Publication information

Source:
St. Louis Republic
Source type: newspaper
Document type: article
Document title: “Dr. Frank F. Fry Thinks Czolgosz Is a Paranoiac”
Author(s): anonymous
City of publication: St. Louis, Missouri
Date of publication: 10 September 1901
Volume number: 94
Issue number: 72
Pagination: 4

 
Citation
“Dr. Frank F. Fry Thinks Czolgosz Is a Paranoiac.” St. Louis Republic 10 Sept. 1901 v94n72: p. 4.
 
Transcription
full text
 
Keywords
Frank R. Fry (public statements); Leon Czolgosz (mental health); Leon Czolgosz (physiognomical examination).
 
Named persons
Leon Czolgosz; Frank R. Fry [middle initial wrong below]; William McKinley.
 
Notes
A photograph of Frank R. Fry accompanies the article on the same page.
 
Document


Dr. Frank F. Fry Thinks Czolgosz Is a Paranoiac

 

Says Photographs of President McKinley’s Assailant Show No Signs of Degeneracy.
——
FACE INDICATES INTELLIGENCE.

     Doctor Frank F. Fry of No. 3125 Pine street, one of the best-known neurologists in the city, declared yesterday, upon seeing a photograph of Leon Czolgosz, that there were no striking marks of degeneracy in his face, and that he was certain the anarchist would prove a paranoiac upon further examination.
     “There is nothing degenerate about his head except his ears and a slight narrowness of the forehead,” said the doctor, “although the telegraphic description gives two striking marks of degeneracy. These are the excessive addiction to tobacco and the highly emotional disposition. This latter characteristic, if true, is the strongest mark of a degenerate, as hysteria is a striking sign of degeneracy in many cases. But Czolgosz’s face indicates average intelligence, at least, and were it not for his ears, which are rather badly set and which droop at the lobe, there is nothing to indicate degeneracy.
     “His forehead is high and narrow and has a touch of femininity about it. Effeminacy, in a male, is often a sign of degeneracy, but the effeminate tendency is comparatively slight in Czolgosz. There is no indication of anything out of the normal in his nose, while his chin in the photo you show me is not strikingly weak.
     “There are many cases of degeneracy where there is absolutely nothing in the features to indicate it, just as there are many cases where striking signs of degeneracy are not upheld by the character or disposition of the bearer. It may be that Czolgosz will be found a degenerate from an anatomical standpoint, although there is not much in his features to indicate this.
     “More detailed descriptions are necessary before a positive judgment could be passed in such a case, particularly as the shading in this photo gives two ideas of his profile. In the profile photo the cheek appears hollow, while in the front view the cheek appears heavy and thick.
     “His mouth is normal and the lips are not overly thick or inexpressive. This man may prove on examination to be a degenerate of the worst type, but from an examination of this photograph I would say that he is a paranoiac. His expression conforms to this idea much more than his personal appearance conforms to the signs of degeneracy. I think he will be found to be a paranoiac.”