The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1933-03-06
CERMAk DIES
OF SHOT FIRED
BY ASSASSIN
Mayor Had Waged Brave
Life Battle 10 Days
After Shooting.
FAMILY AT BEDSIDE
Zangara Nov Will Face
Murder Indictment
for Crime.
BY EDWARD w. LEWIS
United Press STAFF Correspondent

MIAMI Fla, March canton j.
Cermak- Tony from the coal mines,
who rose to be mayor of the nations
second city-died today from the eff
fects of bullet fired by an assassin,
who hoped to strike down Franklin
d. Roosevelt.
The heroic nineteen day battle
of the fighting mayor came to
quiet end at 6:55 a m. All through
the night, Cermak had been sinking
slowly.
Physicians, friends and family
alike recognized that another Of the
amazing rallies with which he has
surprised those around him before
could not be hoped for this time.
Gangrenous pneumonia had set
in to cOmplicate the colitis, and
heavy heart strain resulting from
the bullet which cut through his
abdomen, touched his lung and liver
and lodged in his spine.
The expected prosecution of Gui-
scppi Zangara, Cermak's assassin, on
a first degree murder charge was
delayed until an official report could
be obtained on the cause of Ger
mak's death.
Zangara Under Constant Guard
The death was caused by dry
gangrene Of the right lung, due to
infection from the bullet fired by
Zangara, DR.. f. C. Thomas, Dade
county physician, said after an
autopsy today.
Cermak's relatives now plan to
start back to Chicago with his body
at 6 p. m.
zangara was under constant
guard in his cell on the twenty
second floor of the county building
Precautions were taken against per-
hitting visitors, and he constantly
was watched by deputies to prevent
any attempt at suicide.
Unless the fact that the governor
has declared a legal holiday in con-
nection with the banking situation
interposes legal difficulties, it was
believed Zangaras trial would be
disposed of within thirty-SiX hours.
Fights Bravely Until End
If he is sentenced to be executed,
a delay of seven days before the
sentence could be carrid out would
be obligatory under the state law.
Mayor Cermaks death was an
nounced by Edward C. Kelley, head
of the south park board of Chicago,
who had been waiting through the
night near his friend and chief.
The mayors last night was
typical of the grim tenacity which
characterized his career. Before
midnight, his physicians had said
he could not live an hour more.
At $50 when he had sunk into
a coma they moved him out of the
oxygen room in which a precarious
spark of life had been maintained
for hours following a blood trans
fusion.
But still the mayor, unconscious,
battled on.
Relatives and friends went into
his room, stood a while by his bed
side and left, unable to watch the
touching, hopeless fight for long at
q time.
Family at Bedside
At the bedside when Cermak died
were his three daughters, his
brother, Joseph, and his sister Mrs
John Kallal; Mrs. Clara Beesley,
Cermak'S secretary; Dr. Frederick
Tice, one of the staff of consulting
physicians. and Or. r. c. Wood
ward, hospital superintendent
Vivian Graham, II, his grand
daughter, who held his hand for
hours during the night, also was at
the bedside.
The mayor died in the same room
in the right wing Of Jackson me-
mortal hospital where he had lain
through most of his long fight
He did not rouse before he died
Kelly said.
The Official medical announce
ment of death, signed by Dr. r. c.
Woodward, hospital superintendent,
said:
Mayor Cerma& passed away very
quietly and peacefully at 6:55 a. m"
The mayors daughters, Mrs. Lii
liam Graham, Mrs Ella Jirka and
Mrs Helen Kenlay broke down aft
er his death They refused to leave
his room. Weeping. they embraced
the body of their father.
Day of Mourning Is Named
Arrangements had been made
during the night to have the
mayors body taken to the Philbrick
funeral home,
From there. according to ten
tative plans, it will be taken late
today escorted by mayors of the
cities of greater Miami and by
Shriners and civic leaders, to a train
which will carry the worlds fair
mayor home.
Mayor Gautier of Miami declared
a day Of public mourning, and the
flag on the courthouse wa ordered
at half mast for a month.
Mayor a Frank Katzentine of
Miami Beach. a close friend of
Cermak, will accompany the funeral
party to Chicago.
Rose From Immigrant Home
Anton j. Cermak rose to political
power ana wealth from an immi-
grant home in the coal mining ham,
let of Braidwood, III.
His later life was shaped by the
trend of politics and it is as