Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1908-02-24
PRIEST SHOT DOWN
Partaker OF Holy Communion
Commits Oastardly Murder
in Denver Church.
PROVES ITALIAN ANARCHIST
Captured and Imprisoned, He Glories
in Deed-Mob Prevented from
Lynching Him.

Denver, Feb. 24-With the consecra-
ted wafer at his lips, an anarchist
who was receiving the holy commun-
ion from his victim-shot and killed
Father Leo Heinrichs, superior of the
| local branch of the Franciscans, early
yesterday at st. Elizabeth's Roman
Catholic church, Eleventh and Curtis
streets.
The assassin, whose name is Guar
maccio Guiseppa, an Italian, was knee-
! ing at the altar rail when he fired.
The bullet went through the priests
heart. AS the report of the pistol re-
sounded through the church there was
utter silence for a moment. In the
ipause Father Heinrich's voice rang out
in his last words on earth.
My God! My God!" he cried in a
loud voice. ITO Thee | commend my
soul"
Falls Dead on Altar Rail.
| Father Heinrichs then fell forward
in a crumpled heap, tumbling between
1.-TWO women who were kneeling to the
right of the murderer, who also had
just received the sacrament. The
service was early mass and the hour
of the tragedy about 6 o'clock.
The instant that Father Heinrichs
fell, the congregation awoke from its
stupor, the tragedy having occurred
SO quickly that it utterly dazed the on
lockers.
Shrek upon shrek from the women
succeeded and scene of the wildes;
tumult followed. The two women who
were closest to the victim, and the
ldress of one of whom was bespattered
with the priests blood, tainted, falling
against the altar rail. Several other
women also tainted, while a score Oi
sassin.
Reaches Church Door.
Guiseppa, however, with a smother
ed Italian cruise, and waving the re
volver above his head, dashed toward
the -cffurc hr rcfoeFs down the middle aisle
He was pursued by the men, among
whom was Patrolman Daniel Cronin
Cronin overlook the Italian on tht
front steps of the church. The assaS
sin here turned on the patrolman an(
pointed the revolver at him. Cronir
sprang on the assassin before the lat
ter had time to pull the trigger. Afte
hand-to-hand fight Cronin wrenchet
the revolver from the murderer's grasp
Other men then aided him and tn
9 Italian was completely overpowered
Immediately being taken to the cit.
Jail.
Threaten 10 Lynch.
Threats of lynching were voiced b.
g the thrOng, which gathered in front o
t the church. Chief of Pole Michae
2 Delaney thereupOn called out the rt
S serve force of the police and a stron
: guard was thrown around the jail.
= Guiseppa was placed in solitary cor
/ finement at the Jail. He was suIle
Il and rebellious. He declared that Fatl
e er Heinrichs was a stranger to hin
II but that he hated all priests.
o Murderer Makes Statement.
II The murderer later made this stat,
+ ment in explanation of his crime.
81 just went over there because
have grudge against all priests
II general. They are all against the worl
n ingman. | went TO the communion ra
e because | could get a better shot.
s. did not give a d--n whether he We
d, a German priest or any other kind
II priest. They are all in the san
class.
81 left Italy three months ago; wei
first to Central America and then can
TO the United States and to Denve
n am an anarchist, and | am proud
v it. L shot him, and my only regret
that | couldn't have shot the who
Il, bunch of priests in the church. l a
shoemaker. but have not work'
since coming to Denver
Determine Identity.
Denver Col, Feb. 24.-After an e
- animation of letters found in the roo
~ which the slayer of Father Leo hi
= occupied in this city, police officia
concluded today he was Ange
% Gabriels, Sicilian anarchist.
n, ,1 SMALL IOWA BANK GOE