The Mathews journal. (Mathews C.H. [Court House]) 1903-1937, 1907-01-10
BANK BLOWN Up
WITH A BOMB
Ihr0Wer and Cashier Are instantly
Killed.
THE CRANK DEMANDS $1,000.
While Fourth National Bank of PhiIa-
delphia Was Crowded at Noon Hour
a Stranger, Who Is Refused a Loan,
Hurls Explosives at Vault, Blowing
Himself and Cashier to Pieces

4
Philadelphia (SpeciaD Two men
dead, a score of others injured, two
of whom may die, and the beautiful
interior of a bank building laid in
ruins, is the result of a bomb being
dropped in the Fourth Street Nation
al Bank here Saturday by a man
who had demanded a loan of $1,000
for which he could show no collat-
eral.
The identity of the perpetrator of
the outrage is wrapped in mystery,
for he was blown to pieces by his
own engine of death Nothing is
left to tell who he was but a bunch
of 10 keys found in a fragme1. Of
clothing belonging to the bomb
thrcwer. 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 expIo-
sion was w. Y. McLear, the cashier
OF the bank, who had been talking
to the stranger and had refused his
request.
| Saw President First.
The man who dropped the bomb
called upon Richard H. 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
| $1,000. 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 woman.
and child, with the remark: "Ain't
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,
VINO made a heroic attempt to seize
the object which the man was about
to 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 Yale lock and the other
Is 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-
tlty OF the bOmbthrower. A descrip-
ton. of the man, given by President
Rushton, has been telegraphed TO
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-
lSllon of the first floor of the Buliitt
Q'lilding on Fourh Street between
| Chestnut and Walnut Streets in the
heart OF the financial district. The
explosion was terrific and caused tre-
| mendouS excitement in the crowded
building and the street.
The crash occurred a few minutes
| before = O'Clock, at a time when the
bank is usually we'll filled with per-
sons In hurry to transact business
before the bank closes.
No one saw the unknown man en-
te- the bank except e. F. Shanbach-
er, the vice president, who was mass
ing out of the building on his wav
to luncheon. He noticed the man
was poorly dressed. looked like a
Russian and carried q small parcel.
The stranger walked straight back
to the rear of the bank and asked a
clerk to direct him to the office of
President Rushton. What took place
in his office is best told by the presi-
dent himself
President RushtOn's Story.
Il was very busy when the man
entered my Office said Mr.. Rushton.
and | asked him to be seated for a
moment. He was very poorly
dressed, had patches on his shoes
and his entire appearance made me
bit courteous. While he was wait
ing for me to finish the business I
had in hand at the moment
happened to notice that he looked at
me very curiously. / asked him uI.ya
business and he gave his name as G..
r. Williams and said he wanted a
loan of $4,000.
He did not look like a man who
could make loan of that amount
ana L asked him for collateral He
said something about an insurance
policy and that it would mature in
from one to five years. / was then
convinced the man was a crank and
decided to dismiss him at once, not
for moment thinking there was any
harm in him. 7 told him he would
have to see the cashier and directed
him out into the banking depart
ment.
AS turned to continue my work
at the desk there was terrific ex-
plosion and | thought the building
was coming down. The man had not
time to reach the cashier, the explo-
sion came so soon"
Gipsies Paying Tribute.
Memphis, Tenn. (SpeciaD That