In April 1955, Portland’s iconic Meier & Frank department store became the scene of a shocking bombing and extortion plot. A blind chemist, Clarence William Peddicord, detonated a bomb in the store and demanded $50,000 to prevent a second explosion. His sister-in-law, Joyce Keller, was initially accused of aiding him but was ultimately acquitted. The daring scheme, intricate ransom instructions, and dramatic investigation captured national attention, highlighting both the audacity of the crime and the resilience of the city.

Episode Sources:

https://www.nydailynews.com/2016/10/16/cruel-fate-pushes-blind-bomber-to-attack-oregon-department-store-in-1955/

https://www.oregonencyclopedia.org/articles/meier-and-frank/

https://time.com/archive/6798814/crime-the-bomb-plot/

https://www.oregonlive.com/history/2016/11/bizarre_1955_extortion_plot_vi.html

https://www.oregonhistoryproject.org/articles/the-meier-frank-bombing-1955/