Assassin’s Father

HE HAS WRITTEN A LETTER TO HIS SON—DENIES
KNOWLEDGE OF A MICHIGAN MURDER.

     A Leader representative last night called at the home of Paul Czolgosz, the father of President McKinley’s murderer, to inquire regarding a story that he was in some way identified twenty-five years ago in the murder case of Henry Molitor, a lumberman at Rogers City, Mich. The report stated that Czolgosz gave evidence for the State, and five men were sent to prison as the result. With the aid of an interpreter a statement was procured from Czolgosz in reference to his knowledge of the occurence [sic]. He said that all he knew of the matter was that when he went to Alpena, Mich., a number of years ago, his brother, Albert Czolgosz had told him that about three years prior to his coming, a man named Molitor had been murdered. Czolgosz denied all other knowledge of the crime. He said that he came to this country about twenty-nine years ago and went direct to Detroit. He lived in Detroit three years, he said, and then went to Alpena. From Alpena he went to work on a farm near Rogers City, and later worked on lumber docks at Rogers City. He said that he had never been arrested.
     During the interview Czolgosz sat on the edge of the bed, a picture of misery and dejection. He volunteered no information and answered a majority of questions by simply “Yes” or “No.” When he did talk, he spoke about his son Leon.
     To the Polish interpreter Czolgosz said: “I expect to go to Buffalo to-morrow or the next day. I would have gone to-night, but the police here told me that they did not think I could see Leon if I did go. I am now waiting for word from Buffalo. I had a druggist write to Leon, but I have not heard from him since we sent the letter.”
     “What did you say in the letter?” the interpreter inquired.
     “I told Leon to tell all he knew about the crime. I told him to tell just how he planned to commit it and to tell the names of those who helped him plan, if there were any others. When I go to Buffalo I will go with my brother Jacob, who lives here in Cleveland. I want to see Leon and tell him to confess everything.”