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.
Collapsed Completely on Entering the Penitentiary, and Cried and Yelled in a
Pitiful Manner.
ASSASSIN CZOLGOSZ COLLAPSED.
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.