The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-07-29
Set Fire to New Issue Periodi-
Gals Just OFF Press.
PUT FLAMES OUT QUICKLY
Waterman Decoyed to Second
Floor, Then "Bang," No. 1.
Two Other Dynamite Reports
Within Four Minutes.

bombs exploded beneath the floor of
the Menace publishing plant at
Aurora, at AIS o'clock this morning,
slightly damaged the publishing cem-
pany plant and set fire to a mass OF
copies of the Menace, an anti-Catho-
lie publication, just off the press.
Although the publishers of the pa
per and citizens generally are inclined
to believe that it was mere coinci-
dent, the fact that the edition of
the paper contained an article in OPP
position to the candidacy of Cornelius
Roach for the Democratic nomination
for governor caused some comment
The first explosion, quickly followed
by another, occurred beneath a Goss
press which had just completed the
months edition of the Menace. In
four minutes another bomb was ex-
ploded.
The explosions set fire to the papers
fresh from the folder, but the Aurora
fire department, half a block AWAY.
arrived On the scene Immediately and
extinguished the fire with chemical
apparatus.
Waterman Called Fire Department.
1t has not been determined how the
bombs were set or exploded. It was
possible for persons to have crawled
beneath the building by way of chan
nels which had been cut for the laying
of heating pipes and electrical wiring.
John Ray, night Waterman, was
called to the second floor of the build
ing few seconds before the explo-
sion by a noise which appeared to
come. from the upper part of the
building He was on the second floor
when the first explosion occurred and
hastily left the building to cali the
fire department. By the time the
third explosion came, four minutes
later, several citizens were on the
scene, awakened by the shock of the
explosion.
Among the first arrivals at the
scene was B. o. Flowers, chairman Of
the editorial force who had a room
above the restaurant, near the Menace
building. He assisted in extinguish-
ing the flames
Fear More Bombs There.
On account of fear of more explo-
sions the building was closed by city
authorities for a short time. Electri-
clans are preparing to make an in
vestigation of the situation with a
view of ascertaining the nature of the
bombs and the method adopted by the
dyne miters.
Went to Press Day Early.
From the location of the explosions
it was believed an attempt was made
to destroy all of the publishing COM
pauy's presses. This weeks issue of
the Menace, dated August 8, carried
several election articles. 1t is custom
AIRY to start the presses Saturday but
in an effort to defeat n candidate for
governor in the state, the Missouri
publication had been printed and
mailed Friday. Workmen who began
shortly after the wreckage was clear
ed expected to have the presses run
ming in few hours. The greatest
damage was done to the floor near
the back part of the building.
/ Can't Find Bomb Remnants.
/ 1t was ascertained this morning that
an entrance might have been effected
by means of a window, a wooden gate
of which was found open. other
theories of the explosion are being in
vestigated, one of them being that the
shock might have been the result of
from heat due to the burning of
refuse in the furnace room by the
Waterman. No evidence of explosives
has been secured.
! Manager Expresses Theory.
Springfield, Mo-, July 29.-Marion
Brown, managing editor of the Men
ace, expressed the opinion who caused
the explosion had entered a window
in the rear of the publishing COM
pany's building.
1.-The man then apparently went
downstairs into the basement" said
Mr.. Brown. "a hole had been left in
the wall SO that plumbers and cleo
tricians might work under the main
floor of the building. The intruder
must have crawled through this and
placed the bombs directly under the
presses"
Mr. Brown said no effort had been
made to ascertain the extent of the
damage pending arrival of officers
from Mount Vernon.
1--WE have not permitted anyone to
go under the floor" said Brown, land
we therefore have had no opportunity
to ascertain the makeup of the
bombs"
Offers $1,000 Reward.
A reward of $1,000 was offered by
Mr.. Brown for the arrest of the person
responsible for the explosion.
The Menace building is a two-story
brick structure with a frontage of 100
feet and a depth of $50 feet The
press room is fifty feet long and fifty
feet wide and is in the southeast cor
nor of the building on the ground
floor.
1.-The issue for the week of August 5
was on the press and had been run
ming since yesterday at noon" said Mr..
Brown.
1--WE will insert the offer of reward
in the remainder of the issue and hope
to continue mailing this afternoon"
Mr.. Brown said the Menace had re-
ceived many threatening letters there
there had been no direct threat to
| destroy the plant.
Mr.. Brown estimated the damage
would not exceed $1,000, although he
said it might be greater.
Put BIoodhounds on Trail.
Sheriff Charles Terry of Lawrence
| county reached Aurora shortly before
noon and at once began an investiga-
ton of the explosion. Before his ar
rival, bloodhounds were taken to the
plant and a trail was found which the
, dogs followed for several blocks
. Then it was lost
Undoubtedly the men responsible
for the explosion got in motor car al
= the point where the trail was lost. -