The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1908-02-27
PRIEST MURDERED AT
ALTAR BY ANARCHIST
italian Shoot Father Leo Helm
richs Through Heart
During Devotions.

beaver, Colo. FEB. 26.-Father Leo
Heinrichs was shot and killed when adj
ministering the sacrament at early
mass In st. Elizabeth's Catholic church,
Eleventh and Curtis streets. this city,
at G o'clock yesterday morning.
KEeeling at the altar rail between
two women GuiSeppi Guarnacclo
pressed the muzzle of a revolver against
the body of the priest, after receiving
from him the consecrated wafer. and
shot the priest through the heart. Elk
claiming, My GOD: My God." Father
Leo fell prone in front of the altar and
died without uttering another word.
With an inarticulate scream, the
assassin sprang into the aisle, and
waving the nloking weapon about hi;
head dashed to the church door. For
a moment the hundred or more people,
III the church were dazed. Then a
woman shrieked and the congregation
was panic stricken. Some women faint
ed and many became hysterical.
Several men rushed to the aid of the
priest and others started in pursuit OF
the murderer. Among the latter was
Tatrolman Daniel Cronin, WHO overlook
the fieeing Italian on the church steps.
Guiseppi attempted to shoot the police
MAN and was foiled and overpowered,
only after a desperate fight in which
several men had come to the assistance
eff the officer.
Priest to BE canonized.
In 90 centuries of the history of the,
Catholic church. members of its priest
hood in this city, declare there is no
record of any trassdy to parallel the
killing OF Father Heinrichs. Never be-
fore has a servant of the church been
summoned from the performance of
his duties in SO tragic and dramatic,
manner. This crime will stand out as
one OF the most fearful in the GRIM
inal records of the world, and it's per-
petration Will probably result in the
80 l. I >~ ~ 31~ ~>-
Mon of Il martyr and will lead to his
concentration as one Of the saints of
the church in whose service he fell
while performing his duty.
Lynchine Feared.
The murderer was hurriedly removed
to the city Jail, ana as threats of sum
MARY justice were made by men in the
crowd, which quickly gathered in front
of the church. Chief of Police Michael
Delaney called out the reserve force
of patrolmen, who We're kept on guard
day and night
Ey direction of Bishop Mattz the
church door was closed for the day,
ana the following notice was posted:
Owing to the frightful tragedy enacted
tp this church by an unknown criminal,
superior and friend, Father Leo, all serv-
ices viii be discontinued for the day. Kind
hH, reader, breathe a silent prayer for the
Father Eusebius.
Deputy CCroner Daniel Hayes took
charge of Father I1eo's body, which
was removed to the city morgue. A
single hole in the white communion
robes Of the priest showed that the
bullet had gone straight to the heart.
Tho bullets remaining in the revolver
had been sharpened to Il fine point.
Boasts of Deed.
t.Eiscppi G~uarnaccio was placed in
s~o!itary confinement at the city jail.
He admitted to IA policeman who in
terviawed him that the priest whom
he rad killed WAS a stranger to him
and in explanation Of his crime made
the following statements:
Il just went over there because I
have a grudse against all priests in
WORKING man. i went to the com
ufuaion rail because I could get a bet
ter shot. l did not give a damn
whether he was a German priest or
any other kind of a priest. They are
all in the same class.
Il left italy three months ago; went
first to Central America and then
came 10 the United States and to Den
proud OF It. 1 shot MIN and my only
regret is that I could not have shot
the whole bunch of priests in the
church. 1 am a shoemaker, but have
not worked since coming to Denver"
An ANIMATION of letters taken
from Cuarnaccio showed that the only
definite address he appeared TO have
was No. 10 Wa!lez Place, Wakefield.
Mass. Guarnaccio told Chief of Po-
lice Delaney, Sheriff Nesbitt and sew
eral detectives who questioned hin.
that he started out this morning with
the intention Of killing four priests.
Had he succeeded in Guiding the po-
Acf, nc says he would have gone from
one church TO another until his VOW
was carried out.
Among the papers taken from the
assassin was . list of assassinationy
froil Car Paul, Of Russia. to the kill
ing Of the king of Portugal within
tl,a la ct month.
Hurried Away.
Although no actual demonstration
against the murderer of Father Leo
had been made, there was much ak
the justice Of lynchilg him. In order
II avoid an attack on the city Jail
Guaranccio was taken 20 the county
iaii. n more easily defended building,
Small groups OF men began to Congre-
gate near the county Jail and after a
consultation the authorities decided TO
take Guarnaccjo out OF town. Accord
ingiy he was hustled into an autolno-
bile and q fast run was made to Lit
Teton. IA miles from Denver. thence to
Colorado Springs.
Father Leo Heirrichs was born in
Koelh. Germany, August Is, 1867. He
entered the Franciscan order Deem
Der 4, 1886, and was ordained July
&c, 1891. He came to Denver last
September from Paterson. N. j., where
for three years he was rector of st.
Bonaventnres parish. He had pre-
vio!SlY served three years in Orogan
N. Y. where he distinguished himself
by rebuilding the church monastery
and other buildings that We're de-
strnyed by fire III 1902 lie was plan
ning to sail for Germany III Juna and
visit relatives whom he had not seen
for t6 years.
HISTORY PROFESSOR DEAD.
New Haven. Conn, Feb. 26.-1award