The Kendrick gazette. [volume] (Kendrick, Idaho) 1892-1968, 1908-11-20
Great Lawyer Hit In
Head by Pistol
Bullet.
MURDERER HAD BEEN RELIEVED
FROM JURY WORK ON AC-
COUNT OF RECORD.

The San Francisco bribery-g graft
cases had dramatic climax last Fri
day, when Assistant District Attorney
Francis J. Heney, who has been in
charge of the prosecution during it's
course Of two years, was shot and seri-
ously wounded in the crowded court
room by Morris Haas. The shooting oc-
CURED during brief recess in the
third trial Of Abraham Ruef on the
charge of bribery, which is now in it's
eleventh week.
The would-be assassin was a saloon
keeper, who was drawn upon the jury
panel in the second trial of Ruef, and,
after having been temporarily passed
by both sides, was. exposed in dra-
matte manner by Mr.. Heney as an ex-
convict and discharged from the jury.
Haas declared after the shooting that
Honey had ruined his life by this ex-
posure and that he had determined to
kill him for that reason.
Struck Crowd With Horror.
For q moment everybody seemed
stunned and paralyzed. The would-be
assassin, whose revolver was within
a foot and half of Heney's head
when he pulled the trigger, stepped
back, his arms by his side, one hand
still clutching the smoking pistol, as
if hesitating what to do. In a frac-
ton of a second an impressive silence
followed the report, while the smoke
of the shooting leisurely fioated away.
Then followed dramatic scene. Some
one shouted "My God! He has shot
Heney.' Explanations of horror burst
from the crowd. Half of the spectators,
evidently fearing further shooting,
made frantic rush for the doors.
Before the assassin could raise his
pistol again Foley and E. J. Wiskot-
chill, special policeman, were upon
him, had thrown him to the floor and
wrested the weapon from his grasp.
AS the man who had fired the shot
stepped back from the assistant dis
trict attorney, with the weapon in his
hand, he kept his eyes on Heney, as if
to see how effective his aim had been
Mr.. Heney arose out OF his chair, put
his hands to his head, the blood stream
ing through his fingers and reddening
the table in front of him, leaned over
moment, and was caught as he began
to fall.
Henev Asked for His Wife,
He was laid on the floor. He then
said: "Send for my wife,
Mr.. Honey was perfectly composed
the peculiar smile for which he is
known still lowering over his lips. Evi
IDENTITY he also believed that he was
fatally wounded. Turning his eyes te
Mr.. John O'Gara, his assistant in the
trial, he said:
Statement by Heney.
ct want to make dying statement
I believe I am going to die. I was sit
ting at my table when I felt what
though was blow. do not know
who shot me. I was doing nothing tc
any one.'
Ruef and his two attorneys, who
were out on the sidewalk, were startled
by the report and started for the court
room, but were forced down the steps
by the crowd rushing out.
Heney Has Had Notable Life.
Francis Joseph Heney was born OF
an Irish father and German mother
in Lima, New York, ON St. Patrick Is
day, March II, 1859. He was taken by
his parents to San Francisco when he
was but years of age, and grew up
street gamin, fighting his way W
through the youthful outlawry.
He has had a remarkable career il
Arizona, California and Oregon. Aftel
leaving the University of California hi
studied law and later worked as COW
boy and miner in various portions o.
the west. Finally he went to Tucson
Ariz, where he was noted for his fear
less disposition. He was the only law
yer in Tucson who dared take the cas-
of Mrs. Handy, who was suing her hus
band, prominent physician, for d
vorce. DIR. Handy had announced tina
he would shoot on sight any attorne
who took the case.
Heney Killed Man.
Heney became Mrs. Handy's lawye
and was one day attacked by DIR. Hal
,dy, Heney's superior in size an
strength. In the struggle that ensue
Honey drew pistol and shot Hand
dead. He was exonerated by co
oner's jury.
Later Heney came to San Francis
and practiced law. While well know
here because of his aggressive method
it was not until he had been appoints
special prosecutor in the Oregon la'
fraud cases that he became nation
character.
Heney for Cabinet.
1t has developed that Heney's nal
has been under consideration for att
ney general in Taft s cabinet.
To, r.,1,