Jasper County Democrat, Volume 10, Number 48, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 29 February 1908 — MURDER AT AN ALTAR [ARTICLE]

MURDER AT AN ALTAR

Roman Catholic Priest Assassin* ated as He Is Administering the Holy Eucharist. ' rHIB SLAYER IS AH ITALIAN Commits His Foul Crime While Kneel ing at the Chancel Rail. Had Just Received the Wafer- Shot Hta Victim Through the Heart —Aasaaaln Baja He Made Mistake.

Father Leo Heinrichs was shot and killed while administering the ■aorament at early mass la St Elizabeth’s Roman O&tholic ohorch, at Denver Sunday. Kneeling at the altar rail between two women Giuseppe Uuarancclo pressed the uiuzsle of a revolver against the body of the priest after receiving from him the consecrated wafer, and shot the priest through the heart. Exclaiming “My God, My God,” Father Leo fell prone in front of the altar and died without uttering another word. Panto Follows the Crime. With an inarticulate scream the assassin sprang into the aisle, and waving the smoking pistol about his bead, dashed to the church door. For a moment the hundred or more people in the church -yeere dazed. Then a woman shrieked and the congregation bo came panic-stricken. Some women fainted, 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 Daniel Cronin, who overtook the fleeing Italian on the steps. Guamacclo attemptd to shoot the policeman, and was foiled and overpowered only after a desperate fight In which several men went To The assistance of the officer.

Threats of Lynching Are Heard. The murderer was hurriedly removed to the city jail, and as threats of summary Justice were made by men lo the crowd which quickly gathered in front of the church Chief of Police Michael Delaney called ont the reserve force of patrolmen, which was kept on guard day and night Before the commotion caused by the tragedy had subsided the Franciscan brothers connected with St Elizabeth’s church silently brought candles for the dead and placed them beside the body of their superior, where he lay. By direction of Bishop Matz the church door was closed for the day. Father Leo was born in Koeln, Germany, Aug. 15, 1867.

Murder Charge Filed. An information charging Gluseppo Alio, alias Angelo Gabriele and Gulseppe Guaranaedo, -with the murder of Father Francis Leo Heinrich* was filed In court Wednesday, by District Attorney George A. Stldger. This action is taken to Indicate that the authorities hare secured from the prisoner all the information concerning the crime and his connections whioh they deem necessary or expect him to divulge. Says He Made a Mistake.

In his confession to a representative of the Denver police department Alio said that he mistook Father Leo for an Italian priest who had taken an active part in fighting revolutionists in Avola, Sicily, and whom they determined to kill after they had been compelled to flee to Argentine, a Alio said he did not know the name of this priest, but that he was an assistant to Father Mlobalifl in Avola and In a street fight on Easter Sunday, 1895. was struck with a club. Alio said he thought he identified Father Leo as the priest by a scar on bis forehead, resulting from his injury. Father Heinrich, the victim of the assassin Alio, was buried at Denver with all the ceremonial of the Roman Catholic church.