The star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1908-1909, 1908-07-16
LEOS ASSASSIN
HANGED, MONKS
PRAYING FOR HIM
Giuseppe Ala Executed for
Staying Former Paterson Priest
on Denver Altar.
Especial to the Evening Star.1


CANYON CITY. Colo, July 16.-Guis-
mer Paterson. N. j., priest, the Rev.
Father Leo Heinrichs, on the altar Of
st. Elizabeth's Church, In Denver, paid
the penalty for his crime here early to-
day On the gallOws.
Seeking to save the slayer's soul and
believing that he had time to accom-
plish his mission at the eleventh hour,
Father Wulstean, who administered the
late rites to the dying priest, left Den
yer last night for this city and arrived
here today, several hours after the
hanging. Father Wulstean brought a
message from the monks and priests of
st. Eliabeth's to Ala. whose shot killed
their most beloved brother.
ALA was hanged here almost at the
same homer that the chimes of st.
Elizabeth in Denver were ringing for
the prayers of the monks for the peace
Of his soul. Father Wustean left Dem
yer yesterday, believing that the slayer
would not be hanged until Friday, and
that he would have a full day for
prayer and communion, and possible re-
pentance.
Father Bernard. who succeeded the
beloved Father Leo Heinrichs as rector
OF st. E~lizabeth's, learned, after the de-
parture of Father Wulstean, that the
latter had left too late. and went per-
sonally to the State House to plead
with acting Governor Harper for q re-
prieve for one day. The Governor re-
fused to grant his petition.
Father Wulstean administered the
last sacramen of the church to Alias
dying victim, and it was the desire of
his brother monks that he perform the
same service for the slayer. The priests
of st. Elizabeth wished Ala might live,
instead of going to his death with his
soul unshriven.
Crime Shocked Paterson.
Father Leo, who went from Paterson,
N. j., to Denver, was beloved by all
who knew him, and the tragedy strucE
horror to the heart of every person In
Denver and awakened anxiety through
out the Catholic world lest 1t should
prove a plot of a band of assassins.
Early or the morning of February
% last Ala was awakened by the
musical chimes in st. Elizabeth's
Church. He arose, dressed, and led by
the peals went to the church, not tt
worship, but with murder in his heart
he subsequently said, for the chimes
recalled alleged wrongs in his native
land which he attributed to the church
Entering the church, ALA went
through the usual ceremony of blessing
himself with holy water, and followed
| tho ritual tn tho noinf xrharo o1-1
munion Is given. He then approached
the altar. and, kneeling. waited the ap-
proach of the priest officiating, little
knowing, little caring. who that priest
might be. but with the impulse to slay
growing stronger.
Shoots Priest Mt Communion Rail.
Along the line of communicate.
passed the priest Ala restraining him.
self with difficulty, he afterward said
He came to Ala, and placing the
sacred wafer upon his tongue, al un,
suspecting the murderous design In tn,
strangers heart, began:
Take, eat; this is my body" blu
stopped horror-stricken.
ALA had spat the wafer from hi:
mouth. Almost simultaneously a sho,
rang out and Father Leo dropped. dy.
ing, to the floor. Father Wulstesr
reached Father Leo's side barely II
time to administer the last cram
Ala, with a curse on his lips, brand.
ished the smoking pistol in the air ant
ran down the aisle.
Halt a dozen steps from the door h,
tripped and fell. Policeman DAME
Cronin, who was among the worship
pers, wrenched the gun from his gras,
and carried his prisoner outside. I'm
mediately Ala was surrounded by :
hundred enraged men, clamoring for hi,
life.
Leave the avenging of this awful
) murder to God! Calm yourselves an,
dispense" exhorted Father Bernard
His words saved Ala, then. standin,
beside the policeman and bidding n,
one touch the whimpering slayer. tn
} priest saved him from terrible death
and the policeman took his prisoner u
police headquarters in a carriage.