The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1907-01-11
BANK BLOWN UP
WITH A BOMB
ThrOwer and Cashier Are Instantly
Killed.
the CRANK DEMANDS $4,000.


delphia Was Crowded at Noon Hour
a Stranger, Who Is Refused a Loan,
Hurls Explosives at Vault, Blowing
Himself and Cashier to Pieces.
Philadelphia (SpeciaD Two men
dead, score of others injured, two
of whom may die, and the beautiful
interior of a bank building laid IN
ruins, is the result Of bomb being
dropped in the Fourth Street Nation
al Bank here Saturday by man
who had demanded loan of So, 900
for which he could show no collat-
eraly
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 fragment OF
clothing belonging to the bomD-
thrower. A plate on the ring hold
ing the keys bore the name OF n.
Steele, Garner, Iowa." and the ponce
are looking up the man.
The other man killed by the explo-
sion was W. 2. 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 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 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,
who made 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 fat and similar
to those used in opening tin boxes.
One is for 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 the iden-
tity 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-
ton 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 ire
mendous excitement in the crowded
building and the street.
The crash occurred few minutes
before IL O'Clock, at a time when the
bank is usually well filled with per-
sons in hurry to transact business
before the bank closes.
No one saw the unknown man en-
ter the bank except E. F. Shanbach-
er, the vice president, who was pass
ing out of the building on his way
to luncheon. He noticed the man
was poorly dressed, looked like a
Russian and carried 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.
II was very busy when the man
entered my Office" said Mr.. Rushton,.
land l 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 1
had in hand at the moment 1
happened to notice that he looked at
me very curiously. I asked him his
business and he gave his name as G.
E. Williams and said he wanted a
loan of $4,000.
He did not look like man who
could make loan of that amount
and I asked him for collateral. He
said something about an insurance
policy and that it would mature in
from one to five years. l 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. I told him he would