New-York tribune., 1900-12-23
MURDER In WASHINGTON
WAR DEPARTMENT AUDITOR
SHOT DEAD IN HIS OFFICE
THE ASSASSIN, A CLERK WHO HAD BEEN
REDUCED IN RANK, ATTEMPTS
TO COMMIT SUICIDE.

washington. Dec. 22.-Frank H Morris. of
Ohio, Auditor for the War Department was
shot and instantly killed about 2:1o O'Clock this
afternoon by Samuel Macdonald. also Of Ohio.
recently a disbursing clerk 6f the Treasury in
the formers office at the winder Building, in
seventeenth-st. Macdonald afterward shot him
self and slashed his throat with a penknife
Norris was alone with Macdonald when the
.hooting occurred. In trying TO escape MacDon-
aid assaulted the watchman. Thomas Cusick.
with the butt Of his revolver. He was arrested
while leaving the building Before being taken
into custody. however, he shot himself in the
breast and made an ugly cash in his throat
with a small penknife. When the officers
rested him he exclaimed:
L did il! I know I'm done forr'
THE ASSASSIN LIKELY TO RECOVER.
Macdonald was removed TO the Emergency
Hospital. where the doctors have been busily en-
eseed in trying to save his life. He was bleed
ing profusely from the gashes he had made
across his throat, but il was found on examina-
tion that the jugular vein had not been pierced
ana that the wound was not likely TO be fatal.
The wound in the breast proved TO be more seri-
ous The bullet entered the left breast below
the heart and lodged in the back between the
ribs An operation was performed and the bull
le, was removed. The doctors were hopeful that
the man would pull through. unless blood poi
soning or other unfavorable symptoms devel-
oped.
While Macdonald was in the hands Of the sur
eeons police officer sat near him and kept him
under constant surveillance. Technically he is
under arrest and in the custody OF the police,
but while the fight for his life is going on there
will be no further restraint. Owing TO the crit
,oal nature Of his wounds, the doctors have not
nernitted him TO be seen for the purpose OF CIV
ing statement
4 witness OF the latter part OF the encounter
between Morris and Macdonald said that on
hearing the shots he ran into the Auditors OF
soe which he had just left. On entering the
room he saw the men struggling in each others
arms. Macdonald holding his revolver close to
No-ris's breast Macdonald, after firing again,
attempted TO get out OF the room, but encoun-
tered a number Of clerks and employees whom
the sound Of the firing had brought 10 the doors.
and then turned and fired again. This is be-
ieved 70 have been the fatal shot Employees
who know Macdonald said he had grievance
against Norris who, he asserted, was responsi-
HE for having his pay reduced. Others said that
thew could not attribute his deed to anything
but a diseased brain from overindulgence IN
liquor
THE VICTIMS CAREER
Frank =. Morris was a native of Cleveland.
Obio He was formerly engaged in business
there. and had for long time been recognized
as g prominent Republican politician. He was
forty.aine years old and leaves widow and
two sons He entered the Government service at
the beginning of the present Administration as
Auditor for the Navy Department. In the hrst
Two years he made an exceptionally good record
Tor efficiency bringing the delayed work up to
date ard putting the Office in better shape tnah
ever before A year or more ago Morris was
made Auditor for the War Department. chang
ing places with Auditor Brown In this new
place he maintained his record an executive
officer and soon had the work, which was much
behfnd, up, 70 date. He was well regarded by
the Treasury officials, but was not popular with
some Of the subordinates in his office, who com
planned that he was unnecessarily harsh IN ms
treatment OF them and often exacted more
than they could do. II is said that in order 10
keep the work up TO date, he would require
annual vacation The Treasury officials do not
agree with these statements. and say that he re-
CURED from each clerk good days work, ana
more
RECORD OF THE MURDERER.
Macdonald is brother Of William H MacDon-
aid the well-known barytone singer of the Bos-
-onians. who is said 70 have educated him for
the oners+ic stage. He is unmarried. ffty-eight
zAsrs Of age. and tall and fine looking. He en-
tered the Government service soon after the
Civil War In 1859 he removed from his
Mace as chief of division in the once OF the
Commissioner Of Customs. IN leSo ne was re- re-
appointed clerk in the ONCE OF the Auoltor ior
The War Department. In 1887 he was made as
tursjng officer in that office. in addition to his
other duties receiving in all S2,oOo year IN
z-et-,,srv of this year his accounts were found
81 coo short and upon being required 70 make
IN explanation he said that on one occasion ne
had forgotten TO close his safe on leaving his
Office and that il had been robbed OF Sl'Voo He
rrodnced evidence which tended TO exonerate
him from the charge OF taking the money, an aIlo
ar he fr1rneaiafelv made good the amount, moth
ing further was done except TO reduce his salary
10 81 400 and transfer him TO the office Of the
Auditor for the Postoffice Department, where ne
was employed al the time Of the Tragedy IL IS
said that Macdonald has been hard orlnker at
times and that many Of his mistortunes can pe
traced TO this source He has many frlenos'
however. who regard him as man OF excellent
qualities.