OBIT: Antonio GIOIOSA, 1918, Altoona, Blair County, PA

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ITALIAN BOY CRUSHED BY LOAD OF HAY
Antonio Gioiosa, Aged 3 Years, Run Down by Frank Ventre While at Play

DRIVER IS CHARGED WITH KILLING

  Antonio Gioiosa, the little 3-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. Angelo 
Gioiosa, of 113 Seventh avenue, was run down and fatally injured by a 
big hay wagon while at play in front of his home at 4:40 o'clock 
yesterday afternoon and as a result of the injuries sustained died at 
the Altoona hospital at 6 o'clock.
  Frank Ventre, of Hillside, the owner and driver of the team and 
wagon, was arrested at 8:30 o'clock on a warrant sworn out by Constable 
H. M. Gill, charging him with the killing of the boy.  Ventre fled from 
his home after the accident and could not be located until the hour of 
his arrest, when he was captured and locked up at the city prison.
  Antonio Gioiosa with his older brother, Michale, and several other 
children, were at play in the street in front of the Gioiosa home 
during the late afternoon.  Frank Ventre came along with a load of hay, 
hauled by two horses.  The hub of the front wheel struck little Antonio 
as he stood to the side of the street, causing him to lose his balance.  
He slipped and fell under the wheels.  The rear wheel passed over his 
stomach, and with a cry he became unconscious, being picked up for 
dead.
  According to eye witnesses, the older brother, Michale, came near 
meeting the same fate.
  Mrs. Rose Sinise, a neighbor of the Gioiosas, was standing on her 
porch when the accident occurred and she gave the following version of 
the affair:
  The Gioioso children were standing at the side of the street, just at 
the gutter, when Ventre came along with a load of hay.  The hub of the 
front wheel struck little Antonio and caused him to lose his balance.  
He slipped and fell right in front of the back wheel and it passed over 
him.
  She said that she thought at first it was Michale but discovered her 
mistake when Mrs. Pasquale Martina, of 117 Seventh avenue, ran into the 
street and picked up the child.  He just gave one cry and then was 
still.  Mrs. Martina called to Ventre to stop as he had run over a 
child, but he paid no attention to her.  Several others called to 
Ventre but he kept right on going.  Mrs. Martina carried the boy into 
his home and efforts were made to get a doctor, but one could not be 
found.  The hospital ambulance was then called and the boy taken to the 
hospital.
  Mrs. Sinise also said that her husband, David Sinise, ran after 
Ventre and endeavored to get him to stop.  He told him, she said, that 
he had killed a boy but that he couldn't stop
[Continued on page 8]

and said he had to get the hay unloaded.
  District Attorney M. D. Patterson was notified and he in turn 
notified the city police, requesting that Ventre be apprehended and 
arrested for killing the boy.  Officers went to the Ventre home and 
found that the man on arriving there unhitched the horses, changed 
clothes and disappeared.  Constable Gill then went before Alderman 
Shuff, of the Fourth ward, and made information against Ventre, 
charging him with being responsible for Antonio Gioiosa's death.  Gill 
and Police Sergeant Haverty went to the home of George Ventre, at 
Llyswen, near the Driving park, found that Ventre had been there and 
left.  They returned to the Ventre home in a hurry and at 8:30 took 
their man into custody.
  Ventre after being locked up at the police station said he knew 
little of the accident, that he had a two horse hay wagon, loaded with 
about a ton and a half of hay and was very heavy.  He said there were a 
dozen children playing on the side walks the wagon approached and that 
several ran into the street to pull hay from the load.  He said that he 
didn't see the accident but heard the women shout and pick up a boy.  
He supposed the little boy had tried to pull off some of the hay and 
being too short to reach was caught by one of the rear wheels.  He 
admitted that he was scared when he reached home over the accident.
  Deputy Coroner Rothrock has begun an investigation, has heard the 
story as told by Mrs. Sinise and other women in the neighborhood and 
will conduct an inquest in the case.
  Antonio Gioiosa had lived until September 1 would have been 3 years 
of age.  He was one of four children and was rather small for his age.  
The remains were taken in charge by Undertaker Gilden to be prepared 
for burial and this morning will be taken to the home.  The funeral 
will take place Wednesday morning with mass at Mt. Carmel church at 9 
o'clock.  Interment will be made in Calvary cemetery.

Altoona Tribune, Tuesday morning, July 30, 1918, pp. 1, 8.

NOTE: Surname is spelled Gioioso and Gioiosa in this obituary.

FUNERAL NOTICE.

  The funeral of Antonio Gioiosa, the little 3-year-old son of Mr. and 
Mrs. Angelo Gioiosa, of 113 Seventh avenue, run down and killed by a 
hay wagon Monday afternoon, will take place from his home this 
afternoon and proceed to Mt. Carmel Catholic church, where services 
will be conducted at 2 o'clock.  Interment will follow in Calvary 
cemetery.

Altoona Tribune, Wednesday morning, July 31, 1918, page 10