The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1908-02-27
A DASTARDLY CRIME
anarchist Killed Priest as He
Administered Sacrament.
SHOOTING CAUSED PANIC
While Women shrieksd and Tainted.
Assassin, Waving Smoking Pistol.
Dashed From Church, 5ut Was Cap
tured On the Steps.

Assassin, Waving Smoking Pistol.
Dashed From Church. But Was Cap
tured on the Steps.
Denver. Colo. Feb. 24.-Father Leo
Heinrichs was shot and killed by Giu-
seppe Guarnaccto. an avowed anar-
chist and priest hater. while the priest
was administering sacrament at early
mass In st. EliEabeth's Roman Catholic
church. kneeling at the altar rail be-
tween two women. Guarnaccto pressed
the muzzle OF a revolver against the
body OF the priest. after receiving from
him the consecrated wafer, and shot
the priest through the heart Exclaim-
ing My God. My God" Father Leo fell
prone in front OF the altar and died.
With an inarticulate scream. the as
Sassin sprang into the aisle and. waiv-
ing the smoking pistol about his head.
dashed 70 the church door For a
moment the hundred or more persons
In the church were dazed. Then a
woman shrieked and the congregation
became panic stricken. Several women
tainted and many others became hys-
terical. Several men. including Patrol
man Daniel Cronin. started in pursuit
OF the murderer. Policeman Croain
overlook the fleeing Italian on the
church steps. Guarnaccto attempted to
shoot the policeman. but was foiled
and overpowered after a desperate
struggle. in which several men assisted
the officer.
The murderer was hurriedly removed
TO 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
laney called out the reserve force OF
patrolmen.
Before the commOtion. caused by the
tragedy. subsidized. the Franciscan
brothers silently brought candles for
the dead and placed them beside the
body OF their superior where be lay.
was closed for the day and the follow
ing notice was posted:
Owing to the frightful tragedy en-
acted In this church by an unknown
criminal. the wanton killing Of our be-
loved pastor. superior and friend.
Father Leo. all services will be dis
continued for the day. Kindly. reader.
breathe a silent prayer for the repose
OF the soul OF our beloved friend.
FATHER EUSEBIUS."
Deputy Coroner Daniel Hayes took
charge OF Father Leo's body. which was
removed TO the city morgue. A single
bullet hole In the white communion
robes Of the priest showed that the
lead had gone straight to the heart
The bullets remaining IN Guarnaccto's
revolver had sharpened points.
Guarnaccto was put In solitary con
nnement lie admitted to a policeman
that the priest whom he had killed was
a stranger 10 him and 10 explanation
OF his crime. said:
Il just went over there because
have a grudge against all priests in
general. They are all against the
working man went to the COM
munion rail because ] could get a better
shot did not give a damn whether
he was a German priest or any other
kind OF a priest They are all In the
same class.
y left Italy three months ago and
went first TO Central America and then
came TO Denver. am an anarchist.
and l am proud Of H. shot him. and
my only regret Is that couldn't shoot
the whole bunch OF priests in the
church | am a shoemaker. but have
not worked since coming to Denver"