The sun., 1900-12-24
NORRIS shot
War Department Official Killed In
Washington. -
ACT OF DISCHARGED CLERK.
The Murderer, Samuel Macdonald,
Knocked a Watchman Down and
Tried to XIII Himself, but May
Recoyer-Morris' Record.

Washington, Dec. 23.-Frank III. Nor
Ills of Ohio, auditor of the war depart
ment, was shot and instantly killed about
2:10 o'clock Saturday afternoon by Sam
uel Macdonald, also of Ohio, recently
disbursing clerk of the treasury, in the
formers office ut the Winder building on
Seventeenth street. Macdonald after
ward shot himself and also slashed his
throat with penknife.
Auditor Morris was closeted alone with
Macdonald when the shooting occurred.
In trying to make his escape Macdonald
assaulted the watchman, Thomas Gu
sick with the butt of his revolver. He
was arrested while leaving the building.
Before being taken into custody, how
ever, he shot himself in the stomach and
also made an ugly cash i'll his throat with
penknife. When the officers arrested
him. he was heard to exclaim: Il did it.
| know I'm done for" He may recover.
An eyewitness to the latter part of the
encounter between the two men stated
that upon hearing the sound of the shots
he ran into the auditors Office, which he
had just left. Upon entering the room
he saw the two men struggling in each
others arms, Macdonald holding his re-
volver close up to Morris breast. Mac
Donald after firing again attempted to
get out of the room, but encountered a
number of clerks and employees which
| the sound of the firing had brought to
| the doors and then turned and fired
again. This is believed to have been
the fatal shot. Employees who knew
Macdonald said he had grievance
against Norris who he claimed was re-
sponsible for having his pay reduced.
Others who knew him said that they
could not attribute his deed to anything
but n diseased brain from overindulgence
in liquor.
Morris Had Good Record.
Frank III. Morris was native of
Cleveland. He was 40 years of age and
leaves a widow and two sons. He en-
tered the government service at the be-
ginning of the present administration as
auditor for the navy department. Dur
ing the first two years he made an ex
ceptionally good record for efficiency
bringing the delayed work up to date and
putting the office in better shape than
ever before.
A year or more ago Morris was mad,
auditor for the war department, changing
places with Auditor Brown. In his new
place he maintained his record as an ex
ccutive officer and soon had the work
which was much behind. up to date. II,
was well regarded by the treasury Off
cals, but was not popular with some o
, the subordinates in his office, who com
planned that he was unnecessarily harsl
in his treatment of them and often ex
acted more work than they could do.
is said that in order to keep the work III
to date he would require them to wor
overtime and lose part of their annua
vacation. The treasury officials do NO
agree with these statements and say tina
he required from each clerk a good day
work and no more.
Macdonald is brother of William Il
!, Macdonald, the well known barton
= singer of the Bostonians, who is said I
have educated him for the operate stag
! He is unmarried, 80 years of age, and
q tall and fine looking. He is also frol
Ohio and has been in the governmer
! service since soon after the civil war.
! 1869 he was removed from his position {
chief of division in the Office of the con
missioner of customs. In 1890 he was r
appointed clerk in the office of the nj
= ditor for the war department In Is!
!, he was made disbursing officer in til;
y office in addition to his other duties, L
~ ceiving in all $1,000 year.
- short Ip His Accounts.
is In February. 1900 his accounts we
II found short $1,000 and upon being +
G. quired to make an explanation he clair
y cd that on one occasion he had forgottt
1t to close his safe on leaving his office al