Waterbury evening Democrat., 1908-03-02

FOr LAST view OF notIdu0s VI TTaH
eisoan Monk Murdered In Denver by
Giuseppe AIio.
Paterson n. j., March 2.-Thousands
of persons, regardless of creed, went
to st. Bonaventure's monastery at
West Paterson to look for the last time
on the face of Father Leo Heinrichs,
the murdered priest, who for twenty
two years was pastor of the church.
Throughout the day the procession was
unbroken. and it was estimated that
no less than 10000 had paid loving
tribute to the memory of the devoted
pastor.
So great was the throng that detail
of fifty policemen was required to
maintain the formation of two lines
that extended for blocks in West FIT,
teenth and West Twenty-seventh
streets, at the intersection Of which
the church stands. Through a sue
cession of snow, sleet and rain storms
outside the throngs stood for hours pa
tiently awaiting their turn.
Killed by Anarchist.
Because of failing health Father Leo
was transferred last September to Den
YER where at the chancel rail of ST.
Elizabeth's church he. was shot and
killed by an avowed anarchist known
as Giuseppe Alio Among his local
parishioners Father Leo was greatly
loved. s'-->
The funeral was held at 1890 o'clock
today. when solemn requiem mass
was rendered by the Rev. Father Ed
ward Blecke, assisted by the forty
monks and lay brothers in st. Bona
ventures monastery. Bishop John j..
O'Connor of the Roman Catholic do
cese of Newark and many other high
church dignitaries were present. In
torment was made at the plot of the
Franciscan monks in Holy Sepulcher
cemetery, on the outskirts Of this
city.
At noon the body was borne into the
church proper from the rectory, where
it had reposed since the arrival here
of the funeral party. The coffin was
placed upon raised catafalque direct
ly in front Of the main altar and was
surrounded by guard Of honor COM
posed of twelve members of St Bona
ventures Catholic Young Mems club.
This duty was taken up by the various
Roman Catholic clubs of the city.
Wears Garb Of Order.
The priest wore the plain brown
garb of his order, the feet being in
closed in sandals, while about the neck
was a purple and gold stole. Visible
above the left eye was the slight scar
left by the wound which the priest
sustained when boy. This is the scar
which led to his assassination, accord
ing to one statement of his slayer. He
claimed to have mistaken Father Leo
for priest who had been active
against the anarchists in Avollo, Sicily,
and who was assaulted with a club
during an Easter demonstration In that
city. This priest succeeded In having
several anarchists banished from Sici-
ly, and he was known to have come
to this country.
The societies connected with the va
rious Roman Catholic churches In this
city came to the church in bodies, all
wearing badges. The united Holy
Name societies of Passaic county at
tended in solid delegation to the
number of several thousand, while the
other organized bodies, exclusive Of the
general public, turned out to the num-
Der of about 5000 men, women and
children.
Besides the guard of honor which
surrounded the catafalque. members
of st. Bonaventure's Catholic Young
Mems club were stationed every few
feet in all the aisles of the church and
kept all who entered moving.
Slain Like Thomas A. Beckett.
The Rev. Father MacCartney com.
pared the assassination of Father Leo
to the killing of Thomas A. Beckett
$50 years ago.
1T is not Of the dead priest that we
would speak" said the priest, but of
the man who took his life. nor yet 50
much of the murderer himself as of
the doctrine that was on his tongue.
He bore no personal enmity against
this priest. had never seen his face be-
fore that Sunday morning when Satan
entered his heart.
by his own confession he slew him
because he was priest and because he
himself was an anarchist. This is the
circumstance that makes this murder
the theme for sermon.
Had this murder been the act Of a
dlsordered brain or the thirst OF re.
venge. the act would have Occasloned
that horror which every God fearing
man should have at violence and blood
shed. But Il was the deliberate ex
preston Of political and social school
We are face TO face with anarchy
Popular anarchy has become a doctrine
Of destruction. IL is a tribute 20 tbs
church that the anarchist has turned
his attention from political rulers e
religious teachers. IL Is a confession
that the power which WHITES and up
holds society IL religion. To deal will
anarchy We must elucate. The wal
10 defeat fcolishness is TO supplant !
with common sense"
Father 9yrnes Passes Away.
/ Now Yn-k. March ? The Rev