Murder of Frank Femia

North Olean History, Murder of Frank Femia
MURDER OF FRANK FEMIA
Whatever became of Frank Femia? The book 'Tiger At The Bar' states that a few months after the trial of Femia and Delguidce for the murder of Joseph Scutella, Ritchie hounded Femia in another county. Thus resulting in the closing of Femia's nightclub, and a few weeks later Femia was shot and killed. I would like to tell you of the demise of Frank Femia.

After Femia was acquitted in the murder of Joe Scutella, he opened a roadhouse in Allentown, Allegany County that was raided on a Saturday night in 1928. Femia was picked up by the Allegany authorities on a public nuisance charge with the aid of Al Ritchie, and was sentenced after pleading guilty to the charge in County Court at Belmont, N. Y. Upon finding that things had become too hot for him in Allegany County, Femia took leave of there and he was not heard of in this area again. There were speculations that he was dead or that he was operating a place in Pennsylvania.

The year was 1936. One of the largest stills ever uncovered by Federal agents since Prohibition, was seized in a barn on a farm in the Town of Ashford, Erie County. Eight men were arrested, six from Buffalo and included in the group were William Palmer and Frank Ferine (Femia). Bail was set at $2000 pending a hearing. This is the first time Femia was mentioned in the papers since he left Allegany County.

Less that a month later, on a early Sunday morning in February 1936, Frank Femia was found dead with four bullets in his head and face, lying at the foot of Rock Cut Hill on the Olean-Salamanca Road. Robbery was not considered to be the motive, since there were one hundred dollars and a valuable stickpin on the body. Frank A. Geyer, who discovered the body as he drove to church about 8 o'clock that Sunday morning, notified the State Police at Allegany. He also stated that he had not noticed the body as he drove in the opposite direction earlier that day.

Thomas A. Allen, who lived nearby, his home overlooking the scene, reported that he heard what he thought were shots shortly after midnight on Saturday night. He also stated that he heard other shots and saw several flashes, while seeing three men enter a car and drive off. Marks at the scene were clues that at least three men beside the victim were there.

Conducting the investigation at the scene were Sergeant Krick and Trooper Broughton, who in turn notified Sheriff Lester W. Carlson, Coroner William M. Smith and District Attorney A. Edward Krieger. After completing a lengthy investigation at the crime scene, they ordered the remains of Femia to be taken to the Lennon Mortuary at Allegany.

Investigator Miller made the statement that shortly before midnight Femia had been talking to three men in a local restaurant and all had left the place at same time. According to a local woman, Femia had gone with her to a local movie on Saturday night and while they were on their way home in a taxi Femia decided to stop at a local restaurant to see if a man named "Bill" was inside. (This is the man he was last seen with.) He immediately returned to tell her that "Bill" was inside and that he would be home no later than twelve thirty that night. She told the authorities that he went into the tavern and she continued home in the taxi, stating that "Bill" was Willliam Palmer.

Two men, (whom I will not name) both of Olean, were being held as material witness in the Femia murder. They were arraigned before County Judge Orla E. Black with bail set at $7500.
The two Hornell men, Joseph Serio and Leslie Dymond, who it was said had dinner in Olean with Femia that night, were brought to Olean for questioning. After being questioned for some time by the county and state police, they were allowed to return to Hornell. The investigating officers admitted that they were "against a stone wall".

Famia's only known relative was his mother in Italy. His remains were taken to the residence of Isabel Sheehy, of N. Eight St. Frank Femia was buried at St. Bonaventure Cemetery.

The following also worked on the case, Lt. William George of Friendship State Police Barracks, the New York Police 'Scotland Yard' unit, Troopers Oscar Laxeroff and Donald Girven of the Batavia Barracks. Police chief John C. Dempsey also aided in checking up on the local angles of the case.

The spot, along the Olean-Salamanca road where the body of Femia was found, was within sight of the spot where the body of Joseph Scutella was found on September 14, 1927. Thus Police Chief Dempsey, who while discussing the case liken it to the death of Machine Gun Jack McGurn, who was slain on the anniversary of the famous Valentine Massacre at Chicago.

FEMIA ARRESTED IN 1927
BEFORE THE DEMISE OF JOE SCUTELLA
It was 3 a.m. on a Sunday morning in May of 1927 when a fire of an incendiary origin was discovered in the Roma Restaurant at 717 West State Street. Policeman John Grandusky who was returning home after going off duty discovered the fire and turned in the alarm from Box 35. Femia had operated the Roma Restaurant from 1926 until 1927.

The Fire Chief reported that the interior of the place, the second floor bedrooms had been soaked the kerosene oil and the fire gutted the Roma Restaurant. There was no one in the building at the time, but several people were sleeping in the adjoining building, the World Hotel.

As the result of the investigation made by both the police and fire departments Frank Femia, age 24 of Olean, was arrested. He was charged with second-degree arson in police court on the complaint of Fire Chief L G. Rogers. Femia was held without bail for the Grand Jury and was taken to the Little Valley jail by Officer John Grandusky. (Was this when Scutella paid Femia's bail of $1500?)

Joseph Leuzzi was the owner of the building and Carl Marino was the last proprietor of the restaurant. The damage was estimated at $1500 to the furnishing and $6500 to the building.

Murder of Joseph Scutella The Trial of Femia and Delgiudice
Part I | Part II | Part III | Part IV

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