The Abilene Reporter (Abilene, Tex.), Vol. 29, No. 29, Ed. 1 Friday, July 24, 1908 Page: 4 of 12
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fine Hundred Million
W.r -r
i : DOLLARS
Is a large sum of money but it is smaller than the to-
tal amount of business handled by this bank during the
ten years prior to July 1st 1908.
If experience is worth anything when you do your
banking business with us you get the benefit of the
knowledge we have gained in handling this large vol-
ume of business and that gained by us during eighteen
years of satisf aetory service rendered oar customers.
Farmers & Merchants
National Bank
OF ABILENE
GUISSEPE ALIO
EXPIATES GRIME
SLAYER OF FATHER LEO DIES ON
GALLOWS.
DEATH SCENE REMARKABLE
Prisoner Quits tills Xlfc Chlllng Down
Jlnlcdlctloiis on Tho Roman
Catholic Church
By Associated Press.
CANYON CITY COLO. July 15.
Calling down maledictions" upon the
Roman Catholic priesthood and shout-
ing In Italian "Long live Italy long
live the Protestants" Giuseppe Alia
slayer of Father Leo Helnrlchs was
carried to the death trap and exactly
at 8:30 o'clock tonight paid the ex-
treme penalty for his crime.
Pehaps a more sensational and thrill
ing scene was never beheld fry any of
tho sixteen persons present than tho
execution of this Italian whoso cries
and screams were only hushed by tho
automatic springing of the mechanism
which forever silenced tho tongue that
cried for vengeanco against those
whom Alia had considered tho des-
troyers of his homo and happiness.
At 4 o'clock this afternoon Warden
Gleghorn of tho State penitentiary
through an Interpreter Antonio Sasso
a prison guard read' the death warrant
to Alia. Contrary to expectations tho
prisoner exhibited no emotion and
when the ending was finished said
"All right. I am ready to dio now."
Divides Supper Into Portions.
At C o'clock supper was served to
the prisoner. Before eating It he di-
vided it Into flvo portions saying that
one was for his wife one for himself
and one for each of his three children.
He then ate with apparent composure
and relish.
At 7 o'clock Guard Sasso came to
NOTICE
Having sold my Warehouse on Mes-
quite and North Second Streets to
Geo. W. Kepler T have movecf my
feed business to the house just east
of the Citizens National Bank on N.
1st street and will be glad to see any
of my old friends and customers and
make them some attractive prices on
all feed stuff. . . . . .
EH XI IPMTD . &" 332
m JFm I Mnlldni SW. PAon 297
him with the Information that within
an hour the execution would take
place. Alia again said he was ready
at any time. Ho further said ho felt
no sorrow whatever for having killed
Father Leo. Ho was certain that
Father Leo Was the man ho had been
searching for during many months
and claimed that ho had recognized tho
priest by a scar on tho side of his face.
Alia said ho had worked for Father
Leo in Portugal and was sure that he
had killed the right man. Alia said he
did npt believe there was a God for
If so. he would not have been permit-
ted to bo in his present predicament
He said he found no fault with the law
but that the priest did wrong in break-
ing up his family.
At 8:30 o'clock everything being in
readiness the warden's assistants ap
proached Alla's cell and led tho con-
demned man to the execution house
where the black cap and noose were
adjusted by the deputy warden.
During this procedure Alia became
frantic and shouted "Long live Italy!
Long live the Protestants!" Alia was
placed upon the trap Chaplain Blake
of the prison uttered a short prayer
the dripping water of the automatic
mechanism released the great weight
nnd at exactly 8; 30 the body was jerk-
ed into tho air.
Unfortunately Alla's neck was not
broken because of the slipping of the
rope and he died of strangulation. Af-
ter nineteen minutes Alla's body was
cut down and he was pronounced
dead.
Guiseppe Alla's crime tho murder
of Father Leo Hejnrichs of the Order
of Franciscan monks at the niter rail
in St. Elizabeth's church In Denver
while tho priest was administering
the sacrament of tho Eucharist struck
horror to tho heart of every person In
Denver and awakened anxiety through
out tho Catholic world lest it should
provo tho beginning of a general plan
of priest-murder.
Alia had been In Denver several
weeks unemployed and apaprently
penniless. Early on tho morning of
Sunday February 23 according to his
story ho was aroused from sleep by
tho ringing of tho chimes In St. Eliza-
beth's church. ""He arose dressed hlm-
Helf hurriedly and walked out to the
church). led by tho musical toncso peril-
ing forth a call to worship. But ho
wont not witli tho thought of thanks
giving In mind for ho declared- any
many times repeated after hl8arrcflt
Uiat tho chimes recalled alleged
wrongs experienced inhls natlvo Italy
and attributed by him to tho cliurch.
Entering tho church Alia wont
through tho usual ceremony of bless-
ing himself with holy water and then
soated himself where his view of tho
alter would bo unobstructed. Thero
he followed tho ritual up to tho point
whoro communion Is given to all who
ard prepared. Alia approached tho
alter and kneeling awaited tho arrival
of tho priest officiating nt tho commu-
nion not knowing Alia has said or
caring who it should be.
A number of other communicants
hnd assumed tho Bamo posturo and
positions at tho communion rail were
practically all taken. When Father
Leo beloved by all who know him
both In and outsldd tho church ap-
peared with tho consecrated wafers
all at the rail seemed Impressed with
the solemnity nnd sacredness of tho
service and Inspired with thoughts of
GOd. Alia howevor nccordlng to his
own statment could barely restrain a
deslro to Bprlng nt tho throat of the
priest despite the place tho sceno and
and tho peculiarly socr'ed character
of the action In progress.
Along tho lino passed the priest'
placing upon the tongtio of each suc-
cessive communlcnnt tho consecrated
wafer and repeating the lines of the
mass declaring the Eucharist thus ad-
ministered is tho Savior himself in
person. Alia was now tho next In
line. Father Leo placing tho wafer
upon the tongue of tho stranger all'
unsuspecting of the murderous design
In Alla's heart began: "Take eat;
this Is my body" but stopped horror
stricken. Tho subject Of th'e prayer
had spat the blessed morsel from his
mouth. Almost slmultanenously with
this desecration a shot rang out and
Father Leo sank to the floor mortally
wounded. A bullet from a revolver
fired by Alia had penetrated the
priest's body near the heart. Father
Wulstan Workman hearing the shot
rushed from tho adjoining sacristy
just In time to administer to Father
Leo the last sacrament Father Leo ex-
piring a moment later In tho arms of
his brother-priest. Immediately after
firing the shot with' a curse darted
toward the main aisle of the church
and rushed for tho door. With hair
disheveled and smoking gun flourish
ing over his head ho made his way to
within ten feet of tha portal where he
tripped and fell. Policeman Daniel
Cronin who was among the worship-
pers wrenched the gun from AJIais
hand and dragged him 'to the street
In an effort to protect him from the
maddened worshippers Outside the
policeman and his charge were sur-
rounded by several hundred persons
who were about to tear Alia from the
officer's hands when several priests
and Franciscan brothers appeared on
the steps and pleaded with tho enragod
people to leave tho avenging of tho
awful murder to God. The persence
of the eccleslastlco Interceding for ttio
life of the destroyer of a beloved
brother had effect. The single police
man was permitted to take Alia away
In a buggy hastily driven to police
headquarters. Several hours later Alia
Was spirited out of town In an auto-
mobile and taken to Colorado Springs
for safekeeping.
The trial was comparatively brief
but every opportunity of defense was
given. Insanity was offered as a plea
to escape the nooso. The best alien-
ists In Denver testified that Alia was
sane and he was sontenced to be hang-
ed. A petition from citizens In Alla's
native town In Italy pleading for his
llfo nnd declaring that ho was un-
doubtedly InBano was forwarded to
tho Italian consul hero but for some
reason unexplained was never pre-
sented to tho Governor. Many believe
thnt tho murder of Father Leo was
part of an anarchistic plot against tho
Catholic clorgy but nothing has re-
cently transpired tending to substanti-
ate this -view. Previous to coming to
Denver Fathor Loo lived at Paterson
N. J. Paterson is the hendquartqrB of
tho Franciscan monks In this country
and It has been thought posslblo that
ho Incurred tho enmity of somo one or
perhaps a group of anarchists thero
personal In its nature and applying
only to him. Ills groat popularity and
goodness of heart went strongly to
dlsprovo this theory nnd no evidence
to support It has come to light. Wheth--
oi' or not Alia brooded over fancied
wrongs until his mind became dis-
eased It Is admitted that ror yonrs
he had ontortalned a hatred for tho
priesthood and on this Sunday morn-
ing when tho chimes sounded from
the church ho had apparently lost all
power of control for good but tho cun-
ning of ovlj remained. Tho result was
murder which has no parallel In his-
tory. RESOLUTIONS AND PROCEEDINGS
OF C- W. T. A. OF C. C AT STANTON
STANTON TEXAS July JC The
fourteenth monthly jneetlug of tha
Central West Texas Association Of
Commercial Clubs convened in thee
city of Stnuton oa Tuesday with del
egate in attendance from points on the
T. and P from Odessa oh tho west to
Abilene on tho cast and from as far
north on tho Wichita Valley and Obl-
leno rind Nortliorn as Mundny and In-
cluding tho towns pit tho railroad of
Farden City and Shatter Lako.
Tho meeting wns presided over by
Judgo J. P. Copoland nud Judgo L.
M. Buto jointly tho former being a
loading citizen of Stanton and tho (al-
ter mayor of Stamford and President
of tho Association"
The city of Stanton known as tho
"Gateway to tho Southern Plains
Country" presented a very lively ap-
pearance aa In addition to entertaining
tho delegates to tho Commercial Club
meeting a two-days barbecue was
pulled off; and to say that tho good
people of Stanton gavo their visitors
a cordial welcome and hearty hand-
shako on ovorypart of tho ground is
putting tho proposition mildly. Freo
rides and free drives freo dinners and
everything for the entertainment the
pleasure and comfort right at your
hand every way you turned stamped
nt once the Stanton people as being
among our most progressive nnd wide
awake of any part of our glorious
Central West Texas.
Stantpn Is not behind In showing
what can bo grown In tho way of agri-
cultural products elthor as at several
different places Including tho barbe-
cue ground as well as tho hall where
the convention was held was shown a
fine display of products including al-
most perfect specimens of Yellow Skin
nud White Bermuda Onions White and
Red Kaffir Corn and different kinds
of carte Including porghum broom
corn German millet alfalfa water-
melons and grapes.
The proposition of advertising to
make a tour of the north and east was
unanimously endorsed by the Associa
tion of Commercial Clubs and a special
committee appointed to secure the ad
ditional finance required.
The next meeting goes to Munday
Knox county and will be held on Tues
day August 18.
An Interesting program arranged for
the occasion was carried out with a
few slight changes.
The following resolutions were unan-
imously adopted by the Association:
Resolutions
Congratulating the Central West Tex-
as country upon tho forward march
of progress and development along
agricultural horticultural and stock
farming lines so much In evidence we
point with pride and congratulation
to the concerted efforts of our patri-
otic broad gauged farmers stock men
business and professional men of this
section who by their unselfish actions
have contributed so much to the suc-
cess? shown. Wo call attention to the
fact that the record of production in
the Central West Texas country won-
derful as It is Is shown with less than
one-tenUi of (Its tillable land sub-
jected to cultivation and we cordially
Invite tho idustrlous home seeker and
legitimate Investor of every land and
clime to come and share with us tno
benefits already attained and profit by
the marvelous development in store
for this section of the Lone Star Do-
main in the future.
Wo also congratualto the organiza
tion on -the fact that our slogan of
"fewer laws and better laws has
ceased to be considered by any who
are Informed as an attack upon the
splendid administration of Governor
Campbell or a slap at the thirtieth
legislature and thnt now ve feel that
we havo tho assurance that needed
modification of certain laws will no
doubt be granted by the thirty-first
legislature.
Wo renew our recommendation for
Increased appropriation for agricul-
tural departments of Texas to the
end that each section of our state
may bo provided with Instructions
whose principal aim Is to foster rnd
build up the agricultural interests of
Texa3.
Wo heartily endorse what Is com-
monly known as tho educational
amondment to bo submitted to tho
voters In tho general election this
year to tho end that the children in
rural districts may havo the samo ad-
vantages in public schools as those
living in more densely poulated sect-
ions Wp also heartily endorse tho move-
ment for tho additional state nor-
mal school to tho end that our young
men and young ladles who deslro to
follow the profession of teaching may
bo ablo to equip themselves for this
important work without undergoing
any unnecessary expense In tho way or
travel etc.
To tho end that every erroneous
Idea that has existed In tho minds of
everyone with regard to the correct
position of th(s Asoctatlon with regard
to legislation wa here and now spo-
clfllcally ondorso the lows enacted by
the thirtieth legislature as sound in
principle but call attention to tho
fact thnt spmo features of somo of the
laws have been found by observation
and experlenco to bo too drastic. In
tholr oporatlon and 'wo therefore ask
for their modification
Wo believe that the antl-pasa law
should bo so nmonded as to restore
contractual rights to newspapers;
pnvuege grameu io uia ruuruuus u
tnnam ma.. (untlanniiinttMI t e nfttlltll '
JDflUU VU LiaUlW IHI4UH v Mbuat
Motz &
Representingthe strongest Com-
panies respectfully solicit your
Insurance Business
Office Over Citizens National Bank
farmers in attendnnco upon the state
mdetlng of tho Farmers Congress and
State Hortlculturallsts bona fide Im-
migration agents regularly employed
In bringing new peoplo Into tho state
and the samo courtesies extended tho
members of charltablo Protestant In-
stitutions as those of Catholic insti-
tutions. We thank the press both local and
state at large for their continued co-
operatlogjn J.e.nwtj;erlqf full reports
of our iuWjngs.anu.thcw.ork they are
doing to aid Texas development; the
railroads for courtesies of excursion
rates to our different meetings; to the
people of Stanton for the splendid en-
tertainment furnished 'us during our
fourteenth monthly convention and to
everyone who has contributed In any
way to the success of our work.
We endorse the principle Of Insur-
ance or guarantee of bank deposits
both state and natlonai as a practical
means to foster and encourage con-
fidence In all financial institutions.
The following commltteo was ap-
pointed to map out a plan by which
the required funds could bo raised to
take care of the expense of the adver-
tising car: B. Reagan Big Springs
chairman; Prof. J. S. Long Stanton;
R. M. Webb Colorado; W. G. Sherro 1
Munday; Homer D. Wade Stamford:
O. P. Thomas Abilene; R. G Ragland)
Sweetwater; J. F. Turner Shatter
Lake; S. J. Isaacs Midland; J. VV.
Miller Seminole; T. E. Matthews Has-
kell. A meeting of the members of this
commltteo was had just after the ad
journment and several juoscnptlon
lists were divided out among those
present with the understanding that
each one present was to tako the mat-
ter up at oncd when they got haul: to
their several counties and it ablo to
secure their pro rata of tho subscrip-
tion necessary to report to the secre
tary of the Association at Abilene and
he to call a meeting of the- whole com-
mittee at an early date to complex all
details pertaining to tho proposition
Any member of tho committee unable
to attend this meeting to be allowed tc
send someone In IiIb place to represent
his town or county.
Altogether this meeting was a very
enjoyable and profitable one and tho
work Inaugurated at this 2sslon it
pushed to a successful conclusion
should be worth millions of dollars to
the section represented by this Associ-
ation if they wish to take advantage
of securing space In tho advertising
car to be sent east as wo have no time
to lose If we get this car started by
the 1st to 10th. of Septomber which. It
Is believed would bo about tho most
feasible date.
Any county not represented In tho
special commltteo appointed which de-
sires to take advantage of tho propo-
sition to havo their county represent-
ed in tho advertising car should at
iWTwTaX Your account Invited Jy
Curtis
onco address the chairman of the com-
mittee B. Reagan Big Springs or
the secretary O. P. Thomas Abilene.
Bear In mind that the next meeting
of the Association will be on Tuesday
August 18 In the city of Munday In
Knox county Texas; that special low
rates will be on for tho occasion and
that the good people of Munday are
preparing an elaborate entertainment
for all who come.
L. M. BUIB President.
O. P. THOMAS Secretary.
Platform Dance.
One of the most beautiful dances In
many seasons was given Wednesday
evening by Mr. and Mrs. J. M. Rad-
ford in honor of their son Mr. Omar
Radford at their handsomo homo on
North Second street
An Immense platform had been erec-
ted especially for tho occasion and
the lawn presented a most beautiful
and plcturesquo appearance with Its
dozens of Jnpaneso lanterns used In
decoration. These lanterns were ligh-
ted with electricity producing a bril-
liant effect while at the samo time one
of fairyland almost like the ."Never
Never Nod Land" in Peter Pan.
Dainty programmes were distribu-
ted and sweet orchestra music was
furnished for ten dances and four ex-
tras. For refreshments between the
merry rounds a punch bowl gave lib
erally of its contents placed on 'a
nrettv tahle in nnn corner .if t.hn'liRSft"
seldom nas a more beautiful and davS. . i
lightful dance been given In Abilene"?? i J OS
ana an or me guesis were proiuse in
their protestations of enjoyment.
Among those noticed present were
Misses Nannie Louise Brown Bee
Hollls Ethel Kauffman Dimple McLe-
more Lillian Lipscomb Ruth Brad-
field Wordna Moon M. C. Hardwlcke
Louise Matkln.'Jano Woodruff Helen
Lipscomb Lizzie Logan Gladys Wea-
ver Judith Red Macie Hill Ollie Cock-
rel) Julia Cook Bertie Blaln Besslo
Hughes Mabel Wiley Lucy Sear
Louise Batjer Nell Brlllhart Jewel
Lybrand Virginia Guitar Catharine
Guitar Hanle Hardle Hazel Harper
Hannah Bell Harper. Messrs. Perry
Sayles Paul Jones Bob Epperson
Loyd Thomas Max Bentloy Seth Sayl-
es) Ted Sayles D. G. Hill T. O. Stif-
fens Jesse Scarborough Molalr Scar-
borough Deter Hardwlcke Elby Lath-
rup Campbell Kean Robert Kean
Louis" Wise Harper Moon Curtis
Weaver Chunk Scarborough Roy Cur-
tis Henry Hill George Bass Hill Lon-
nle Hollls Manly Hanks Julian Clark
Jones Charlie Hall Frank Stephen-
son Lester Gossuch.
Mrs. J L. Massengale and children
who hnve been visiting Mrs. W. L.
Harkrldor of Merkel returned last
night Miss Nellie Harkrldor came
back with them to spend a few weeks
In Abllone.
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The Abilene Reporter (Abilene, Tex.), Vol. 29, No. 29, Ed. 1 Friday, July 24, 1908, newspaper, July 24, 1908; Abilene, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth314504/m1/4/?rotate=270: accessed July 18, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Abilene Public Library.