New Britain herald., 1917-05-28
BELIEVED TO BE ACCIDENTAL

r., -f97
 Companion, .Careaessly Handling
 Rifle. Discharged weapon.
 Private Joseph Welch of No. Sex ton street, member of Company E, First Connecticut Infantry, outpost guard, was shot through the head and almost instantly killed last evening at the Pratt & Whitney factory in Hart ford by Private Frank Matulis, an- other New Britain soldier and mem Der of Company E. Immediate in- vestigation showed little doubt that the shooting was accidental. although Private Matulis was at once arrested and placed under guard at the state armory in Hartford and Privates Frank O'Keefe. Joseph Closeup. Ed. win Stiquel, Frank Silva and William s. Rudge were likewise placed under arrest and are being held as witnesses for general court martial with the principal in the tragedy. Major John L. Purcell and Lieutenant Ashley J. Cariffin and Lieutenant Robert W. K. Harris, Jr., the last two officers be- ing in command of Company E., are conducting a rigorous investigation in behalf of the military authorities
 
 berger is investigating for the civil authorities.
 The funeral of Private welch will probably be held tomorrow. although complete details have not been ar-. ranged as yet, nor will they be until all civil and military formalities have been cleared up. Until the examining surgeon, assigned to this case, has made his complete investigation, the, body will not be moved to New, Brit ain Lieutenant Grimm stated this noon that while no final plans have been made. it is probable that the funeral will be held tomorrow. Serv- ices will be held at the state ar- mory on Arch street and will also be held. Ut St. Marys church. AL ready the American flag in Central Park has been lowered to half mast in memory of the dead soldier and details from Company F will act as pail bearers and honorary guArds at the funeraI sss.vices Tho Ffrst RSGi-- inlent band will AlHo probably Attgnd the funeral. Interfnent will be in St. Mary's new Catholic cemetery.
 Shot Through the Head.
 Just who was actually looking at the two soldiers when the bullet was discharged which snuffed out the life of Private Welch has not yet been determined, but from the testimony of the men in the room 1t appears that scarelessness on the part of two soldiers may be found to be the primary cause of the fatality. Ac- cording to the story told by brother members of the guard detail, Private Welch was 8 member of the military guard at the Colt factory. where he was relieved from duty at o'clock last night. After turning. his post over to the relief guard, Private WeIch is said to have gone to the Pratt 6 Whitney factory, where there were several of his friends doing duty, for friendly chat. The Pratt & Whitney guard detail was to go on duty at o'clock and preparatory to taking his post Private Frank O'Keefe Is said to have laid his loaded rifle against clothes closet in the bar racks. At this juncture Private Ma tulis is said to have sauntered up and mechanically grasped the rifle and proceeded to go through the manual Of arms in listless manner. As he went through the various moves of "order arms,'' "port arms, right SHOul0er arms, anu OIHcI AOOsAAA0 movements the rifle suddenly dis charged It has not yet been defin- itely determined whether Private sO'Keefe, when he laid down his rife. had made sure that the safety, catch was on. Simultaneously with the loud detonation of the powerful Spring field, Private welch, without uttering a sound, reeled, threw up his arms. and collapsed in pool of blood on the floor. The bullet had struck the young soldier in the center of the forehead and then. passing through his brain, had lodged in the clothes closet behind him. pr. James E. Tanner, whose office is opposite tho factory rushed to the scene and ad- ministered first aid. The dying so1- dier was hurried to the Hartford hos pital in the police ambulance, but died at 9:55 o'clock without having regained consciousness.
 When the fatal shooting occurred there were fourteen members of Com- pany E doing duty at. the Pratt & whitney factory. They were in charge of Sergeant Wilbert Veley. Sergeant Henry Logan and Corporal Henry Overstrom were also outside cf the factory with the other guards. Major Purcell arrived at the factory short time after the shooting and, ft is said. expressed the opinion that