“No time was lost in turning on the current, and the manifestation that it was doing the appointed work was in the sudden, intense rigidity of the muscles of the man in the chair. His form seemed to be animated with a demoniac energy, as if his limbs and body were instantly converted into a substance of iron tenacity and that there was in every fiber a shuddering spasm.”

“If the American people believe that the assassination of President McKinley was God’s will, why do they put Czolgosz to death? Do they wish to express their official disapproval of the will of God?”

“You may be assured that nothing will be done by me to prevent the execution of Czolgosz on the day fixed by law.”

“The law has avenged the murder of William McKinley.”

“. . . he had a less painful death than would have befallen him had the people taken his execution into their own hands. They would have liked to trample on him as on a snake.”

“Child of yellow journalism and anarchy, the most contemptible being that God ever permitted to breathe the breath of life, Leon F. Czolgosz, the cowardly cur who assassinated President McKinley on September 6, went to his death in Auburn Prison Tuesday morning shortly after 7 o’clock, and by the use of a powerful electrical current of 1,700 volts the earth was made rid of the most loathsome creature it has ever known.”

“He could not by a thousand deaths make up to the American people the loss he has caused them. . . .”

“The execution excited even less interest than is usually bestowed on the destruction of a notorious criminal, and if there were any sympathizers with Czolgosz or his deed, they have been deprived of the consolations of martyr worship by the cold and reticent enforcement of the law.”

“The execution by electricity of Leon F. Czolgosz, which took place in the State Prison at Auburn, New York, on the morning of October 29, 1901, terminated the earthly existence of the most monstrous magnicide of the age.”

“It didn’t take very long to put Leon Czolgosz, the cowardly assassin of President McKinley, out of the world, and the time between his trial and his death was as brief as the law allows.”

“. . . on the morning of October 28th, 1901, he was placed in the electric chair, and died the death to which his wicked, wanton act condemned him.”

“As Czolgosz entered the room he appeared calm and self-possessed, his head was erect and his face bore an expression of defiant determination.”

“Turn on the current! I’m ready!”
     No sign of pain he bore;
A corpse now in the chair he sat—
     The murderer is no more.

“He met his executioners with haughty contempt, he walked to the death chamber with quiet dignity and simple grandeur.”

With fire of Heaven he withers like a leaf—
This hideous offering to our social Joss!