The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1914-05-04
. John Koski's Death Is
Held by Authorities as
Not Due to Foul Play
GRANITEVILLE FA-
TALITY DURING NIGHT
Autopsy Was Held by State
Officials to Learn the
Cause Of Death

States Attorney J. Ward Carver has
been investigating the case of John Kos
ki, Finnish quarryman, who was found
dead in a little brook at Graniteyille
Sunday morning. Apparently koski was
drowned IN stream six inches deep
that meanders through a shallow rayine
to the north OF the main road through
the village. The fact that the man
had fresh bruise on the back OF his
head lends but little color to any s,ls-
plcion of foul play that may be held
and the authorities are quite satisfied
that death was accidental. One OF Kos
ki's countrymen, who lives nearby, dis
covered the body and notified Health
Officer DIR. Il. II. Bailey. The physician
telephoned at once to States Attorney
carver, who went to GranitevilIe Sun
day forenoon with Deputy Sheriff A. NJ.
Morrison. Later the remains were TAX
Zen to Whitcomb's undertaking establish
ment in East Barre, where an autopsy
was made to-day by Drs. B. III. Stone
and Whitney Of the state laboratory,
Burlington
Ihe state doctors completed their ex-
animation of the remains at noon to-
day. No official report was given out,
but 1t IL understood that both physi-
clans We're skeptical Of any foul nlav
theory. 1T was not thought that the
blow on the head, although serious. was
severe enough TO cause death and in the
opinion of the doctors had the circunl-
stances been such that he could have
had proper care Immediately after his
head was wounded, death would prob
ably not have been the sequel Expos
ure to the water and tile cold night air
and the blow which was doubtless re-
eeived when Koski struck his head on
stone, caused death, according to an
unofficial statement. Drs. Stone and
Whitney returned to Burlington this aft
ernoon, taking with them the mans
stomach. brain and other organs. They
will make q full report to the states
attorney later.
With large number of his compa-
triots, according to the information the
authorities have been able to CLEAN from
the testimony of people in Graniteville,
young koski went to a dance in Miles
hall Saturday evening. He remained as
one of the merrymakers until midnight,
when he accompanied some of his boon
companions to the home OF Mats Alatela.
The latter lives in house on the oppo-
site side of the brook from the main
highway and to reach it the party had
to skirt the stream a short distance
before they came to narrow plank ex-
tending to the other bank. Once across
the brook they repaired to Alatela's and
spent the early hours of the morning in
song and story telling.
1t was considerably after midnight
when young koski, alone of those who
left the dance hall. decided to 90 home.
it is told. He left the company and
that was the last seen of him alive.
Soon afterward the Others started across
the improvised foot bridge for their
homes. They saw no signs of koski,
according to the statements furnished
the states attorney. Koski lived at
Mrs. W. H. Fales' clearinghouse near
the Boutwell, station and his compan
ions supposed he had carried out his
intention of going home.
Flanking the stream in which the man
was found are granite walls erected to,
keep the brook from deviating from it's
course in spring time. The plank which
makes crossing possible in the viciu-
ity is not directly in front of Alatela's
house and those of his family who would
reach the other side must make a de-
tour of several rods The theory is held
that Koski's being unfamiliar with his
stumbled in the darkness
nto the brook while trying to locate
.he plank 1t s surmised that his head
nay have struck the granite wall or a
stone in the stream with a force sufii
,ient to render him insensible. If that
5 true. it is claimed that death from
lrowning must have ensued within
.hort time, as his head was partially
when the body was found.
The authorities do not believe that the
wound on the head alone would cause
leath, although the blow may have been
evere enough to be followed by uncon
There are no guard rails
long the banks of the stream. which is
bout six feet in width at the point
where the body was lying.
But little is known of the mans am
ecedents. He came to Granitevillc six
weeks ago directly from Finland. He
ngaged lodging quarters and board at
lrs. Fales' and secured a job in one OF
he quarres. Among his countrymen
e was known as peaceful youth.
omewhat difiident at times, and not at
IL inclined to disputation. He drank
according to the testimony
+ those who knew him. Sc far as can
e learned, Koski is without relatives in
his country. His parents, brothers and
isters are believed to be living in Fin
and.