Portland, Oregon, April 16th, 1955.

Portland's largest department store was closed Saturday after a mysterious explosion Friday.

A spokesman said the closure was ordered as a safety precaution in the public interest.

A hood of secrecy continued to shroud the police investigation.

Investigators have withheld all details in connection

with the blast, which shattered a restroom on the third floor of the 12-story Meyer Frank

retail store. Only two persons were hurt, neither seriously, despite the Friday afternoon shopping

crowd. Chief of police James Purcell Jr. has admitted only that an

investigation is underway. Checked periodically throughout the night, he said he, quote, hoped to say

something soon, unquote, but never did. That the explosion was man-caused has official backing. Assistant Fire Marshal

Walter Stickney said residue found in the blasted room was from a black explosive powder,

probably homemade. But that was the last official comment. When police took over, public

statements stopped.

Aaron Frank, general manager of the store, refused to answer questions in connection with the mystery.

Police gave silent birth to many rumors, but none could be pinned down.

At a late hour Friday night, police were observed in the vicinity of the store

in unusual numbers. The noise and concussion of the blast were heard and felt in buildings outside the

store. Glass, chunks of window casing, and bits of masonry were hurled across the street, but there was no fire.

Mrs. F.J. Ostro of Portland was cut by flying glass.

Emile Hanson, a janitor in the store, received minor injuries.

Reports on the violence of the blast varied with the observer from small to, quote, like an earthquake, unquote.

There was no panic. Within a few minutes after the explosion, traffic was flowing normally through the store.

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