Lexington Avenue bombing

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The Lexington Avenue bombing was an accidental^{[citation needed]} bombing in a New York City apartment that occurred in 1914, killing four and injuring dozens. The Anarchist Black Cross had planned to use the bomb as retaliation to John D. Rockefeller for the Ludlow massacre. However, it exploded prematurely^{[citation needed]} before the attack could occur. The dead were anarchists Arthur Caron, Charles Berg, Carl Hanson, and their roommate Marie Chavez, who apparently was not aware of the plot. Louise Berger, who was involved, was not in the building at the time. However, she denied any involvement, and police were not able to prove it.

Will Durant later created a fictionalized version of this bombing and placed himself in the story as the innocent fourth roommate. This version appeared in Durant's 1927 autobiography, Transitions. In Durant's version, the innocent roommate survived. The parallels between the true story and Durant's version are unmistakable, as Durant claims to have associated with anarchists loosely affiliated with the "Modern School" at which Durant taught. Durant further describes the bombing as intended retaliation against a wealthy industrialist whose company had caused a massacre of employees in Colorado. Durant never acknowledged that the account (including his own participation) was fictionalized. The account of this bombing was included with many true stories from Durant's life.