Theories on the Identity of the Bomber
None of the investigators ever came close to finding the culprit. A huge mistake was made in the aftermath of the bombing; cleaning crews removed the debris and blood overnight so by the time an investigation was launched, most of the evidence had been destroyed. As a result, investigating teams almost resorted to guesswork as they pinned the blame on radical groups that had a record of openly criticizing the government. Here are a few of the theories floated at the time.
Bolsheviks
The day after the bombing, The Times reported that government officials and the police believed the ‘Reds’ were responsible for the attack. The Red Scare of 1917-1920 was still in people’s minds so blaming it on Communist groups was a logical move.
Even for those who didn’t believe it was a Russian attack, there was a sense that a ‘radical’ group was responsible and J. Edgar Hoover was in charge of the Central Intelligence Division that tracked the movements of foreign radical groups. The NYPD launched their own special investigative unit to observe the activities of radicals within New York.
The Galleanists
This group of Italian anarchists fitted neatly into the radical category and became prime suspects after postal workers found flyers the day after the bombing. The flyers were placed in mailboxes in the Financial District just before the bombing and said: Remember, we will not tolerate any longer. Free the political prisoners, or it will be sure death for all of you.” The name ‘American Anarchist Fighters’ was on the bottom of the message.
The message on the flyers was very similar to messages that were circulated after a terror campaign in June 1919. It was a bombing spree in several cities across America and police believed the Galleanists were responsible. Given the similarity in messages and the fact, bombs were used, it didn’t take much of a leap to blame the anti-government Italian group. It took its name from the leader, Luigi Galleani. While he had already been deported by the time of the explosion, many aspects of the device matched his previous bombs.
Edwin Fischer
The former professional tennis player came under suspicion after he predicted the bombing with amazing accuracy. He had warned his friends about an impending attack and urged them to leave New York before September 16. Upon further investigation, it appears as if it was nothing more than an astonishing coincidence.
Fischer was mentally ill and had previously sent similar messages foretelling doom; on this occasion, he was right. Under questioning, he revealed that he received the message in the air from God. Fischer was released and committed to Amityville Asylum.
The Case Goes Cold
After a three-year investigation revealed little or nothing in the way of useful leads, the police and Bureau of Investigation realized they had hit a dead end. The FBI re-opened the case in 1944 and came to the conclusion that Italian anarchists or Italian terrorists were responsible. Specifically, a Galleanist called Mario Buda was named as the number one suspect. He was an associate of the famous anarchists Sacco and Vanzetti who murdered two people during an armed robbery. Buda didn’t hang around for long after the bombing and went home to Italy where he remained until he died in 1963.
Those who relied on Wall Street to make a living were determined not to allow the terrorists to win. The Financial District was open for business the day after the explosion with debris, blood and bodies removed and bandaged clerks bravely taking their seats at work. On the afternoon of September 17, 1920, thousands of New Yorkers journeyed to Wall Street to take part in a moving rendition of ‘America the Beautiful.’ As they sang, the destruction of the Morgan building was visible, a reminder of the devastation just a day before.
While Buda fled, other Galleanists remained in the United States and continued launching bombing attacks. Although they never again caused the kind of devastation seen in 1920, they did terrorize cities for just over a decade. In 1932, they tried to kill the presiding judge in the famous Sacco and Vanzetti case, Webster Thayer, but he survived the explosion.
Sources For Further Reading:
American Heritage – The Fire Last Time
History Channel – The Mysterious Wall Street Bombing
CBS News – New York’s Worst Terror Attack Before 9/11 Was 100 Years Ago. No One Was Ever Convicted.
The Great Course Daily – Anarchists in Action: Assassinations and Bombings
Ravalli Republic – The Wall Street Bombing Of 1920 Remains Unsolved
Conton Rep – Remembering The Wall Street Bombing 100 Years Ago