Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1917-12-24
BANKERSHOT
TO DEATHS
PEORIA DEED
Sunday Tragedy is Staged
Behind Locked Doors
in Still City.

Peoria, Ill. Dec. 24.-Ihe STATE
Trust and Savings bank, scene OF
yesterdays tragedy in which Pres
ident f, A. Strause shot and
killed Cashier Berne NJ. Mead, OPP
ened its doors as usual at 8 o'clock
this morning.
Statements of the hanks direc.
tors that the shooting had no con-
nectiOn with the banks affairs
served to allay any public feel
ing and there was no indication OF
run on the bank this morning.
A few women appeared to withdraw
savings accounts, but nearly all went
away leaving their deposits when as
sureds the banks solVency. A detail
of police was early on the scene but
at the request of bank officers was
withdrawn shortly after the doors
were opened. There was no need for
the officers.
Slayer Peaceful Sleeper.
Strause, slayer of Mead, slept peace
fully in the detention room at the CEN
trail police station and did not arise
until late. The usual prison break
fast was not served him. he having or
dered breakfast sent in from local
hotel
Coroner ". d. Elliott began prepar-
atoms this morning for opening the
inquest some time this afternoon. He
planned to choose his jury early and
TO take them to the bank before open
ing the inquest.
Men Fought Alone.
Strause's version of the tragedy is
as yet the only one available, as the
men fought behind locked doors In
room at the bank.
The shooting occurred at noon Sun
day when many people were passing.
Loud talking within the building
caused the curious to pause, and a
moment later one shot was heard.
After an interval there were two 9TH
ers.
While detective. a physician and
Strause were with Mead, who was NOR
tally wounded. Mrs. Mead endeavored
to gain admittance to the building, but
did not succeed until her husband was
dead.
Mr.. and Mrs Mead had an appoint
ment at the bank, it is said. But
chance interfered and Mead, instead
of meeting his wife, encountered
Strause. The quarrel developed and
came to fatal end.
In the statement issued on behalf of
Strause, Attorney We'll says:
we have talked with Mr.. Strause
and also with others who seem to
know about this terrible affair. We
have not had time to investigate all
the fact. We have every reason to
know that the affairs Of the bank are
in no way affected by the homicide.
1.-THE trouble between the men arose
over the refusal of Mr. Strause to put
price on his bank stock, which Mr..
Mead hoped to buy in order to elect
himself as president.
Pleads Self-Deiense.
After some words over such re-
fusal of Mr. Strause, Mr.. Mead as
saulted him and in the struggle was
beaten. He suddenly fired shot at
Mr.. Strause and missed him. To pro-
tect himself Mr.. Strause fired two
shots at the enraged man, who was
graphing with him in an effort to put
his revolver into firing position.
Which or how many of them struck
Mr. Mead we do not know. We only
know that Mr. Mead is dead and that
Mr.. Strause acted wholly in necessary
self-defense.
I'VE understand that the directors
of the bank-and they are in a posi-
ton to know the facts-youch for the
solvency of the bank and its ability.
if called upon to do so. to pay in cash
as fast as it may be demanded any
funds it holds on deposit"
Mead had been at the Creye Occur
| club talking with Thomas Lovelace OF
/ the Corning distillery He left a few
minutes before noon, stating that he
was going over to the bank. which is
directly across the street.
/ Strause had spent most Of the MORN
| ing at the Jefferson hotel, also across
the street from the bank building. on
another corner. telling his associates
/ that he was going to the bank and
I that he would return in 10 minutes
( IT was shortly afterward that the
shots were heard. Detective Clifford
was the first police officer to respond
/ TO the call. He found the bank door
! locked. He hammered on the door
and soon Strause. blood spattered and
his clothing torn to shreds, appeared
and admitted the detective
Finds Man unconscious.
Strause led Detective Clifford down
the lobby of the bank. back through
the cages to the northeast corner oil
| the room, where Mead was found, un.
/ conscious. He was lying face up
ward. arms stretched. and about a foo
from his hand was a 3S-calibre re-
volver, one chamber of which was
empty. He fell about 20 feet from
where he was shot. as shown by the
trail of blood. Two chambers in tht
revolver Strause had were empty, i
is said
/ Clifford says that Mead was aliv.
and bleeding from wound in the fore
head. After disarming Strause tn,
detective ran to the door and cailet
Dr. Albert Well who was passing. TIL,
physician, however, could do nothing
and Mead died without regaining con
seriousness.
II yaC while Dr WaiI uroS avan,:n