Evening star., 1934-09-03
ACCIDENTAL SHOT
FATAL TO OCOLUMBO
Crooner Killed by Photog-
rapher Friend Who Was
Showing "UnIoaded" Gun.
By the Associated Press.

By the Associated Press.
HOLLYWOOD, Calf, September 3.
The grooming voice OF Russ Columbo.
familiar TO millions of radio listeners
and motion picture fans. is stilled.
A sudden shot from an ancient
dueling pistol, accidentally discharged
in the hand OF q friend, Lansing V.
Brown, photographer. sent bullet
within few hours last night.
Inquest to Be Held.
The county coroner announced an
inquest would be held, but he did not
set date and said he did not know
yet what witnesses would be called.
Funeral arrangements await this ac-
ton. Brown was not held.
Carole Lombard, Aim actress, with
whose name that of Russ Columbo
had been linked romantically, dis
closed today she had an untitled Sun
day supper engagement with him.
Miss Lombard was at Big Bear. o
mountain resort near here. when Co
Jumbo was wounded and her mother
advised her by telephone. The actress
left at once for Hollywood, but arrived
after his death.
1T is impossible for me to express
In words how deeply shocked am by
this tragedy" said Miss Lombard. 1T
is blow to me. as 1 know 1t will be
to Russ millions Of friends and ad-
mirers.
Il know that Russ was destined for
the most successful year Of his career.
He had told me of several offers he had
had and he was scheduled within q
few days to take up new radio con-
tract,
Viewed Picture With Lombard.
"Only last Friday night we saw to-
gether a preview of his latest picture"
Miss Lombard and William Powell,
screen actor, were divorced q year
ago. She and Columbo had been seen
often together, but had denied they
we're engaged, saying they were lust
very good friends"
Columbo had called yesterday at
the home of Brown, who counts
among his patrons many prominent
players and performers OF the screen
and radio. They we're looking at Are
i aIInS III 6TOWH . COlicCIlOH.
IT was absent -mindedly fooling
with one Of the guns" Brown told
detectives. ut was Of duelling de-
sign and works with a cap and
trigger.
IT was pulling back the trigger and
| clicking it time after time. mad
match in my hand and when I
clicked, evidently the match caught
in between the hammer and the firing
pin. There was an explosion. Russ
slid to the side of his chair"
| The bullet had ricocheted from a
mahogany table and then struck CO.
Jumbo.
''It was all mighty fast" said
Brown. i thought he was clown
ing"
When he saw that the singer was
wounded Brown called his father and
mother, who were in another room.
The elder Brown summoned an am
bulance and police.
II bought these pistols ut an an
tique store" Brown, jr., told officers.
Il have had the collection for seven
years. / had never made an exam
ination to see whether they were
loaded, they were so old. had no
idea ut all they were loaded"
Remained Unconscious.
Columbo did not regain conscious
ness. Carl Laemmle, jr., who had
advanced the singer to stardom in his
just-completed picture, Wake Up and
Dream" was in close touch with the
hospital by telephone.
Mrs. Nicholas Columbo was Ill In q
Santa Monica hospital following
heart attack. She was not told Of
her sons death.
A young woman, who many thought
was Sally Blame, screen actress, who
once was reported engaged to Co
Jumbo, waited at the hospital and
left weeping convulsively when she
was told the singer had died.
DR.. George w. Patterson, brain
specialist, who was summoned 10 re-
move the bullet from the singers
brain, said efforts to stimulate the
patient so the delicate operation
could be performed were unsuccessful.
He expressed surprise that Columbo
lived as long as he did.
Youngest Of Twelve Children.
Columbo, the youngest of IL chill
dren. was born in Camden. N. j., and
before he had finished he was away
on concert tour, playing the violin,
| seeking q musical career. His interest,
however, turned to singing, first with
orchestras and then doubling" In
voice for film stars.
His voice was first heard over the
air in broadcasts by an orchestra
here. He joined Gus Arnheim's Or
chestra and remained with 1t @ year.
A friendly rivalry sprang up between
him and Bing Crosby, who also was
with Arnheim.
Columbo suddenly decided he wanted
his own orchestra and formed one,
playing at a cafe here. Con Conrad
chanced to hear him sing there and
was impressed with the way he put
over" his songs.
He took Columbo to New York City,
where he made his stage debut in
1880. Radio services sought him and
he soon was known the country over
through national broadcasts.
The singer teamed with Conrad to
write several song hits, among them.
You Call 1t Madness but I Call It
Love" With Leo Robins he wrote
Time on My Hands" and Just An
other Romance"
A year ago he returned to Holly
wood and was given a long-term con-
tract by Universal. Previously he had
had parts in other films, among them
Broadway Through Keyhole."
Columbo was not married. He lived
with his parents In a Beverly Hills
home he had bought for them.