Evening star., 1926-08-25
BANK BOMBER GOES.
UNNAMED TODEATH
Police Unable to Identity
Pittsburgh Blast Author.
2 Dead, ~ Hurt.
By the Associated Press.

PITTSBURGH, Pa. August 20
The fanatic who brought death to him
self and u policeman and injury to
more than a score when he exploded
bomb in the Farmers Deposit Savings
Bank carried the secret of his identity
into the grave as far as police could
learn today.
One identification, regarded as al
most certain-that the man was a
maniac escaped from a local hospital
for the insane-was discarded when
relatives declared the bomber was not
of their family. They viewed the bad
ly mangled body at the city morgue,
where hundreds have visited in vain
attempt to identify the man.
Belt Buckle Is Clue.
A belt buckle, on which was en-
graved the letter L. was the single
bit of evidence police had upon which
to work.
The bomber, man of foreign ap-
pearance dressed in working clothes,
entered the bank yesterday and pre-.
sented a demand for $4,000 ''or I'll
blow up the bank When George &.
Ortmann, a special bank policeman
black satchel upon the floor and gave
it a kick. A violent explosion followed
The bomber was instantly killed and
Ortmann so badly injured he died soon
after he was taken to a hospital.
Scenes of wild confusion followed
the blast Heavy pieces of marble,
torn from the ceiling of the banking
rooms. crashed down while windows
were shattered, showering pedestrians
and those inside the building with fly
ing glass. Inside the structure tellers
and clerks, bleeding from cuts, worked
frantically to gather up piles OF money
which had been blown about.
Thousands Gather Quickly.
Outside. all was in a. turmoil. Thou
sa nds. mourning out from nearby office
buildings and theaters, quickly gath
cred at the scenes and ambulances
and fire apparatus found difficulty in
approaching the building. 1t was not
until the arrival of police reserves
that order was restored.
Quickly the reserves blocked off the
streets and placed a heavy guard
around the bank to prevent
looting. The injured, some Of them
living in the streets, were taken to
hospitals Six of the "a hurt severely
enough to require hospital treatment
were reported in a serious condition.
Bank officials, after an investigation
fixed the damage to the 24story build
ing at more than $150,000. Repairs
were being made early today and 1t
was announced the bank would do
business as usual today.
Bomber's Note Is Found.
While searching the clothing taken
from Ortmann's body, Lieut.. of Detec-
tiyes Peter Connors found the note
in which the bomber made his demand
and threat Written on plain writing
paper, in pencil, in good handwriting,
the note said:
sir: You are held up for $4,000
with so sticks of dynamite. The dy-
in nv hand. 1t will discharge when
the handle is out of my hand. If you
or any one else fires the gun at me.
there viii be no cage left. We will all
be blowing up to pieces. If you are
willing to come through with two thou
sand be quiet and keep off from the
alarm. The help won't do you no good.
If they come, they come for their
death; if not. make all the noise you
like. l will help you with the noise
that whole Pittsburgh will hear. If
you want to see the death machine,
ask for, otherwise absolute silence.
Death or .0O0-either you like"
The note was unsigned.
The note, handed to a teller by the
bomber, was turned over to Ortmann,
a special bank policeman. Ortmann.
after reading it. placed the missive in
his pocket and stepped toward the
! man. AS he did so the bomber kicked
the grip and the blast occurred.