Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1908-01-05
OFFICIALS Ar LOSS FOR MOTIVE
One Theory is That the Explosive Had
Been Hidden Away by Safe Wreck
ers for Future Use-Eisht Persons
Were Injured. But None Fatally
Panic Au,pns Customers.
lPy Associated pressl

4Nh-NpFhJ No. 4NO's "a
bomb was exploded today in the base
men; of The magnificent three story
marble building OF the First National
bank ats the corner of Tenth and
Baltimore streets. in the business
center, a few minutes after the noon
hour.
The force OF The explosion was ter
rife and caused much damage. Eight
persons were injured, none fatally.
There is no clue TO the person VINO
placed the bomb and set 1t off
The injured:
Ebert Ward, negro porter. condi
ton serious.
Logan Wilson. bank clerk.
]. Donaldson, bank clerk.
Vatican Brightwell, clerk.
r. M. Klapmeyer, clerk.
Joseph Peck. carpenter
II. w. Cole.
Charles Grant.
None of the persons injured was
dangerously hurt.
Was Supposed to be Gas,
John F. Pelleter. superintendent of
the fire insurance patrol, who was in
the banking rooms at the time of the
explosion, and e. f. SWINE, presi-
dent OF the bank, are authority for
the statement that the explosion was
the result of bomb set off by some
person unknown to them At first
II was supposed to have resulted from
leaking natural gas. Neither we're
able to give any cause for the COM
mission OF the act. The bank was
crowded with customers at the time.
these together with the employees.
numbering $50 persons. A panic en-
sued and there was wild scramble
forthe doors.
The First National bank building
is one of the most beautiful struc-
TIRES in the city. 1t was only finish
ed last year, and cost close to $1,000
900. The main floor was occupied by
the bank, which is the largest finan-
cial institution in Kansas City. The
Two upper stories are occupied prin-
cipally by real estate and other firms.
Investigation developed the fact that
the bomb had been placed in a tot
let room in the northwest corner in
the basement, 90 feet from the main
vault. The toilet room was Is by 90
feet square and was separated from
the adjoining room by three inch
plaster partition. This partition was
supported by steel post.
The Whole Building Shook.
Tho bomb struck the post with
such force as to bend 1t foot out of
position, wrecked the partition and
plumbing, and sent a cloud of dust
up the wide stairway leading to the
banking rooms. Half a dozen base
ment windows with steel rods pro-
tecting them were blown out into
Baltimore avenue and across the
street The building was shaken as
If by an earthquake. The explosion
was felt in all parts OF the city. Mr..
Pellcter. who was standing at the
paying tellers window. when the ex-
plosion shook the building, said:
Following the explosion {perea was
a great volume OF smoke ana dust
which poured up the stairway into
the banking room. TlN bank was an
usually wei hiled With people. At
the moment OF theexplosion the crowd
turned and rushed for the south door,
ieauihs INTO Zenith street. / called
out in iouf voice for quiet. Shout
ing that mere was no danger. and
rushed Igr the stair. When reached
me staa..rway powder and smoke werS
pouring up the entrance way. CROP
ca ny way down the stairs and at the
sotton found Ward, the negro Dor
ter. carried him upstairs where
others took care Of him and returned
TO the basement where was soon
able to make an investigation. The
smell Of the powder and the heat
made II cert9in that the explosion
had resulted from a bomb being set
OFF. There /was no trace of the bomb
thrower, add as yet have not been
able to find any tangible manner in
which tae missile was placed.
Cant Find a Motive.
Logon Wilson, another of the in
Njure& was in the basement at the
A ttatsNltIf i