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.”