The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-02-24
Father Leo Heinrihs Slain by
Anarchist in Denver.
Murderer Kueeling at Rail- Ac-
cepting Sacrament.
ASSASSIN WAS BOLD,
Pressed Revolver Against
Priests Side and Fired.
Assailant, a Sicilian Named
Guarnaccio, Captured.

Denver, Colo, Feb. 24-In the
twenty centuries of history of the
Catholic church, members Of its
priesthood in this city declare there
Is no record Of tragedy to parallel
that Of the killing of Father Leo
while administering the sacrament to
Eliza beth's church yesterday morn
Giuseppe Guarnaccio at the altar Of ST.
ing. Never has a servant of the
church been summoned from the
performance of his duties in so
tragic and dramatic a manner
This crime will stand out as one
of the most fearful in the criminal
records Of the world and it's perpetra-
ton probably will result in the elevat-
ing of Father Leo to the position of
martyr and lead to his canonization
as one of the saints of the church in
whose service he fell while perform
ing his duty.
Father Eusebius. senior assistant
pastor of ST. Elizabeths church re-
ceived telegram last night from the
father provincial in Paterson, N. j.,
instructing him to forward the body
of Father Leo to that city for inter
ment. Father Eusebius will accom-
pany the body.
Funeral services VIII be held at
ST. Elizabeth's church will deliver the
Wednesday morning, when solemn
requiem high mass will be celebrated,
probably by Father Eusebfus.
Father William Organ, pastor of
ST. Leo's church will deliver the
eulogy and a sermon against anarchy.
The funeral services will be attended
by 500 members Of the knights of
Columbus and the entire body of the
Knights of St. John and other Cath
olic orders
1t Is custom of the Franciscan or
der that no eulogies be preached for
its deceased members. but on account
of the tragic circumstances and the
general effect sn this case OF the as
sassination upon the priest this rule
will be set aside.
Assassin Has No Regret.
Giuseppe Guarnaccio the murderer
talked freely in Jail concerning his
fendish act for which he declared he
had no regret. He said he was ma
tive of Sicily, Sc years old. He be-
came an anarchist at s5 years of age.
He is a shoemaker by trade He
came to America two years ago and
has since been teaching anarchy,
working but little at his trade He
lived before coming to Denver in
Paterson. N. J., in mill towns of
and in Chicago. He
came to Denver two weeks before
The statements of
Guarnaccio that he was an anarchist
is borne out by letters and pamphlets
taken from him. Among his effects
was a printed list of the murderers of
the world rulers, from the assassina-
ton Of Gar Paul of Russia In 1901,
down to the recent killing of the king
of Portugal, a few weeks ago. He
also had many pages of anarchistic
literature, in his own handwriting
and on printed slips.
of a
Denver Feb. 2EFather LeoHeinrichs
was shot when administering the sac
ran,ent at early mass in ST. Elizabeth's
Catholic church, Eleventh and Curtis
streets, this city, at o'clock Sunday
morning Kneeling at the altar rail,
between two women, Giuseppe Guarnac-
clio pressed the muzzle of a revolver
against the body Of the priest, after re-
ceiying from him the consecrated wafer
and shot the man of God through the
heart.
Exc1aiming, my God, my God.''
Father Leo fell prone in front of the
altar and died without uttering another
word.
With an inarticulate scream Of tri-
umph, which the communicates describ- |
ed as the yell OF a demon, the assassin
sprang into the aisle and. waving the
gun about his head, dashed to
the church door. For moment, the |
were dazed. Then a woman shrieked, |
and the congregation became panic |
stricken. Some women tainted and |
many became hysterfcal. Several men
rushed to the aid of the priest and 9TH |
ers started in pursuit of the murderer !!
Among the latter was Patrolman Dan |
lei Cronin, who overlook the fleeing |
italian On the church steps. Guarnaccio |
a attempted to shoot the policeman and |
was foiled and overpowered only after /
q desperate fight, in which several men |
had come to the assistance Of the Off |
GER.
Guarnaccio was placed in solitary |
at the city Jail. He admit
ted to policeman who interviewed him /
hat the priest whom he had killed was
4 stranger to him, and in explanation of |
mis- crime, made the following state
nent:
II Just went over there because I
nave a grudge against all priests in
general They are all against the work
ngman. I went to the communion rail
because could get a better shot. did
lot give a d--n whether he was Ger
nan priest or any other kind Of a priest.
They are all in the same class
Assassin's Letters Found.
Denver, Colo, Feb. 24.-After
examination of letters round In the
.oom which the slayer Of Father Leo
lad occupied In this city, the police
officials concluded today that he was
Angelo Gabrielle, a SicifIan anarchist
Not Known There.
Wakefield, Mass, Feb. 24.-Guar-
laccio, the name given by the man
Who shot Father Leo Heinrichs at the
in st. Elizabeth's cathe-
iral, Denver, yesterday is probably
assumed as no trace can be found or
/ person of that name ever having
ived here. Guizppe Guarnaccio, who
ives at No Brook avenue, in this
.ity holds an important position In the
= B. Evans Shoe factory here. He
vas seen here today and disclaimed
my knowledge Of person of his