New Britain herald., 1924-08-09
GILPATRIC LIKELY
 ID LOSE EYESIGHT
Is Blind Today and May Not
 Recover From Effects
SHOOTING IS UNEXPLAINED

Wants to H,e-Rsnk Examiners
 Finish Work Hut No Report is
 Given Public.
 Putnam. Aug. s.--Fssrs that O. Harold oilpatrie. state treasurer and cashier Of the First National bank of Putnam who shot himself at his home here Thursday will suffer loss of his eyssight. even should he otherwise re- cover from the bullet woune la his head were expressed today to the As- seciated Press correspondent by F. Raymond Gilpatric q brother of the wounded man. Mir. Gppatric said that his brother is blind today and unable 10 see. as result of the evident paralysis of the optic nerve. caussd by the shot which entered back Of his right eye and lodged behind the left eye.
 Condition still Critical
 His brother withstood the opera. fion in an attempt to remove pressure from the brain yesterday and he pass- ed a restful night. Raymond Gilpatrie said. He confirmed however the re- ports from the hospital that his bre4h- eris in critical condition and s1nked that altogether the case is not any too hopeful. No further attempt has been made 10 locate the bullet
 Directors Do Not Meet
 The meeting of the bank directors which 1t was announced last night would be held today was called ofs. 1t was announced at the bank shortly before noon. It had previously been reported that the directors had met at a. m. and 1t was anticipated that they might have before them for con- sideration the report of the federal bank examiners which was completed last night. The later report stated that the meeting had been abandoned as unnecessary.
 Federal Bank Examiner Green of the Boston district, remained here to- day, Examiner Beane and the others having left early today following the completion of the audit of the banks accounts.
 Wants to Live Now
 F. Raymond Gilpatric, in his ssate- ment today ventured no opinion or ia- formation as to the cause for the act Of the state treasurer. He did say however that there had been | change in the mental attitude of his brother who having previously expressed . wish not to live had now every desire to recover and Is fighting game bat tie for life. The change came, the brother said after his conferences with the members of his family and an avalanche of messages of encourage lnent from his friends.
 Bank Examiners Finish
 Federal bank examiners completed their examinations of the affairs of the bank late last night. They made no statement last night. The examiners were understood to have left the city with the exception of Examiner Beaus who remained to give advice to the ,ank officials in case of any possible Assistant Cashier Guy D. Baker declared that no discrepancies n the accounts of the institution had ,een discovered and reiterated his tatement that the bank was perfectly olvent.
 Makes No Statement
 Though conscious following yester- lays operation Mir. Gilpatric made no tatement in explanation of his at empt on his life. it was stated. Mrs. ,,o tr{c nyha arryx,Ad Frav~, Nf~t~> where she had been visiting at the ummer home of Walter Gilpatric. rother of Mir. Gilpatric, who came ,ith her and other members of the amily continued to remain silent as 0 the cause for the act of the state reasurer. Both Mrs. Gilpatric and he brother Walter. of White Plains, [. Y. visited MT. Gilpatric at the hos ital but what took place at the meet lg was not disclosed. It was learned that Mir. Gilpatrio fit a note at his home for his wife, 'hich was found after the shooting. he note was sealed and relatives who eclined to make public the contents. lid they were entirely personal.
 Mir. Gilpatric's condition was re- orted unchanged during the fore oon.
 Bank is Normal
 Conditions were absolutely normal the Putnam bank today. The re- ssuring statements of Assistant ashier Baker have completely al- yea any feeling of alarm locally con- srning the banks condition. Putnam eople were stunned by the news of r. Gilpatric's attempt on his life. ere generally willing to accept the alief that his act was impelled by ersonal reasons.
 (Continued on Seventh Paxe)