Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1908-03-04
KILLS PRIEST
IN SANCTUARY
ITALIAN ANARCHIST FIRES
DEADLY SHOT AT
COMMUNION.
ENEMY OF THE CHURCH COM
MITs CRIME IN NAME OF
WORKING MEN.

Denver, Colo. Feb. 24.-Father Lee
Heinrichs was shot and killed whea
administering the sacrament at mass
in st. Elizabeths cathedral at
o'clock Sunday morning. KneeIiDs
at the altar rail between two women,
Alto Giuseppe pressed the muzEle OF
a revolver against the body OF the
priest, after receiving from hin the
eonsecrated wafer, and shot the
priest through the heart. Exelaim-
ing My God, my God" Father Leo fell
in front of the altar, and died without
uttering another word.
Futile Effort to Escape.
With an inarticulate scream the
assassin sprang into the aisle and
waving the smoking pistol about his
head, dashed to the church door. For
a moment the hundred or more people
in the church were dazed. Then a
woman shrieked, and the congrega-
ton became panic stricken. Some
women tainted, and many became
hysterical. Several men rushed to,
the aid of the priest, and others
started in pursuit of the murderer.
Among the latter was Patrolman Dan
iel Cronin, who overlook the aeeing
Italian on the steps Giuseppe at
tempted to shoot the police man, but
was foiled and overpowered after a
desperate fight in which several men
came to the assistance of the officer.
The murderer was hurriedly removed
to the city jail, and as threats of sum-
mary justice were made, Chief Of Pc
lice Michael Delaney called out the
reserve force Of parolmen,
Church Closed for Day.
Before the commotion caused by the
tragedy had subsidized, the franciscan
brothers connected with st. Eliza
beths church silently brought candles
for the dead, and placed them beside
the body of their superior BY direc-
ton of Bishop Matz the church was
closed for the day. and the following
notice was posted:
Owing to the frightful tragedy en-
acted in this church by an unknown
criminal, the wanton killing of our
beloved pastor, superior and friend,
Father Leo, all services will be dis
continued for the day Kindly reader,
breathe silent prayer for the repose
of the soul of our beloved friend"
Deputy Coroner Daniel Hayes took
charge of Father Leos body, which
was removed to the city morgue A
single hole in, the white communion
robes of the priest showed thas the
bullet had gone straight to the heart
The bullets remaining in the re-
volver had sharpened points.
Hated Priests in General.
Giuseppe . was placed in solitary
confinement at the city Jail. He ad-
mitted to a policeman who inter
viewed him that the priest whom he
had killed was stranger to him. and
in explanation of his crime made the
following statement:
i just went over there because
have a grudge against priests in gen.
eral They are all against the work
ingman. / went to the communion
rail because 1 could get better shot.
] did not give -- whether he was
German priest or any other kind.
They are all in the sane class. l LETT
Italy three months ago: went first to
central America and then came to
the United States and to Denver.
am an anarchist and am proud of it.
| shot him, and my only regret is that
could not have shot the whole bunch
of priests in the church. l am shoe
maker, but have not worked since
coming to Denver"