The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1900-12-29
KILLS AN OFFICIAL
AUDITOR MoRRrs SLAIN BY A DIS
CHARGED EMHpLOYE.
Washington Tragedy Results From
8. H. Macdonald, the slayer, LOS
ing His Job-Murderer Makes .
Desperate Attempt to Take His
Own Life, and Is SO Seriously
Wounded That His Death Is
Hourly Expected-MacDonald nas
Long Borne a Grudse Against
Morris. s
Morris.

washington, Lee. Z0.-Erank ii. MOT.
ris Of Ohio, auditor Of the war depart
ment. was shot through the. heart in
his Office in the Winder building on
Seventeenth street by Samuel r.. Mac
Donald, also of Ohio. formerly. disburs-
ing clerk under Mr.. Morris, discharged
by him last February.
Macdonald. fired five shots at Morris,
one only hitting him., and then rushed
from the room, where he was met by
Waterman Cusic, who tried to slap the
murderer. Macdonald struck Cusick
with his revolver, broke away, and then
turned his weapon on himself, firing the
last shot in the chamber nto his stom-
ach. He plunged down the steps at the
entrance Of the building, and, sitting
down on the curb, began jabbing his
neck with a pocket knife. The police
arrived and prevented him from cut
ting his throat seriously. He was taken
to the emergency hospital, where an
operation vas performed to remove the
bullet. The latest reports from the
hospital state tina he is in a precari-
ous condition and his death is momen-
tarily expected. Cusick suffered only
a slight injury.
An eyewitness to part of the encoun-
ter stated that on hearing the sound OF
the shots he raj into the auditors office
which he had just left. He saw the
two men struggling in each others
arms, Macdonald holding his revolver
close up to Norris breast. Macdonald,
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.
Result of Old Grudge.
Macdonald has borne. a grudge
against Auditor Morris since last Feb
position as disbursing clerk for the au-
ditor OF the war department at 1000
per year salary to a 1,400 position I'M
der the auditor of the postofice depart
ment. Mr.. Morris was not to blame for
his reduction. A shortage of $1,000 was
found in MacDonald's accounts. Mac
Donald had been careless in his habits
and drank a good deal, which counter
more against him than the shortage, 1t
is said, as this was made good. He
claimed the money was stolen from his
safe. He had been in the service since
August, 1869, when appointed in the
treasury department by Secretary
Sherman, and had always been thought
trustworthy. Morris was a strict disci-
p1inarian, and Macdonald blamed him
for his humiliation, although Assistant
Secretary vanderlip said Mr.. Morris did
not have anything to do with it.
Macdonald admitted when placed un-
der arrest that he had shot Morris. but
would make no other statement. He
left his desk at the p%ostofice depart
ment: shortly before noon. saying he
might not be back during the day. One
of his friends then wished him a merry
Christmas, to which he replied there
was nothing in it" is-e 9 y
That the murder and the intention Of
self destruction were premeditated is
shown, by MacDonald's resignation Sat-
urday from. his place in the p%ostoff1ce
department and other arrangements Of
his affairs.