The North Adams Transcript from North Adams, Massachusetts • Page 2

TWO THE NORTH ADAMS, MASSACHUSETTS. TRANSCRIPT THURSDAY AFTERNOON, FEBRUARY 21, (952 Find Dead Student Had Bullets; Family Rejects Suicide Theory Although a box of short-rifle ammunition with one cartridge missing was found late yesterday among the effects of Millard Romaine, his family cannot accept the theory that, the 19-year-old Cincinnati, Ohio, student took his own life early Monday morning in a Williams college fraternity house. KILLING ADD 12 PT- TAKE ONE--FIVE TAKES -No Known Motive The box of cartridges, the same size as the bullet that kill ed the Williams sophomore, was found by Williamstown Police Chief George A. Royal'and the youth's uncle, Paul Romaine pJ Cincinnati, as they went through trie boy's possessions in his East college dormitory room. But Mr.

Romaine said the family could not believe that the youth shot himself. It knows of no motive for such an act by him, nor can it conceive of one, he indicated. Investigating officials also acknowledge that they have turned up no information about the attitude or frame of mind which would point to sui cide. But finding of the am 0) OtL LJLJ UJ that caused his death, admittedly gave support today to the suicide theory. Possible Explanation If the wound did not render the youth unconscious immediately or cause instant death; then an explanation could be imagined for conditions found in the Beta Theta Pi fraternity house room where the body was discovered a ittle before'riooa Monday.

There was blood on the carpet in several places, some of it several steps from the bed where the body was discovered. A blood soaked handkerchief was found, also some distance away. The rile from which the shot is presumed to have been fired was mder a bunk diagonally across he room. And papers, a letter Ue b'ox -and pillows from the couch were scattered about. At the same time the officials, said they had by no meanjs discarded two other jossibilities--that the boy was lain or that his death was acci- lental.

Chief Royal interrupted a sys- ematic canvass of sporting goods hardware stores in this area --to try to find out if cartridges that size jhad been purchased ecently--to accompany young iomaine's uncle to the boy's room vhere the box of them was found ate yesterday. Royal Goes to Boston Chief Royal left for Boston his morning without indicating vhether he had learned of any ales of that type of ammunition. He took the .22 calibre rifle and he bloody handkerchief, both ound in the fraternity house oom when Romaine's body was iscovered, to the state police munition with one bullet significantly missing, plus unofficial information that he could have lived 'for several minutes after he suffered the head had not reached htm. laboratories in Boston for tests. Meanwhile, Asst.

Dist. Atty. Samuel E. Levine of North Adams who is currently in charge of the probe, said investigating authorities are anxiously awaiting a report on the autopsy from Dr. Arthur J.

O'Dea of Boston, state pathologist. It was believed generally that the report would be in the hands of Dr. George T. 'Mullen, 'Northern Berkshire medical examiner, this morning, but up to early this afternoon il Mr. Levine, at the same time, said that the contents of the medical report will not be made pub lie, after it reaches here, until such time as the probing authorities have an opportunity to hold a conference to study it Pending the arrival of the report no time or place has been set for the staff conference.

Report May Help The report may help authorities reach a definite conclusion whether the young student killed himself or whether he was the victim of foul play--or even, possibly, an accident. Also, it was indicated' very strongly that the -investigating authorities, who have not ruled out any one of these three possibilities, lean quite strongly towards holding an inquest. However, it was made that the contents of Dr. O'Dea's report probably will influence their decision in -this matter. During their meeting yesterday, Chief Royal gave young Romaine's uncle a complete picture of the course the inquiry had taken up to that time.

Chief Royal said Mr. Romaine described the family as terribly shocked- by the tragedy but offered no comment on the investigation. The uncle came to Williamstown to collect the youth's personal effects and to get a first- land report on the whole case for the family. He was expected to return to Cincinnati today. Report Beyond describing the report as interesting, authorities did not place too much importance on a attributed to William H.

Sweeney, father of Miss Patricia Sweeney, 19-year-old Vassar student who was Romaine's date at For the BEST in Furniture 'Stop Askin See Taskin' HOW FAR DO YOU HAVE TO LOOK TO SEE WHAT'S IN FRONT OF YOU? Big Furniture Sales--Fabulous Price Reductions-PHOOEY! You know that values in fine home furnishings are the best at And why not We haye names like Drexel--Whitney--Valentine-. Seaver Division of Kroehler--Kling--Lees Carpets. Editors of leading magazines have put their stamp of approval on these fine furniture lines. Yes, will surprise you. Price for price, Taskin's values are the best.

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Edward T. Ryan, local director, was able to inform John E. Joyce, of Pittsfield, regional assistant director, that Adams already is a step ahead in that respect, since such a file was prepared hare some time ago. That information, listing the' names and equipment of volunteers who could provide transportation during evacuations and similar emergencies after possible enemy attack, will be transferred to cards which will be placed on file at Boston. Mr.

Ryan also received notice today that a civilian defense school in general sanitation will take place Tuesday morning, March 26, at 10 o'clock in Pittsfield, to-which school and health department officials have been invited. Attending last night's session were Mr. Joyce, Mr. Ryan, Henry J. Callan, local plant pro tection chairman; Mrs.

Margaret Hirst, local warden service head; Leon Sanguinet, Adams civilian defense director, and Adrian Poirot, Florida director. Williams' winter carnival last week-end, that the couple had met on two previous occasions. Miss Sweeney, who left Wtl- liamsttown a afternoon, about 19 hours before young Ro maine was found dead, was questioned at Poughkeepsie, N. on Tuesday by Massachusetts State Patrolman Stanley Bower and a New York Duchess county deputy sheriff in connection with the investigation, but authorities working on the case indicated she gave them no information of any value. At that' time it was reported that her visit to the Williams winter carnival was her first date with young Romaine.

Her father said yesterday, according to the report received today, that they first met in New York city last Thanksgiving and that they also had a date at Vassar after the Christmas holidays. Funeral services for the youth will be held on Saturday morning at 10.30 o'clock in the Baiter funeral home in Cincinnati. As far as can be learned no one from the college will be in attendance. A memorial service for young Romaine was held at the college chapel yesterday. George W.

Klrby George W. Kirby, 71, of 179 Elm street, Pittsfield, brother of Alice Oldham of 15 GJuincy street, died yesterday at Hillcrest hospital, where he had' been a patieut for one day. A native of Newchurch, England, Mr. Kirby had lived in this country since 1900 and in Pittsfield since 1908. He retired in 1944 after 34 years' service with the General Electric company.

He was a member of the First Baptist church of Pittsfield and the GE Quarter Century club. He leaves his wife, the former Lida Sweet; two daughters, Mrs. John L. McMurphy and Mrs. William S.

Pike, both of Pittsfield; another sister, Mrs. Charles Warner of Greenfield; two grandchildren and several' nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be hem in the Wellington funeral home in Pittsfield at 2 o'clock tomorrow afternoon, with burial in Pittsfield cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home tonight from 7 to 9 o'clock. Mrs.

Zephrine Roy Mrs, Amelia (Courtot) Roy, 79, of 33 Bank street, widow of Zephrine Roy, died this morning at the Richardson Rest nursing home after a long period of ill health. Mrs. Roy was born in Hawley but had lived in North Adams for 70 years. She was, a member of Notre Dame church. Although Mrs.

Roy was one of a large family of children 10 of whom survive her, she was the first of the children to die in 54 years. She leaves two daughters, Mrs. Irene Crawford of 'Norwich, and Mrs. Alice Staub of Little Falls, N. three sons, Ernest J.

Roy of Pittsfield and Laurent Z. and Paul F. Roy, both of North Adams; five sisters, Mrs. George Thompson. Mrs.

Walter Gould, Mrs. Frank Lincoln and Mrs. William Whitton, all of North Adams, and Mrs. Clara Buxton of-Searsburg. five brothers, Frank Courtot of North Adams: John Courtot of Eastampton; Joseph Courtot of Williamst.own; Charles Courtot of Hancock and George Courtot of New York.

She also left nine grandchildren, six great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. The body is at the San Soucie funeral home, where friends may call tonight from 7 to 10 o'clock, and tomorrow from 2 to 5 and 7 to 10. Funeral arrangements are" incomplete, but burial will be in the family lot in Southview cemetery. 2 Fined $350 Total For Highway Crash In Lanesboro Feb. 5 Fines totaling $350 were imposed in Pittsfield district court today upon two defendants involved in a highway crash at Lanesboro.

on Feb. 5. Austin D. Brigham, 44, of Lawrence, who gave the Wellington hotel in this city as his temporary address, was penalized $100 each on charges of operating under the influence of liquor and operating to endanger, 520 for leaving the scene after causing property damage, and $15 for drunkenness. In addition, Judge Charles R.

Alberti imposed a suspended sentence of three months in the correction for leaving the scene of an accident after causing personal injuries. At the same time, Brigham's companion, John Kononan, 22, of Keene, N. was fined $50 for operating under the influence of liquor, $50 for permitting an improper person to drive his car, and $15 for drunkenness. The pair was arrested by Patrolman Melvin F. Thomason of Williamstown after Orville Besette of Lee complained that his car had been sideswiped on the Lanesboro road and that the other car fled the scene.

Brigham was said to have been driving at the time of the crash, while Kononan took the wheel during the flight. Two Inches Of Snow Falls; Salters Out Crossed fingers were the rule in the public works department today, but the latest snowstorm years ago, prevailed on the camp- abated before noon without hav-1 us at this time ol year. ing caused any new snow romov-1 And the, same students, mem-j ing the big snowdrifts at the Williams Men Shovel Up Snow As Substitute for 'Hell Week Thirty Williams, college who sought his advice dents wielded snow shovels at concerning possible projects. Southview cemetery this after- L. Ml BaMey them to I City Manager Robert Harp substitute for the Hell vhr noon as a week" revelry that, until two who.

after consulting Cemetery Commissioner Edward T. Ryan, told the students a if they were'willing, thpjr help in cleaf- al problems. City Manager Robert H. Harp said the two inches that fell during the night did not require any plowing today, though salting crews treated the downtown bers of the various Greek letter: cemetery would be welcome, societies, later will help local of-j The students'assented with en- ficials in the civilian defense! thusiasm, Mr. Harp said, and housing survey that is to be made to determine what shelter facilities would be available here for refugees in case of enemy at- streets this morning to ease traf- tacks on ne ig hborin communi- flc conditions.

And the U.S. wea-! ties ther bureau at Pittsfield reported that onry scattered flurries are likely tonight and tomorrow. Mr. Harp said most of the snow removal work made necessary by last week-end's 20-inch fall was completed today, as far as streets were concerned. Em- ployes were assigned this morn ing to similar work at the municipal parking lot on Center street'and the problems they encountered in that task furrowed the city manager's brow.

"Too many people. I'm afraid, are using that lot as a garage," he said, "and something will have to be done about it. There were four or five cars in a row there this morning that obviously had not been moved for days." Mr. Harp said he had been pleased to note that the Chamber of Commerce is planning a study of the same problem. He has ideas of his own, he said, on how to deal with supposed abuses of the parking privileges in the municipal lot, but he wanted to examine the possibilities further before discussing them publicly.

Rice for Korea Phnom Cambodia, Indo- W)--The kingdom of Cambodia is planning to send a shipment of rice to Korea to aid the people of South Korea. The shipment is being arranged at the request of the secretary-general of the United Nations. A similar contribution was made last vear. The "Hell week" antics incident to 'fraternity initiations were abolished two years ago and since then the students have gathered at 1 o'clock this afternoon at city hall, whence, under Commissioner Ryan's supervision, they were taken to the cemetery for the snow-elearing for which regular city em- ployes could not yet be spared. Mr.

Harp said the group also consented to be ready for the civilian defense housing canvass been casting about for some whenever their services are nerd- of public service project to adoptled. The date for that survey has as a worthwhile- replacement, not yet been decided, bur That led to a visit yesterday to Edward L. Battey, lo'cal Y.M.C.A. secretary, by a delegation of stu- students' help remedv the the problems created by lack of volunteers previously. Sargent's Selection Confirmed by Senate Washington The senate yesterday confirmed, without objection.

President Truman's ap- jMrs. Torrey, 100, Leaves Estate Valued at $20,000 pointment of Rowland H. al Mrs. Jennie M. Torrey of this city 'left an estate worth nearly gent of Rhode Island, as an S2( -000 wnen sne djed Qn Jgn sistant secretary of state.

Incarnation Prizewinners Prizewinners at a public whist party at Incarnation church in Blackinton last night were Mrs. Francis Royal, Mrs. Roger Tatro, Mrs. Peter Bourdon, Helen Keens, Mrs. Thomas Quinn, Mrs.

Bart McAndrews, Mrs. Mary, Donovan, Mrs. Edward McGowan. Romeo Beauchemin. Simeon Caron, Herve Mr.

and Mrs. Bernard G. Blan-' Giguere. Roger Tatro, and Fre-; chard of 17 Beacon street are par- a few weeks after her 100th birthday. An inventory filed today in probate court at Pittsfield listed personal propeity amounting to 59,643.95 and real estate valued at 510,000.

The real estate consisted of the house at 34 Meadow street where she had lived. Births mont Whitney. Special prizes were won by Fremont Whitney and Peter Petri. ents of a daughter, born this morning at North Adams hospital. The party was sponsored by the A son was born at North Ad- Holy Name society and the next ams hospital this morning to Mr.

in the series March 5. take place and Eugene G. Tatro of 1273 Stat-? road. Funeral Mrs. Andrew Lunplasi Funeral services for Mrs.

An gelina Lampiasi, wife of Andrew of 69 High street, who died Sunday, were held at 9 o'clock this morning with a solemn high mass of requiem in St. Anthony's church. The pastor, Rev. Richard C. Roocaprioie.

was celebrant of the mass, and was assisted by Rev. Armando C. Russo as deacon and Rev. Raphael A. Posco as sub- deacon.

At the offertory, the choir sang 'Miseremini Mei." and Miss C. Mary Cavazza sang "Veni Jesu Amor Me" at the recessional. Mrs. Mary Ronco was organist. Burial was in Southview ceme tery, where Fr.

Posco officiated at the grave. Bearers were Vin cent Zoito, Alfio Girgenti, Samuel D'Amico. Joseph Zoito, and Andrew Lampiasi, all of North Adams, and Carmen Simonelli of Adams. Last evening, Fr. Posco led a recitation of the rosary at 1he San Soucie funeral home.

Among those present at the funeral services this morning was a former neighbor of the Lampiasi family, Rev. Carl Donega of Worcester. CARD OF THANKS We wish to thank all those who were so kind and thoughtful of us at the time of the death of our dear mother and sister, Celia Matatt. For tributes of beautiful flowers, kind notes of sympathy, gifts of mass cards and those who loaned cars and served as we thank you all. Mr.

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