Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1907-01-07
TWO men ARE KILLED AND
SCORE INJURED BY BOMB,
Perpetrator Of Outrage Blown To
Atoms By the Explosion of His
Own Internal Machine.

Philadelphia, Jan. 6-TwO men dead,
q score of others injured two of whom
may die, and the beautiful interior OF
a bank building laid to ruins. is the re-
suit Of a bomb being dropped in the
Fourth Street National Bank here Sat
urday by a man who had demanded
loan of $4,000 for which he could show
no collateral. The identity of the perpe-
traitor of the outrage is wrapped in
mystery, for he was blown to pieces by
his own engines of death.
Nothing is left to tell who he Is but
a bunch of 10 keys found in a frag-
ment OF clothing belonging to the
bOmb-thrOwer. plate on the ring
holding the keys bore the name of "R.
Steele. Garner, Iowa." and the police
are looking up the man. The other man
killed by the explosion was w. Il. NC
Lear, the cashier of the bank. who had
been talking to the stranger and had
refused the request.
The man who dropped the bomb
called upon Richard II. Rushton, pres
idont of the bank, who is also presi-
dent of the Philadelphia Clearing
House Association, shortly before noon
and asked for a loan of 5000. The pres
ident quickly sized him up as eccentric
and turned him over to the cashier,
with the idea that the latter would
have him taken from the building. Be-
fore leaving Mr.. Rushton. the man
showed him picture Of Il woman and
a child with the remark: "Ain't they
all right
A few moments later there was Il ter
rife explosion which shook the big
building and completely wrecked The
interior of the bank. Cashier McLcar
was in his office when the man threw
the bomb and was instantly killed.
With the exception Of his right arm and
shoulder he was not nargied.
The most seriously injured is William
Crump. the colorcd messenger, who
made heroic attempt to seize the OBJ
ject which the man was about to drop
from his raised hand. but ne was an
instant too late. The messenger is bad
" torn, and if he survives his terrible
injuries, he probably VIII ::Je blind.
Eight of the bunch of keys are small
and flat and similar to those used in
opening tin boxes. one is for Il 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
clue which will clearly establish tho
identity of the bomb-throwcr.
The description of the man given by
President Rushton has been t"le-
graphed 10 Garner. Iowa. and other
towns in that section of tho West.
a man answering the description OF
the bomb thrOwcr. earlier in the day
visited the Equitable Trust 60. on
Broad street and demanded 4 loan Of
$500 on securities nc declared 10 BE- in
his possession. Receiving Teller Nc
Dewitt whom he approached. ordered
the stranger away.
The man fumblcI in his pockets hut
finally Withdrew. II" stopped al the
doorway. however. and again fumblc1
In his pockets. \ woman patron of tho
trust company passed the man and his
eyes followed her. This. it is said d.
vertcd the mars attention and when
the Uatchman. following instructions
Of the teller. ordered him out he re-
1uctantly left the building
Shortly afterward news of The cxpio-
SION at the Fourth Street Eank reached
the trust company.