Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-11-15
AssaiIant of District Attorney
Heney a Suicide.
SHOOTS HIMSELF IN HEAD
Trial of Ruef to Be Resumed; Rights
Not Prejudiced.
SAFEGUARD AGAINST TROUBLE
Wounded Man Subjected to X-Rays
to Locate Bullet-Possibility
Of Operation.

SAN FRANCISCO. November 14.-Mor-
ris Haas. who shot Francis j. Heney yes
terday, committed suicide at the county
jail tonight by shooting himself through
the head
Haas had concealed a small derringer
in his shoe and after retiring he pulled
blanket over his head and soon after
the guards We're startled by a pistol shot
The blanket was torn from the body of
Haas by the guards. and the would-b be
murderer and suicide was found lying,
gasping for breath. with a small bullet
hole through his head and blood flowing
from the wound.
Investigation showed that Haas had
concealed a derringer of a small caliber
in his shoe, where it escaped the notice
Of the officers woh searched him after
he was received at the jail His foot
showed traces of callousness from the
pressing of the weapon against it. as
his shoe for several days.
To Continue the Trial.
Gained by the assurances that Assistant
District Attorney Francis j. Heney, who
was shot yesterday in Judge LAWYERS
courtroom while in the performance OF
his duty. is to recover from his wound
unless some unforeseen condition devei-
ops, public opinion was turned today to-
ward the formulation of concrete express
with
the trial OF those indicted on charges OF
municipal corruption in the prosecution
of which Heney has been the dominant
character.
Several leading attorneys of the city
have volunteered to take up Heney's work
as a matter Of public duty and carry II
20 a conclusion.
Ruef Trial to Continue.
The trial of Abraham Ruef, which wa:
interrupted by yesterdays dramatic
shooting, will be resumed Monday. II
has been decided tina; the events in th'
courtroom did not prejudice the rights
of the defendant, the jury not being pres
ent.
| There was some intimation today thai
the defense would ask for change o.
| venue, basing the plea on the lnfia nee
| condition of the public mind. IL 1:
thought that such request would not be
considered by Judge Lawler
Guard for Court.
| At conferences today between Judge
Lawler Chief of Police Biggy and Sheriff
Haggerty preliminary steps were take.
to secure the court from further disorder
or violence, and to safeguad the rights
o. the defendant Ruef.
The vicinity of the courtroom Will OF
patrolled and a large force of police viii
! be held in reserve.
| The plans further provide that IN the
event of any disturbance the defendants
| will be quickly and quietly taken from
| the courtroom.
1t is also intimated that Judge Lawiel
| will exercise his prerogauVe and continue
| to keep Ruef In custody during the trial
| Precautions have been taken to protect
Ruef while confined in the county jail.
| Morris Haas, who attempted to Kill
Heney. is still kept at the county jai
| under guard No one is allowed access
| 10 him except representatives of the dis
| trict attorneys office. 1t is said he is IL
| q highly nervous condition.
Heney and his family were the recip
tents of many messages OF sympathy anf
cheer during the day. The messages
came from all sections OF the United
States and some from Europe.
Presidents Message Received.
One telegram that brought a smile from
the pain-drawn face of the prosecutor
| was a message from President Roosevelt
| 10 Mrs Heney.
Two X-ray photographs were taken to-
day in order to locate the exact position
of the bullet which, it is thought, rests
| in the region of the vocal chords. The
| plates will be submitted to tie attending
| surgeons tonight. If the exact loca ton
| of the bullet is disclosed an operation
will be performed.
A mass meeting was held at Dreamland
rink tonight to consider the situation
The meeting was presided over by Mayor
E. r. Taylor, and was addressed by a
| number of leading citizens, who counseled
the preservation of legal procedure and
the prosecution of every one charged
with the dehauchery of the public service