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
Is your car living up to its reputation for quick get away and speed, or is it beginning to lose its power and pep, and gives you all sorts of trouble. If your car displays any bad symptoms, drive in here for a cure by experts in repairing and reconditioning 1303 Kingdom Road, Kemptville, 613.258.6607 This clause was subsequently omitted at the request of the coroner. Several facts, that were not produced at the inquest, are known, that would seem to point that Root had not contemplated suicide the day before his death. One is that he had visited a local tailor shop, where he was having a suit made, to ascertain if it would be finished Saturday; another, that he had visited a local shoemaker to have a shoe repaired; and the third, that Friday afternoon or
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