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 to
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 with
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-worl1ers 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 recuperating 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. l am so
sad over this unfortunate affair that
when 1 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 / wrote to the Very Rev.
Provincial also. This morning 1 Of
fered the holy sacrifices for his soul
God grant him eternal rest
My chief regret since the fearful
occurrence is that I can not preside
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
1orty-eiEht 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 un-
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 a front pew with Mayor Speer
and Sheriff Nisbet. The governors
letter follows:
Denver, Feb. 27. 1908
TO Father Eusebius and the Priests
and Brothers Of the Franciscan Or
DER of St Elizabeth's Church, Denver.
Colo, Greeting
j write to express my deem svn1-
parhy with you in the unspeakable
grleI which has come to you in the
death OF Father Leo. This dreadful
tragedy has awakened sympathy in all
hearts for you who were so closely as
wit l
whom he loved so well. While the man
ner of 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
beautiful and faithful member of
christ ne was. He bore on his BODY ,
marks OF the Lord Jesus He has had
opportunity 10 witness a good confess
son IN the presence of all the people.
Iod mas now withdrawn him into the :
1eeps Of eternal life J
Il pray that his mantle NAV fall on l
zach one Of the members of vour {
order. Very sincerely.
HENRY A. BUCHTEL.
chancellor of the University of Den ,
Yer. Governor of Colorado"
The franciscan Fathers made 2 nub- :
lc acknowledgment Of their anprecia-
ION OF the sympathy Of the public in :
ne IoHoWlhg letter to which they have :
yiven publication: v
Whilst it is difficult for us 10 do
% 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 feIIow q
itizens Of Denver for that deep and !.
sympathy with which thew
ave surrounded US during these days
f trial ''S
We were not at all surprised at !, !,
NAT wonderful and significant demon =
tratlon Of abhorrence for such a crime
'hlch Denver has given to our conn 2
~ ana to the world this last week. n
ut what has come home very close a
Y 10 our hearts is the personal note ie
ways touchingly manifest In the at "
tnoe and utterances of all creeds
mat we shall never let fan the
lemory. Of such generosity goes with
ut saying. and we here declare tba+ Y
ur gratitude shall always cling around n
hat memory. Il
THE FATHERS AND pFOpTr or Is
ST. ELIZABETHS OH a