The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-12-23
We're Struggling I'm Each Others
Arms when a Clerk Entered and
witnessed the Tragedy.
MDoNALD PUT UNDER ARREST
ASSAULTED THE wATCHMAN AS HE
WAS ATTEMPTING TO ESCAPE.
Also Put n Bullet I'm Himself and
SInshed His Throat-Career of
the Auditor and His Assailant.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 22.-Frank II. Nor
ris, of Ohio. auditor of the War Depart
ment, was shot and instantly killed about
2.lO o'clock this afternoon by Samuel Mac
Donald, of Ohio, recently disbursing clerk
of the treasury. in the formers office, at
the Winder building, on Seventeenth street.
Macdonald afterward shot himself and
also slashed his throat with penknife.
Auditor Morris was closeted alone with
Macdonald when the shooting occurred,
and in trying to make his escape he also
assaulted the watchman, Thomas Cusick,
with the butt of his revolver. He was ar
rested while leaving the building. When
the officers arrested him he was heard to
excIairn: II did it. L know I'm done for
An eyewitness 10 the latter part Of the
encounter stated that on hearing the sound
CT the shots he ran into the auditors office,
which he had just left On entering the
room he saw the two men struggling in
each others arms. Macdonald holding his
revolver close up to Morris's breast. Mac
Donald after firing again. attempted to get
out of the room, but encountered number
of clerks and employees which the sound OF
the firing had brought to the doors, and
then turned and fired. This is believed to
have been the fatal shot. Employees who
knew Macdonald said he had grievance
against Morris, 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
diseased brain from overindulgenee in
liquor. ,
Mcdonald was removed TO the Emer-
gency Hospital, where the doctors have
been busfIy engaged in trying TO save his
life. He was bleeding profusely from
ssashes he had made across his throat, but
ii was found on examination that the Jug
uIar vein had not been pierced and that the
wound was not likely TO endanger his life.
The bullet wound in the breast proved 10
he more serious. The bullet entered the
left breast below the heart and lodged In
the back between the ribs. An operation
was performed and the ball removed. The
doctors were hopeful the would pull
through unless blood poisoning or unfavor-
able symptoms developed While Nc
Donald was in the hands of the surgeons
police officer sat near him and kept him
under constant surveillance. Technically
he is under arrest and in the custody Of the
going on there will be no restraint beyond
surveillance. Owing to the critical nature
of his wounds the doctors have not per-
mitted him to be seen for the purpose of
giving statement.
The desperate character Of the struggle
between Morris and Mcdonald is disclosed
by the stories of the officials of the audi
tors office who were near the scene Of the
tragedy. The auditor sat at his desk sign
ing the days mail when Mcdonald entered
and asked for a few minutes private con-
versation with him. Clerks in the adj
joining office heard loud talking, and Nc
Donald was apparently threatening. Then
they heard Morris turn in his chair and
come toward the doorway. Morris backed
into the room. Mcdonald following a few
feet away. The first shot had been fired
just as Morris backed in. 1t missed the
mark and was imbedded in the doorway.
The clerks Mortified. stepped forward to
intervene. But as they did so Mcdonald
reached forward and grabbed Norris by the
coat collar and dragged him back into the
auditors office. Now the men were breast
10 breast. There not time for the
clerks To rush in and no one saw what fol-
lowed Immediately thereafter. but two
shots were heard in rapid succession. 1t Is
evident that Morris sought TO grab the
weapon from his assailant and that his
hand was over the barrel when the second
shot was fired. for his hand is pierced, the
ball then imbedding itself in the wall.
Mcdonald then put the revolver close to
the auditors heart and fired for the third
time This time the bullet went to its
mark and Morris fell lifeless. The clerks
looked in and saw Mcdonald standing over
his victim. AS they looked they saw him
turn the weapon against himself and fire.
Then he walked 10 the hall. Mcdonald
threatened the life of anyone who dared In
tercept him. Ii was then that he struck
Cusick. who was In the hall and who made
effort TO stop him. Going 10 the street
he sat down a pile of bags and drew the
pen knife from his pocket and slashed his
throat. Two police officers were near by
and seized the man. He made no resistance
and was taken to the hospital.
The body of Morris was lifeless when his
subordinates reached his side. The bosom
OF his shirt was powder-marked where the
shot went in. showing how near the weapon
had been held. The remains were taken TO
an undertaking establishment and Coroner
hewitt will hold an inquest on Monday. the
funeral following that afternoon or Tues
day.