Waterbury evening Democrat., 1908-05-16
THE BROPHY SEARCH
Some of Inc Stories and Inci.
 dents of the Case.


 ed with his companions Sunday morning at Long Meadow pond? These and similar questions are be- ying asked now seeing that dili- eNnt search has failed to locate the body in the water. The place has been dragged carefully from one end to the other, everything that could be moved pulled up and examined, but nothing has been discovered which would furnish clue to the missing boy, not even his hat being picked up in or about the pond. Large quantities of dynamite was used yesterday and water, fish, old stumps, mud and almost everything else one could mention whirled 75 or so feet in the air. During the afternoon it was reported that there was danger of the dam being blown to pieces and somebody sent Deputy Sheriff Sween- ey out there to see how things were being done and after looking on for short time he left feeling satisfied that the searchers knew their busi- ness.
 The Waterbury people who are making an effort to find the body speak in the highest terms of the treatment accorded them by the man. agment of the new rubber factory and the hosiery shop. They sent out help from time to time, called at the pond on and off and in various other ways showed disposition to lend a hand. But they don't feel quite so kindly towards the folks who have called there from Middlebury, none of whom showed disposition to do anything, and many of them being so indifferent that they threw in their lines and started fishing without even inquiring word about the lost boy or in any way manifesting the slightest sympathy for the bereaved father who has been on the ground since he came to Waterbury.
 The wild cat stories sent out from Naugatuck regarding the drowning don't appear to be able to stand in vestigation. When Cummings, Raf- ferty and young Brophy called on the man who rents the boats Saturday night every one of them, nine in all, were out, but they hadn't been there long when prominent employe of the rubber shop rowed in and the trio immediately got hold of his boat. There were few fish in the bottom of the boat and these the Brophy boy picked up and handed to the strang- CT. The conduct of the youth rather pleased the Naugatuck man and as token of appreciation he gave Bro- phy his fishing pole and thereupon the party started off on the fatal trip.
 The strangest thing of all is that although eight boats containing fish ermen were in the neighborhood of where the drowning accident took place and although they heard the cries for help, nobody went to the rescue on time to be of any use. A Polander who works in the rubber shop was quite close to the spot and heard man say that he was drown ing and then ask if somebody would not help. The only excuse the man gives for not responding is that he had "greenhorn" on board with hiN and when he heard the cry of distress he fainted and by the time he got him revived and rowed over to the upturned boat everything was as still as death.
 The theory advanced from this is that Cummings and the boy went down and made no struggle. but Raf- ferty supported himself on the water and called for help, and none appear ing he struck for the shore. A fire which was burning on one side of the pond evidently attracted his atten- tion and he headed towards it and in so doing took course three times farther from the shore than If he had taken any other route.
 The indifference on the part of the authorities at Middlebury as to whether the body was found or not, has prompted many to say that there should be a state law compelling towns where such accidents happen to immediately institute search for the bodies and in case the parties belong in some town other than that where the pond Is located have the expense charged to the place where the vic tins had residence. A similar law obliges towns to care for people in- jured on the highways or in any oth- CT way and enables them to collect from the authorities where the pa- tients belong in case the parties are not able to settle themselves. And besides it should be obligatory upon every municipality to look for bodies Of its own citizens who are drowned within It's own limits instead of leay- ing the matter in the hands of rela- tiYes just the same as if it were mo- body else's business. In Waterbury they do better than that, but 1t is voluntary on the part of the authori- ties. The board of aldermen should regulate the matter locally and also instruct the city attorney to bring 1t to the attention of the general as- sembly and see that a law is passed which will oblige town officials to do something on such occasions besides acting as curious spectators. Tn case the person drowned had no known residence it would be proper to charge the expense to the state
 Several parties conected about the pond this afternoon and watched the water drawn off slowly. consent hav- ing been given by the own- CTS of the pond. Thomas Lun- ny. the undertaken. left here early prepared to try different means of locating the body. one Of which Is something novel although many ex- press faith in it 1t consists of a square loaf of bread with a lighted candle stuck in it. The bread floats here and there and finally is sup posed to stop directly over the body and remain fhnrr If fhn hsnaN shntaId