The Farmville herald. [volume] (Farmville, Va.) 1890-1934, 1908-02-28
SHOT AT THE ALTAR
Father Leo Hsinrichs Slain
by Anarchist Crank.
WASTOy NURDERH DENVER CHURCH
Giuseppe AIlo. Avowed Priest Hn'er
Attending Catholic Mass. Commits O.
Cold FLOODED Sacrilege For
Mere Whfm.

DENVER, Feb q. = Father Leo
IIeinrichs was shot and killed here
ON Sunday by Giuseppe Ado an avow-
ed anarchist and priest hater' while the
priest was administering the sacra-
ment at early mass In ST. Elizabeth's
Roman Catholic cathedral, Eleventh
and Curtis streets.
Kneeling at the altar rail between
two women, Giuseppe pressed the mnz-
zle Of a revolver. against the body OF
tine priest after receiving from him
the consecrated wafer Mld shot the
priest through thetheart- Exclaimins
MY God. my Godi' Father Leo fell
prone I'm front oflthe altar and died.
With an lnarticulate scream the as
sassin sprang into the aisle and, Wav-
ing the smoking pistol about his head
dashed TO the church door For mo-
mcnt the hundred or more persons i'm
the church were dazed. Then a wo-
man shrlckcd and the congregation
became panic stricken. Several wo-
men tainted. and many others became
hvsterical. Several men. including Ia
trolman Daniel Cronln, started in pur-
suit of the murderer. Policeman Gro
min overlook the fleeing italian on the
church steps. Giuseppe attempted TO
shoot the policeman. but was foiied
and overpowered after a desperate
struggle i'm which several men assist
ed the officer
The murderer was hurrsedly remov-
cd 10 the city Jail. AS threats Of sum
mary vengeance were made by men
who quickly gathered in front of the
church. Chief OF Police Michael De
lanev called ont the reserve force OF
patrolmen. who were kept on guard
day and night.
Before the c0mm0tion caused by the
tragedy subsidized the Franciscan broth
ers connected with the church silent
lv brought candles for the dead and
placed them beside the body of their
superior where he lay. BY direction
of Bishop Matz the church was closed
for the day. and the following notice
was posted.
owing TO the frightful tragedy en-
acted i'm this church by an unknown
criminal. the wanton killing of our be-
loved pastor. superior and friend, Fa-
thcr leo. an services VIII be discon-
tinued for the day. Kindly, reader
breathe a silent prayer for the repose
I..fAtsaH friend '
Deputy Coroner Daniel Hayes TOOK
charge Of Fathers Leo's body. which
was removed 10 the city morgue. \
single bullet hole in the white com
mnnion robes Of the priest showed that
the lead had gone straight 10 the heart
The bullets remaining I'm Giuseppe
revolver had sharpened points
Giuseppe was placed in solitary con
fnement. He admitted TO a police
man that the priest whom he had Kill
cd was a stranger to him and in eN
planation Of his crime said
81 lust went over there because
have grudge against all priests li
general They are all against The
workingman. went TO the com
munion rail- because l could get bet
fer shot. did not give d-n Wheihel
he was a German priest or any Other
kind Of a priest They are all in the
same class.
"l left Italy three months ago ah'
went first to Central America and theI
came 10 Denver. am an anarchist
and am proud Of IT, shot him. an'
nv only regret is that couldn't shoo
fine whole bunch Of priests in The
church. | ar a shoemaker, but have
NOT worked since coming to Denver.
Father Leo was born in koeln' Ger
many. Aug. l.. 1867. lie entered The
Franciscan order ON Dec. 4. lsS0' ah'
was ordained on July 26, 1891. h'
came to Denver last September from
Paterson. y. J. lie was for thre
wears I'm Oregon. y. Y. where he dis
tingulshed himself for rebuilding
church. a monastery and other build
inrs that were destroyed by fire ID
1902 lie had been planning 10 sal
for Germany I'm June to visit relative
whom he had not seen for slXieel
s..nra