OBIT: Tony KRALJ, 1940, Garrett, Somerset County, PA

File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Meyersdale Library.
Transcribed and proofread by: Richard Boyer.

Copyright 2009.  All rights reserved.
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TONY KRALJ

Garrett Scene of Sensational Murder-Suicide
Aged Constable Victim of Mentally Deranged Cobbler

  The nearby borough of Garrett was the scene Saturday morning of a sensational 
murder and suicide when Tony Kralj, 55, the town's cobbler, a native of Southern 
Austria, fatally wounded Robert Phenicie, 65, for a quarter of a century 
constable of Garrett, with a 30-30 high powered rifle.  The bullet entered 
Phenicie's body just above the left hip bone, tore through the abdomen and came 
out almost opposite frpm where it entered.
  The first person to notice that Phenicie had been shot was Harry Neil, 
blacksmith, who was walking a few paces back of the wounded man, when he slumped 
to the sidewalk.  Neil also heard the shot, but before he came to where the 
wounded man had fallen, Phenicie was able to get up and, recognizing Neil called 
for him to secure a conveyance to take him to his home.

Brought to Hazel McGilvery Hospital

  In a short time Howard Merrill arrived upon the scene with his car and with 
the assistance of Mr. Neil, Merle Layton, Jim Baker and Benjamin Sheeler, 
Phenicie was brought to the Hazel McGilvery Hospital here.  Dr. C. C. Glass, 
head of the hospital, made an examination and found the condition of the wounded 
man to be serious, and recommended that he be taken to the Community Hospital in 
Somerset.  He was rushed to the Somerset hospital, where he died at 2:28 on 
Sunday morning.
  But a few moments after Phenicie was shot Kralj placed the muzzle of the gun 
under his chin and pulled the trigger.  The bullet passed upward through his 
brain, tearing off the top of his head.  Kralj, witnesses said, was stationed at 
the rear window of his cobbler shop on Center Street, and that he shot him as he 
was walking along the sidewalk after leaving the postoffice.

Believed Mentally Unbalanced

  On account of his allegedly peculiar actions for the past several months, 
Kralj was believed to have been mentally unbalanced.  Some time ago, after an 
automobile trip to Cumberland, Md., he told friends that upon his return journey 
home he had struck a man on the highway near Mt. Savage, and this seemed to pray 
upon his mind.  Finally his friends had officers to investigate, but after a 
thorough search of the records in the vicinity of where Kralj said he struck a 
man, no evidence was found to substantiate his statements.  
  Friends of Kralj said he seemed to have the opinion that Phenicie had a 
warrant for his arrest.  The former constable heard the rumor and on several 
occasions called at the Kralj's cobbler shop to assure him that neither he nor 
any other officer, so far as he knew, wanted to arrest him, and in every way 
possible tried to get the idea out of his head.
  The County Coroner, Dr. F. E. Sass, three members of the State Motor Police 
from Somerset barracks, and County Detective Harry C. Jacobs conducted an 
investigation Saturday afternoon.  Coroner Sass said the bullet which struck 
Phenicie entered the right side, punctured the five feet of the small bowel and 
emerged from right flank.
  After the investigation Coroner Sass, in the case of Kralj, said that the 
self-inflicted shot struck Kralj on the right side of the head and ripped off 
the top of his skull.  Coroner Sass later stated that no inquest would be 
necessary, pronouncing the tragedy murder and suicide.

Constable 25 Years

  Phenicie had served as constable for Garrett Borough for more than a quarter 
of a century.  His term of office expired last January 1, and since then had 
held no commission.
  Robert Phenicie was a son of Eli and Anna (Meyers) Phenicie, both deceased. 
Surviving are his wife, Savilla (Romesberg) Phenicie, and the following 
children: Mrs. Blanche Williams, of Cairnbrook; Mrs. Mabel Sheeler, of 
Stoystown, at home, and five grandchildren.  A son preceded him in death.
  A sister and two brothers, Mrs. Anna Gallagher, of Somerset, and Frank and 
John Phenicie, of Garrett. 
  Mr. Phenicie was a life-long and prominent citizen of Garrett, and during the 
long years that he served as constable he proved himself to be a brave and 
dutiful officer.
  Private funeral services were held at the Phenicie home Tuesday afternoon at 2 
o'clock by the Rev. Charles I. Rowe, pastor of the Garrett Evangelical Lutheran 
Church.  Interment followed under the direction of Charles R. Hauger, Somerset 
mortician.

Kralj Obsequies Monday

  Johnson & Son, Berlin morticians, following the tragedy removed the body of 
Kralj to their mortuary in Berlin, where it lay in state until Monday afternoon 
at 2 o'clock when it was taken to the Garrett Cemetery for burial.
  Tony Kralj was a native of Austria and emigrated to America 35 years ago, 
locating in the Garrett section.  For a number of years he followed mining, and 
about 20 years ago embarked in the shoe repairing business in Garrett.  He was a 
naturalized citizen of the United States.  Surviving are his mother, Mary Kralj, 
who resides in Austria, and also a sister by the same name residing in Europe, 
and a brother, John Koenig, with whom Kralj lived at their home just outside the 
borough limits of Garrett, in Summit Township.  His father, John Kralj, passed 
away several years ago.

Meyersdale Republican, February 1, 1940