Publication information

Source:
Iowa State Register
Source type: newspaper
Document type: editorial
Document title: “Did Czolgosz Have Aids?”
Author(s): anonymous
City of publication: Des Moines, Iowa
Date of publication: 22 September 1901
Volume number: 46
Issue number: 224
Pagination: 12

 
Citation
“Did Czolgosz Have Aids?” Iowa State Register 22 Sept. 1901 v46n224: p. 12.
 
Transcription
full text
 
Keywords
James B. Moyer; James B. Moyer (public statements); McKinley assassination (eyewitness accounts: James B. Moyer); McKinley assassination (eyewitnesses); McKinley assassination (conspiracy theories).
 
Named persons
Leon Czolgosz; William McKinley; James B. Moyer.
 
Notes
This article (below) as well as other versions of it appeared in newspapers throughout the country, identifying the eyewitness variously as James B. Mercer, James B. Meyer, and James B. Moyer. Best evidence available suggests the individual in question is James B. Moyer, a traveling salesman (and father of two) from Millersburg, PA, who was employed for several years by J. Richardson & Co., a footwear business located in Elmira, NY.
 
Document


Did Czolgosz Have Aids?

     James B. Moyer, of Elmira, New York, a visitor at the Pan-American Exposition, who was standing within 25 feet of President McKinley when he was shot down by the cur Czolgosz, says he is positive that the assassin had two or perhaps three assistants, and he further states that he believes he would be able to identify at least one of them. Mr. Moyer had his two little boys with him, one of them just a child and the other only half grown, so he feared to take them through the crush in the line passing the president for a handshake, and they stood to one side and in front of the president a few feet and looked on. Those who were in the crowd were taking their turns patiently, Moyer says, but they were all careful that no one broke into the line ahead of them. “Then I noticed three or four men who were pushing forward much more eagerly than the others, and were elbowing their way through. I remember one of them distinctly. He was a man of ordinary appearance and of medium height, but had a thick and dark mustache and fuzzy whiskers. Just after him walked Czolgosz. I could not see his right hand, but I remarked at the time how eager he was to get forward.” There was a great noise in the building and Moyer says the reports of the revolver as the two shots were fired were not particularly noticeable any distance away from the president, but Moyer heard them distinctly, and saw the president stagger. He tried to watch and keep track of the men who had been pushing forward so eagerly with Czolgosz, but the great crowd began pushing and to save his own little boys from danger he had to carry them out. There is little doubt but that Czolgosz had confederates, therefore Moyer’s story seems very reasonable. It is much to be regretted that in our worthless United States secret service we have not men who have as sharp eyes.