Publication information

Source:
Iowa State Register
Source type: newspaper
Document type: article
Document title: “Broke Down Completely”
Author(s): anonymous
City of publication: Des Moines, Iowa
Date of publication: 28 September 1901
Volume number: 46
Issue number: 229
Pagination: 1

 
Citation
“Broke Down Completely.” Iowa State Register 28 Sept. 1901 v46n229: p. 1.
 
Transcription
full text
 
Keywords
Leon Czolgosz (arrival at Auburn State Prison); Leon Czolgosz (mental health); Leon Czolgosz (public statements); Leon Czolgosz (incarceration: Auburn, NY).
 
Named persons
Samuel Caldwell; Leon Czolgosz; John Gerin; Ida McKinley; William McKinley; George N. Mitchell.
 
Document


Broke Down Completely

 

President McKinley’s Assassin Faces Approaching Death with Abject Terror.
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Collapsed Completely on Entering the Penitentiary, and Cried and Yelled in a Pitiful Manner.
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ASSASSIN CZOLGOSZ COLLAPSED.
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Completely Broke Down on Entering Penitentiary.

     Auburn, N. Y., Sept. 27.—Czolgosz, President McKinley’s murderer, in the custody of Sheriff Caldwell, of Erie county, and twenty deputies, arrived in Auburn at 3:15 a. m. The prison is only about fifty yards from the depot. Awaiting the arrival of the train there was a crowd of about 200 people. Either for fear of the crowd, which was not very demonstrative, or from sight of the prison, Czolgosz’s legs gave out and two deputy sheriffs were compelled to practically carry the man into the prison. Inside the gate his condition became worse, and he was dragged up the stairs and into the main hall. He was placed in a sitting position on the bench, while handcuffs were being removed, but he fell over and moaned and groaned, evincing the most abject terror. As soon as the handcuffs were unlocked the man was dragged into the principal keeper’s office. As in the case of all prisoners the officers immediately proceeded to strip him and put on a new suit of clothes. During this operation Czolgosz cried and yelled, making the prison corridors echo with evidence of his terror. The prison physician, Dr. John Gerin, examined the man and ordered his removal to the cell in the condemned row, which he will occupy until he is taken to the electric chair. The doctor declared that the man was suffering from fright and terror, but said that he was shamming to some extent.
     The collapse of the murderer was a surprise to every one. Enroute [sic] from Buffalo he showed no indication of breaking down. He ate heartily of sandwiches and smoked cigars when not eating. He talked some and expressed regret for his crime. He said: “I am especially sorry for Mrs. McKinley.” He reiterated his former statement that he had had no accomplices and declared that he never had heard of the man under arrest in St. Louis who claimed to have tied the handkerchief over his hand, concealing the pistol with which the president was shot. He says the handkerchief was not tied. He went behind the Temple of Music, arranged the handkerchief so as to hide the weapon and then took his place in the crowd. By Jailer Mitchell he sent this message to his father: “Tell him I am sorry I left such a bad name.”
     Czolgosz was in normal condition this afternoon and seemed to have fully recovered from his collapse. There are five cells for condemned men in the prison, and Czolgosz was placed in the only vacant cell, so all are now occupied. Two keepers are constantly on guard around in the room, which is separated from the main prison, but, to guard against an attempt on Czolgosz’s part to commit suicide, two more guards have been added, and one will constantly sit in front of Czolgosz’s cell, and will have a key, so that any attempt at self-destruction may be easily frustrated.