
building and the street.
The crash occurred a few minutes
before IL o'clock, at a time when the
sons In hurry to transact business
before the bank closes.
No one cav the unknown man en-.
ter the bank except r. T. Shanbach
er, tho vice president, who was pass
ing out of the building on HIS way
TO luncheon. He noticed the mar
was poorly dressed, looked like I
Russian and carried a small parcel
The stranger walked straight bacl
10 the rear of the bank and asked
clerk TO direct him to the Office o
President Rushton. What took plac,
In his Office is best told by the presi
dent himeelf
President Rushton's Story.
81 was very busy when the mar
entered my office" said Mr. Rushton
land | asked him TO be seated for
moment. He was very poorl.
dressed, had patches on his shoe
and his entire appearance made m
a bit courteous. While he was wait
ing for me TO finish the business
had in hand at the moment
happened to notice that he looked a
me very curiously. | asked him hi
business and he save his name as C
r. Williams al said he wanted
loan OF $1,000.
"He did not look like a man VIII
could MAKE a loan of that amour
and ! asAed him for collateral. II
said solnething about an insuranc
policy ind that It would mature 4
from one to five years. | was the
conviDc ced the man was a crank an
decided to dismiss him at once, no
for moment thinking there was an
harDl in him. I told him he woul
have TO see the cashier and directe
hin out into the banking depart
mFnt.
AS l turned to continue my wor
at the desk there was a terrific e1
plosion and / thought the buildin
was coming down. The man had nc
alma fr Voaob Tho ooobfa, b, D.,