The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1921-08-20


Similarity between specimens of
handwriting obtained from Hightower
since his arrest and those contained in
a letter received by Archbishop Ed
ward j. Hanna within a few hours
after Father Heslin's strange disap-
pearance at o'clock the night of
August 2, making a demand for ran
som, are the principal clues to the
prisoners alleged guilt
This, combined with the fact that
large quantity of newspaper clip
pings pertaining to the priests abduc-
ton and notes philosophising on the
Mystery of Death" were found in
HightoWers room after his arrest
clinches their susicions, the authori-
ties say.
Another fact upon which police pin
their suspicious is that in the ransom
letter the writer declared himself ia
miliar with bombing devices and de.
scribed trap so arranged as to ex.
terminate anyone who interfered with
his plans. In Hightower's rooms, &C.
cording to detectives, an Internal ma
chine was found, together with evil
deRce of his familiarity with firearms
and explosives.
Detectives working on the case adj
vance the opinion that Hightower, &C
tuated by desire to insure his claim
for the $4,000 reward offered, went
to the Archbishop for the purpose of
revealing Father Heslin's grave, fear
ing that the fake letter might result
in having others collect the proceeds
OF the plot which he had designed.
Work of Fanatic
Some of the authorities believe the
| crime the work of a fanatic What
motive impelled the grisly deed au-
thorities admit themselves at a loss
to explain. Whether it was the work
of someone whose distorted brain
actuated the crime, or of man with
| fancied grievance, only a confession
| can clear up. Police say that they
| expect a full confession from High
| tower.
The suspected murderer is a man
about 43 years old, tall, slim and
| partially bald. He is apparently of
| retiring nature and describes himself
| as soldier of fortune who has been
''up against it, most of his life. He
| admits being around San Francisco
| and Colma for some time, and also
confesses familiarity with the country
surrounding Salada Beach. By voca-
| ton he is a baker, but says he enter
tains ambitions to become an inventor.
Foreigner in Plot
The last known person to have seen
Father Hesln prior to his death is
Miss Marie Wendell, his housekeeper,
who described the incidents connected
with his leaving the parish residence
in response tola sick call.
| Responding to the door bell shortly
before nine o'clock Miss Wendell was
confronted by a man with a dark
suit, and overcoat, wearing goggles,
smooth-shaven and apparently about
twenty-six years old.
us the Fathet in?"' he asked.
YES" replied Miss Wendell "but he
has gone upstairs. Will you come
again in the morning.
I'm in a hurry the man replied,
4 81 want the Fatler"
Father Heslin came downstairs and
!, Miss Wendell head him remark: San
Pedro Road"
'Is it sick cill?" she asked the
, priest.
eyes," replied Father Heslin, "but
: l don't think l en- find the place"
: 'I'll wait and tale you to the man."
: said the stranger.
: Miss Wendell JUDGED by his accent
! that the visitor wa, foreigner. At
ter Father Heslin lad gone into the
church to secure tie Blessed Sacra-
ment, Miss Wendell Jaw the stranger
) walking up and down the sidewalk,
where stood Ford car with top
on. The priest sooi returned and
stepped into the car which leaped
from the curb.
, This was the last een of Father
: Heslin until his body vas discovered.
Aimed at Any Priest
Circumstantial evidence indicates
, that it was not particularly at Father
Heslin that the kidna,pers aimed
l their foul plot. Any prizes, of the arch
; diocese would have servd their pur-
pose as well.
: This is apparent from tie fact that
7, on the Thursday previousto the kid
mapping, Archbishop Hama received
at his office, HOO franklin Street, an
unkempt man who asked tlat a priest
e be sent with him Immediately to Col
i ma, where he declared he nd dying
4 friend
I'll He was directed to Fathr Heslin,
e the pastor of the Colma paish
e.; 1t is apparent that the Adnappers
. waited several days, perhapsdebating
/, their plans, or waiting for favorable
e night, before resolving to put the pro-
e ject into execution.
The letter which Archbishp Hanna
S received was neatly typewriter, with
s a blank space after the wo,ds: II
a have Father" This was filletln with
: the words "bf Colma," indicating that
Y provision had been made to inert the
name or town of any priest win might
l. fall into the trap.
IL Father Heslin had been attached
[ to the Colma parish only a week be-
l. fore he answered the call tht led
s him to his death. He had previously
d been pastor of the Catholic Chtnh at
| Turlock Cal and scOres of his f.rmnr