The North Grenville Times Canada Day Special Edition
Killed By Revolver Shot
October 30, 1924
Teller at the Union Bank Found Dead on Saturday Morning The main topic in the homes, business places and on the streets of the village since Saturday morning, when the body of Claude Root, teller in the local branch of the Union Bank of Canada, was found lying on the floor in the teller’s cage, with a bullet through his heart and revolver, with one chamber empty, on a chair by his side, is who did it, and why? The discovery was made about 7.30 o’clock by Mrs. Joseph Gauthier, employed by the Bank to do its cleaning, when she came to perform her morning’s task. At the inquest Monday night she testified seeing the body through the door from the manager’s room, but did not go near it. Instead, she called in a young man named Howard Jannack, who was across the road and he also entered and viewed the body from a distance. The two then crossed the road to Parkinson’s store and informed Mr. E. Swain, who went to the bank with them, and Mr.
Swain went into the cage, recognized Root and called to him to wake up. Receiving no response, he took hold of the leg of the trousers to give him a shake and discovered him dead. All three then left the premises and crossed to Parkinson’s, from here Mr. A. C. Thomson, local manager, was called and asked to come to the bank. On arrival, he entered and ascertained that the unfortunate young man was really dead, and then notified the coroner, Dr. Storey, who on arrival made an examination of the body and found a bullet wound on the left breast, but no hole through the vest or shirts. The two top buttons of the vest had been undone, also the fastenings of the shirts, giving an impression of self-destruction. The coroner gave permission to the undertakers to remove the body and it was taken to the residence of Mr. Wm. Kidd, and while there it was viewed by the coroner’s jury Saturday afternoon, and the jury adjourned to meet Monday night at 7 o’clock in the town
hall. The young man’s parents, who reside at Gananoque, were notified of the occurrence, and his father arrived here Saturday night and accompanied the body of his son to Gananoque on Sunday, and the burial took place Monday afternoon. Did Root die by his own hand, or was the shot fired by another? If it was a case of suicide, what was the motive? If killed by another, what was the reason? These are the two questions being asked by those who discuss the tragedy. Root had been in the employ of the local branch for over two years. During that period he formed many associates, with whom he became popular. He was a young man of quiet manner and cheerful disposition. Mr. A. C. Thomson, manager of the bank, testified that he had been a satisfactory and efficient clerk, one who would never be known to shirk his duties. There were no irregularities in his books and all securities in his safekeeping where intact. In his pockets have been found a notebook, to-
bacco pouch, key ring, other articles and a five cent piece. He knew of nothing to account for suicide. Messrs. Geo. A. McCaughey, H. Keegan and Eldon Kidd stated that the hands were soiled, as if from powder smoke, and on the inside of his undershirt were apparently powder stains. The revolver must have been fired well pressed against the flesh. The bullet had been found after the clothing had been removed, but it had not penetrated the clothing at the back. Mr. Arthur Naismith, an inspector of the Bank, from Toronto, stated that no irregularities were to be found in the books of the institution and none of the securities had been removed. The only irregularity found was about $13 short in the cash. As evidence that Root expected to be at work the next day were entries that it been made by him on Friday, after closing hours and which would not likely have been made if he contemplated self-destruction. The postmortem examination had been made by Drs. Holmes and Beamish, and Dr. Holmes’ evidence, which was corroborated by Dr. Beamish, was chiefly to the direction of the bullet after it had entered the body. It had passed through the apex of the heart and left ventricle and had punctured the lower lobe of the left lung. He was of the opinion that death had been instantaneous. Miss C. V. Griffin testified that Root had been in her shop about 6 o’clock Friday evening, when conversation had taken place in which Mr. Thomson’s
name come up. She had stated: “It takes Mr. Thomson to look after you”, and Root had replied: “Mr. Thomson will have something else to bother him before another week.” “What could he have to bother him?” She asked. “You will know all about it before another week,” was the reply. The testimony of Robert Boaden, who lives in the Barnes Block a short distance from the bank, that he had been awakened between midnight and 1 o’clock by motorcars running rapidly up and down Prescott Street, had heard a muffled shot that he had taken to be a revolver shot, after which a car drove rapidly past. Before he fell asleep again he had heard the clock strike one. Besides the evidence given by Miss Griffin as to where Root had spent Friday evening was evidence submitted by Robt. Riddell, who told of having engaged in a game of cards with Root and five others, at Riddell’s place from ten o’clock until about 12.30, when Root left, the others remaining until about two o’clock. There had been nothing to drink at the game. Root, always a quiet young man, apparently it was as usual, perhaps a little quieter.. The verdict read: “We, your jury, impaneled to inquire into the death of Claude find that he came to his death from a revolver shot, discharged by himself or by some persons unknown.” To this they had at first attached a clause recommending further investigation be made, if possible.
Thomas M. Byrne Barrister and Solicitor
tom@tmblaw.ca 613.258.1277 222 Prescott St., Kemptville
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evening he had written and mailed to his father at Gananoque a cheerful letter, in which he mentioned his intention of taking part in some amateur theatricals, and spoke of other matters that a parent would be interested in receiving from his son. There was not a discouraging word or despondent line in the epistle. This letter was received by the parent but a short time before a message, sent from here, told of the death of an only child.
Bishop’s Mills News
Mr. and Mrs. R. Fitzgerald gave a party on Monday evening in honour of Mr. Orville and Miss Rita Fitzgerald, of Ogdensburg, who were visiting under the parental roof. Mr. Charles Poole, of Smiths Falls, spent a few days here last week. Mr. and Mrs. Clifford Doole were visiting relatives in North Augusta, on Thursday. Mr. And Mrs. Zack Percival, of Burritt’s Rapids, were visiting relatives here this week. Born – on Thursday, February 14th, 1924, to Mr. and Mrs. O. Thompson, a daughter.
A very successful social, under the auspices of the Methodist Church, was held on Saturday evening, at the home of the Misses McLellan, main St. Mr. John Thompson has purchased Mr. O. Thompson’s house in the village as the latter intends moving to R. Tubman’s farm in Oxford Township. Mr. Campbell Byers, of Smiths Falls, is moving this week to Maplehurst Farm, which he recently purchased. Mrs. H. Throop, of Maynard, is visiting at the home of the Misses McLellan, this week.
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Kemptville Horticultural Society holds successful Flower Show In spite of the opposition of the weather man the annual flower show, staged by the local Horticultural Society, in the Town Hall, was a decided success. While many were unable to get there with their eateries, the exhibits that did arrive were of excellent quality. The tables were well filled with flowers and the tea tables were nicely decorated with flowers, menu cards and bouquets. Tea was served from 5 to 9 pm by the ladies committee, with the assistance of the younger members of the society. The returns were very gratifying, being larger than those of last year. The show was conducted by the ladies of the executive under the able direction of Miss K. B. Johnston. Mr. Horace Read, of the Central Experimental Farm, Ottawa, was the judge. Mr. Read was pleased with the quality of the flowers shown, particularly the choice display of asters.
Why Is It Called Beckett’s Landing (Brockville Recorder) The Becketts were early settlers on the Rideau and found-
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ers of the settlement which bears the name. There, members of the family continue to reside. In the Prescott Telegraph of October 11, 1848, then conducted by Stephen B. Merrill, there appears mention of the establishment of a “new stage line in connection with the steamers Speed and Beaver, on the Ottawa and Rideau route between Montréal and Kingston”. This line, to run twice a week during the summer from the steamboat wharf at Prescott “to meet the Beaver at Beckett’s Landing on the Rideau Canal” left Prescott each Wednesday and Friday afternoon at 2 o’clock and returned on the Thursday and Sunday mornings following “immediately upon the arrival of the Beaver and arriving in Prescott in time to take the upward steamers from Montréal.” The Bytown and Prescott railway had, of course, yet to be built. Alex McMillan and Alex Beckett where the proprietors of the line and the reader was assured that “this route will be the cheapest as well as the most comfortable and expeditious and give persons wishing to go to Kemptville, South Gower and intermediate points a good opportunity of so doing.”
Kemptville and District News All trains many hours late and the roads piled high with snow drifts is the result of the blizzard that started Tuesday evening and continued all day Wednesday. It was the worst storm of the winter. Friends of Mrs. Archibald will be sorry to learn that she has an attack of pneumonia, but will be pleased to know that hopes for her recov-
! s w e N
ery are entertained. The dispute between the Corporation and Levi and Dan Bowen is the main topic of conversation in the village. Dan Bowen claims to have leased the power plant of the Kemptville Milling Co, and his using power, generated at Andrewsville, to operate his mill. The Corporation claims that its agreement with the Kemptville Milling Co. included the dismantling of the sub station near the mill, which was not done. Monday morning Reeve McClanaghan, Constable Ault and electrician Williams proceeded to the mill and requested Bowen to close down the power so that the wires could be cut. This Bowen refused to do. The next step was an application by the authorities for an injunction to compel Bowen to cease operation by the use of power generated at Andrewsville. This injunction was granted by Judge Dowsley, at Brockville, and was served Wednesday on both Levi and Dan Bowen. What the next act will be depends on how the injunction is observed. The regular bi-monthly meeting of the Women’s Institute, Oxford Mills, will be held at the home of Mrs. Teskey, the rectory, Tuesday evening, Feb. 25. Mr. Croskery, Agricultural Representative, will address the meeting. Everybody welcome. Miss Hilda George, of Ottawa, was a week end guest of Miss Willa Sarney. When in Ottawa, Tuesday, Mr. W. J. Bell secured the promise of Prof. J. A. Ruddick, of the Dominion Dairy Commission, to give an illustrated lecture in the pavilion at the K.A.S., on Friday evening, Feb. 29th. Prof Ruddick
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639 Van Buren St. 343.998.3603 will describe his recent trip through the South Sea Islands and New Zealand. He will describe the dairy industry in New Zealand, with illustrations. This lecture will be free to all who may attend and it is hoped that a full house will greet the lecturer. His talk will not only be of interest but will be a benefit to many. Next Wednesday evening, in Leslie Hall, Bert Lloyd, Ottawa’s leading comedian, assisted by other talented artists, will repeat, for the benefit of St. James’s A.Y.P.A., the program of the “Rotary Whirl of 1924", recently presented in the Russell Theatre, Ottawa on three occasions to crowded houses at $1.50 a seat. Instrumental and vocal music. Fancy dancing in costume by Miss Audrey MacLaughlin. The screaming farce, “A Private Asylum”, and other novelties. Gen. Admission 35¢; reserve seats 50¢. Plan at Adams Drug Store.
Oxford Mills There will be no service in the Presbyterian Church on Sunday, owing to the church parade to the Anglican church.
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Bedell Station, Kemptville
Mr. and Mrs. Pixley and daughter, Luella, spent Thursday in Kemptville, the guest of their daughter. Mr. Bernice Henderson, accompanied by Ralph Kronic, motored to Ottawa on Sunday. Mr. and Mrs. Fretwell and son, Gordon, accompanied by Mr. and Mrs. Pixley motored to Smiths Falls on Sunday.
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Mr. and Mrs. Gilmour and family, of Spencerville, spent Sunday the guests of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Gardiner. Mr. George Jannack and Mr. James Typher and Mr. H. Typher spent Tuesday in Ottawa.
Kemptville Rural School Fair The tenth annual School fair to be held at Kemptville took place last Monday afternoon in Riverside Park. The entries in all classes were numerous, in many cases in excess of previous years, while the attendance was up to expectations. It was noticed that those in attendance from the country were principally women and children, the farmer, having been held back in his fall work by the previous week’s wet weather, took advantage of the beautiful day to gather his crops. The parade left the public school grounds about 1.30 o’clock, headed by the Kemptville Citizens’ Band, and marched to the grounds, where each school was judged on average attendance, discipline and attention, school banner, decorations worn by pupils, and marching. Public speaking was held in the open in front of the grand stand, by boys and girls. This was followed by races, taken part in by the scholars. The judging in the hall occupied con-
6:05 a.m. 7:27 a.m. 3:28 p.m.
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From Ottawa 11:20 a.m 1:25 p.m. 7:07 p.m. 11:14 p.m.
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siderable time, owing to the large number of entries. The doors were not opened to the public until about 4 o’clock, which resulted in such a crush that the display could not be seen satisfactorily, before the owners of the articles on show began to remove them.
10:35 a.m. local via Peterbore 11:35 a.m. express via Lake Shore 7:15 p.m. Perth Local
Bedell to Montreal 7:05 a.m. Perth Local 3:20 p.m. express 5:00 p.m. local For more information and tickets apply to
CHAS. A. ADAMS Town Agent or R.G. Amiot, District Passenger Agent, Montreal
Buy in your hometown and be a booster for it. Don’t help to kill your own Home Town by sending your money away to the big mail order Houses. The Retail Distributor an Important Factor in Every Community Every village, town or city, is built up around a main street and the General Retail Merchant’s store. If the retail stores were taken out of our cities, towns and villages the community would cease to exist. The service rendered by retail merchants in selecting and having on hand convenient for immediate use any article required is of equal importance to the making or the producing of the article. An orange required on the table of a consum-
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er is of no value for immediate use unless it is right at hand. It is the business of the retail merchants to have it on hand when it is required. The service of distribution is, therefore, equal with that of production or manufacture and it forms a legitimate part of the cost of the article. In every age of the world, theorists and those who are unfamiliar with the retail problem have attempted to devise ways and means to abolish the retail merchants but none so far have succeeded, nor will they ever succeed because
he forms a very important part of the great natural channels of trade and he is a necessity in every community.
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The building that houses Grahame’s Bakery was built by Thomas, who sold it to Alphaeus Patterson in 1885. Alphaeus was a baker, and his bakery has continued in uninterrupted operation ever since, using the same wood-fired brick oven he installed back then. The Eagers took over the bakery after Alphaeus, but sold it in 1922 to Bert Frisby. It is one of the oldest surviving businesses in the village.
Thursday and Friday
Sept. 25th. & 26th. Revised and Enlarged Prize List Increased Premiums Largest List of Special Prizes Ever Given Over $1,500 Prize List Over $850 Specials
SPECIAL EXHIBIT Provincial Government Demonstration Truck Demonstrating methods of installing water systems in rural homes
Programme For Friday, September 26th. TRIALS OF SPEED 2:20 and 2:40 Classes, Trot or Pace Purse $100 Each 4 monies -50-25-15-10 No Entrance Fee-No Deductions From Winners
BASEBALL Senior match between two of the best teams in Eastern Ontario, also a junior match between two junior teams who are old rivals Local fans will be pleased with these games
KEMPTVILLE CITIZEN’ BAND in attendance afternoon and evening
For Lady Also Go as You Specials
SPECIAL PRIZES
Feb 25,1921 The first meeting of the Kemptville Band was held Friday evening of last week and the instruments allocated as follows: Eb basses: M. Waterson, E M Elliott Euphonium: J. C. Sykes Baritone: Geo Milne Slide Trombones: H Johnston, Joe Williams, H Keegan Altos: Wm Todd, John O’Neill, William Keegan, John Prosser Bb Cornets: F H Lemay, Wm Miller, Wm Jamieson, H O’Callaghan, L Anderson Bb Clarinets: E Kingston, T Beckett, W H Dickinson, Wm Jackson Eb Clarinets: Gordon Allen Bass Drum: Wm Banks Snare Drum: P Stewart Messrs Wm Banks and E M Elliott were appointed by the band to sit on the committee with representatives appointed by the Council.
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215 Prescott Street, Kemptville
Driving-Roadsters and Carriage Turnouts. Harness, Hitch and Once Around Track Please. Society Members Only Over a Dozen for Horse Events, in front of Grand Stand
THE MIDWAY Promises Well
A Merry-go-Round Expected
A GRAND CONCERT
is being arranged for the evening consisting of Scotch-Musical Recitations-Monologues and Songs as well as a First Class Comedian. In Oddfellows’ Hall at 8:pm.
Come To Kemptville Fair BOOST THE FAIR -Make this Year The Best Ever
REDUCED ADMISSIONS Adults 35c. Children under 12, 25c. Horse & Rig 25c. Automobile 35c. Grandstand 25c. Admission to Oddfellow Hall: Adults 50c., Children 35c. Get Your Entry Blanks and Prize Lists From the Secretary
C. A. ADAMS. President
C. G. JOHNSON Secretary
! u o y r o f s l o o t e h t t o g We’ve 613-258-6000
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