The Intermountain Catholic. (Salt Lake City [Utah] ;) 1899-1920, 1908-03-07
Sympathy in Death of Father Leo Is
General.


Although almost two weeks have
elapsed since Father Leo, shot Il
death by the assassin's bullet, passed
into the great unknown, the commu.
nifty is still stirred by the recent trag-
edy and letters from all parts of the
country are still pouring in TO the
Franciscan monastery connected witt
St Elizabeth's church-the monastery
of which the martyred Father Leo was
pastor
While no sentiment that feeble words
can express can comfort the bereaved
co-workers Of the humble Franciscan
who was slain while distributing the
holy eucharist to his little flock, the
MESA ges Of coincidence can soften the
bitterness of the personal loss of the
priests in the thought that the people
generally share their grief.
From out on the Pacific coast. where
he is TecupeTating from the strain of
the winters work, Bishop n. c. MatZ
sent this letter:
Franciscan Fathers, st. Elizabeth S
Church of Denver:
My Dear Fathers.-No words can ex-
press the horror that filled my soul
when Father Phillips telegram reach
ed me yesterday afternoon. I am so
sad over this unfortunate affair that
when l read the particulars in this
mornings paper I could not restrain
my tears. I can not realize that my
dear friend Leo is no more ] sent at
once my condolences by dispatch
which must have reached you this
morning, and I wrote to the Very Rev
Provincial also. This morning l Of
fered the holy sacrifices for his soul
God grant him eternal rest
my chief regret since the fearful
F10nurTenHn iC that I rnV 10
at the funeral This is impossible, both
on account of the condition of my
health, which will keep me here till
April, and also the distance, which
could not have covered in less than
forty-eight hours. Affectionately and
sorrowfully yours in Christ,
IN. c. MATZ,
Bishop Of Denver"
Considering that he is a minister of
the Methodist church, the letter from
Governor Henry A. Buchtel is an I'M
usual epistle, and one which the Cath
olics of the country appreciate. 1t
shows q broad-minded, tender-hearted
attitude on the part of the chief execu-
tive of Colorado, who, by the way, at
tended the funeral Of Father Leo. oc-
cupying front pew with Mayor Speer
and Sheriff Nisbet. The governors
letter follows:
Denver, Feb. q, 1908.
ITO Father Eusebius and the Priests
and Brothers of the Franciscan Or
der Of st. Elizabeth's Church, Denver.
Colo, Greeting:
I write to express my deep svnl-
paUhy with you in the unspeakable
grief which has come TO YOU in the
death of Father Leo This dreadful
tragedy has awakened sympathy in all
hearts Tor you who We're so closely. as
soctated with him and for the people
whom he loved so well. While the man
ner or his death is so horrible that
we scarcely allow ourselves to think
about ii. yet in the awful tragedy the
world has been permitted to see what
q beautiful and faithful member of
Christ he was. He bore on his BODY
marks Of the Lord Jesus He has had |
opportunity TO witness a good confess |
sion in the presence of all the peonIe |
God has now withdrawn him into the |
deeps Of eternal life
pray that his mantle may fall on |
each one Of the members of your
order. Very sincerely,
HENRY A. BUCHTFL.
chancellor Of the University of Den |
Yer. Governor of Colorado
The franciscan Fathers made p pub-
nc acknowledgment Of their apprecia |
ION on Inc sympathy of the public in
the following letter, TO which they have
given publication
Whilst it is difficult for us to do
so adequately. we desire to thank once
more from the bottom of our hearts.
he governor, the mayor. the clergy.
he police. the press and our fellow
citizens Of Denver for that deep and
sympathy with which they
nave surrounded us during these DAYS
# trial.
We were not at all surprised at
hat wonderful and significant demon
'tratlon Of adherence for such crime
Which Denver has given to our coun-
ny and TO the world this last weel,
'ut what has come home very close
y 10 our hearts is the personal note
'lways touchingly manifest in the Al
ltude and utterances Of all creeds
Ihat we shall never let fan the
memory Of such generosity goes with
'ut saving. and we here declare that
ur gratitude shall always cling around
hat memory.
LIE FATHERS AND PEOPLE OF
ST ETTZA y L7vIT,c " ~