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| Leon F. Czolgosz. |
Cortland Evening Standard, Friday, Sept. 27, 1901.
CZOLGOSZ SENTENCED TO DEATH.
Will Be Electrocuted at Auburn During Week of Oct. 28.
HAD A FEW WORDS TO SAY.
Asserted That His Relatives Had Nothing to Do With the Assassination. McKinley's Slayer Received His Doom Without So Much As the Twitching of An Eyelash Or the Moving of a Finger. After the Sentence Had Been Pronounced the Prisoner Appeared to Be On the Verge of Collapse, But He Recovered His Composure After a Mighty Effort—Was Taken Back Through the "Tunnel of Sobs" For the Last Time. Courtroom Was Packed to Suffocation to Hear the Sentence Pronounced. A Few Hours Afterward Czolgosz Was Placed In a Special Car and Taken to Auburn Where He Arrived at An Early Hour This Morning.
BUFFALO, Sept. 27.—Leon F. Czolgosz, the assassin of President McKinley, was yesterday afternoon sentenced to be electrocuted in Auburn State Prison in the week beginning Oct. 28.
Before sentence was pronounced the assassin evinced a desire to speak, but he could not get his voice above a whisper and his counsel repeated his words to the court.
"There was no one else but me," said Czolgosz. "No one else told me to do it; and no one paid me to do it. I was not told anything about the crime and I never thought anything about that until a couple of days before I committed the crime."
Czolgosz sat down. He was quite calm, but to one who watched him closely it was evident that his mind was flooded with thoughts of his own distress. The pupils of his eyes were dilated, making them appear very bright. His temples glistened with perspiration. His weakness and vanishing strength were well indicated by his difficulty of speech. The detectives touched the prisoner on the shoulder and told him to stand up that they might place the handcuffs on his wrists. He looked at them with an expression of the profoundest fear and helplessness in his eyes. He glanced about at the sea of faces moving about him crowded together to get a glimpse at his face. It was evident that he feared violence from the people in the room. At this juncture Judge Titus stepped over and said in a kind voice:
"Well, Czolgosz, good-bye."
"Good-bye," replied the prisoner tremulously.
The prisoner was hurried downstairs and through the "tunnel of sobs" to the jail, where he will remain until taken to Auburn to meet death for his dastardly crime.
Made No Harangue In Court.
As soon as Justice White assumed the bench yesterday afternoon, Crier Hess said:
"Pursuant to a recess, this trial term of the supreme court is now open for the transaction of business."
District Attorney Penney said:
"If your honor please, I move sentence in the case of the people vs. Leon Czolgosz. Stand up, Czolgosz."
Clerk Fisher swore the prisoner as follows:
"You do solemnly swear that you will true answers make to the questions that shall be put to you, touching your name, age, occupation, and previous place of residence."
"Leon, how old are you?" asked Mr. Penney.
"Twenty-eight."
"Where were you born?"
"Detroit."
"What is your age?"
"Twenty-eight."
"Where did you live?"
"On Broadway, Nowak's place."
"Are you married or single?"
"Single."
"What schools have you attended?"
"The common school and parochial."
"What church, the Catholic church?"
"Yes, sir."
"What church were you educated in? Did you go to the Catholic church?"
"Yes, sir."
"Are your father and mother alive?"
"No."
"Which is dead?"
"Father is living."
"Are yon temperate? Do you know what that means? Do you drink much? Do you drink intoxicating liquors much?"
"No."
"Do you ever get drunk? Are you in the habit of getting drunk?"
No answer.
"Have you ever been convicted of any crime before this?"
"No, sir."
Mr. Fisher, the clerk of the court, then asked:
"Have you any legal cause to show now why the sentence of the court should not now be pronounced against you?"
"I can't hear that," replied the prisoner.
Clerk Fisher repeated his question and Czolgosz replied:
"I'd rather have this gentleman here speak," looking towards District Attorney Penney. "I can hear him better."
At this point Justice White told those in the courtroom that they must be quiet or they would be excluded from the room. Mr. Penney then said to the prisoner:
"Czolgosz, the court wants to know if you have any reason to say why sentence should not be pronounced against you. Have you anything to say to the Judge? Say yes or no."
The prisoner did not reply, and Justice White, addressing the prisoner, said:
"In that behalf, what you have a right to say relates explicitly to the subject in hand here at this time, and which the law provides, why sentence should not be now pronounced against you, and is defined by the statute in the following words:
"The first is, that you may claim that you are insane.
"The next is, that you have good cause to offer either in arrest of the judgment about to be pronounced against you, or for a new trial. Those are the grounds specified by the statute in which you have a right to speak at this time, and you are at perfect liberty to do so if you wish."
The prisoner replied: "I have nothing to say about that."
The court said: "Are you ready?"
Mr. Penney replied: "Yes."
"Have you anything to say?" asked Justice White.
"Yes," replied the prisoner.
Judge Titus said: "I think he should be permitted to make a statement in exculpation of his act, if the court please."
The court replied: "That will depend upon what his statement is."
Justice White then said: "Have you (speaking to Judge Titus) anything to say in behalf of the prisoner at this time?"
"I have nothing to say within the definition of what your honor has read," replied the attorney. "But it seems to me that in order that the innocent should not suffer by this defendant's crime, that the court should permit him to exculpate at least his father, brother and sisters."
From the court: "Certainly, if that is the object of any statement he will make. Proceed."
Czolgosz Defends His Relatives.
Then the prisoner said: "There was no one else but me. No one else told me to do it; and no one paid me to do it."
Judge Titus repeated it, as follows, owing to the prisoner's feeble voice: "He says no one had anything to do with the commission of his crime but himself; that his father and mother, and no one else, had anything to do with it, and knew nothing about it."
The prisoner continued: "I was not told anything about that crime, and I never thought anything about that until a couple of days before I committed the crime."
Judge Titus again repeated as follows: "He never told anyone about the crime, and never intended to commit it until a couple of days before its commission,"
Judge White Passes Sentence.
Then Justice White passed sentence as follows:
"In taking the life of our beloved President, you committed a crime which shocked and outraged the moral sense of the civilized world. You have confessed that guilt, and after learning all that at this time can be learned from the facts and circumstances of the case, twelve good jurors have pronounced you guilty, and have found you guilty of murder in the first degree.
"You have said, according to the testimony of credible witnesses and yourself, that no other person aided or abetted you in the commission of this terrible act. God grant it may be so. The penalty for the crime for which you stand convicted is fixed by the statute, and it now becomes my duty to pronounce this judgment against you.
"The sentence of the court is that in the week beginning Oct. 28, 1901, at the place, in the manner and means prescribed by law, you suffer the punishment of death. Remove the prisoner."
FAIR AND TOURNAMENT.
THE CINCINNATUS, N. Y., CELEBRATION A COMPLETE SUCCESS.
All Otselic Valley Turns out—Great Crowds in Attendance--Ideal Weather for the Event—Some of the Exhibits—Live Stock, Poultry, and Fancy Work—The Midway—Beard & Peck's Wedding Ceremony Performed In Presence of 5,000 People—Today's Program.
That Cincinnatus can have a big fair and a successful one is being practically demonstrated this week. The weather has been ideal for the occasion, and from Cincinnatus and all the surrounding country people have literally flocked to the grounds to see the sights, have a good visit, meet their friends and renew old acquaintances.
On Wednesday, the first day of the fair, nearly 2,000 people were on the grounds and the number yesterday by conservative estimate was placed at more than 5,000. The Erie & Central New York railroad carried over 900 people to Cincinnatus and almost every available place for hitching teams on the grounds and all through the village was taken. Some had even taken their horses to the edge of the woods on the hillside east of the fair grounds, and these seen from a distance as the train approached the village or as one drove in from the opposite side of the valley gave the visitor the first intimation of the crowd and impressed the idea that something unusual was going on.
The grounds are situated between the two villages, Upper and Lower Cincinnatus, and comprise about fifteen acres of comparatively level meadow land. Inasmuch as the grounds are not enclosed by a tight fence and there is no means of keeping people from entering at any point they choose, many who were not inclined to pay gained free admission. But in the main, people came in at the entrance and bought season tickets, family tickets or single admissions as the case might be.
There are no buildings upon the grounds, and the exhibits, except what are in the open air, are shown beneath large and small tents. The local merchants of Cincinnatus have taken an active part in the enterprise and their exhibits make a fine showing. Cortland merchants have not been slow in taking advantage of the opportunities offered by the fair for bringing their business to the attention of buyers in the eastern part of the county and a number have fine exhibits.
After passing the merry-go-round which is one of the first features encountered after entering the grounds, one comes to a large tent which contains most of the merchants' exhibits and which corresponds to exhibition hall. In the center of this tent Messrs. Corning & Haskins of Cincinnatus have one of the largest displays to be found upon the grounds. Their principal feature is a line of celebrated Stewart ranges and heaters and Beckwith round oak ranges and heaters. Ames, the shoe man, occupies a prominent position in the tent with a large booth where samples of shoes are shown and where the ladies' driving contest is being conducted under the direction of his well known and popular salesman, Mr. Chas. P. Dunbar. As no entrance fee is required and any lady visiting the fair who wishes to do so is permitted to enter this contest, Mr. Dunbar has little difficulty in keeping the hammer going most of the time, upon the promise that the driver may be the lucky one to take home with her the pair of $4 shoes offered to the winner. This driving contest is not what one might at first be led to expect. Horses are barred entirely and hammer and nails make the contest more simple though in many cases not less dangerous. It is fun to watch the drivers. To drive wire nails into a piece of hemlock seems an easy task, but for a number of women, unaccustomed to the use of a hammer and in the presence of a crowd of eager lookers on the attempt often produces unexpected results.
Numerous cases of bruised fingers were reported yesterday. The contest continued today and the result will be announced at the close of the fair. The highest record yesterday was twenty-seven nails in one minute.
The Model Clothing Co. has a fine clothing exhibit and its booth is an attractive one.
Kellogg, the drygoods merchant, exhibits dress goods, fall and winter coats, wraps and furs.
Mrs. Watkins has an attractive millinery booth and near the entrance to the tent Baker & Angell have a complete line of fine shoes which well represents their immense stock.
Farmers' Favorite feed cookers and Perfection Milk coolers are shown by L. R. Lewis of Cortland and the Champion Milk Cooler Co. have an extensive line of the goods handled by them. The Armour Fertilizer Co. is represented by the local agent Mr. F. M. Curtis, and the general agent H. C. Smith of Syracuse.
J. M. Cooper of 69 West Houston-st., New York, has a fine display of furs, and Cincinnatus milliners are represented by Jennie M. Livermore and Mrs. F. O. Hakes, both of whom have fine samples of work.
Peck Bros. of the Farmers' Exchange have a large tent, where they have an unusually large line of wagons, harness, blankets, robes and all kinds of horse furnishings and agricultural implements. F. L. Main of Willet represents the Keystone Mfg. Co., and has on exhibition the Keystone level tread horse power, Keystone buzz saw and ensilage cutter. These are a few of the many exhibits which go to make up the entire list.
AMONG THE LIVE STOCK.
There are many entries in the live stock department and the showing is a large and attractive one. B. H. Wheeler of Cortland has his celebrated herd of Jerseys and many herds of thoroughbred and grade stock of all kinds, which have made Cincinnatus and the surrounding country famous as a dairy section are represented. There is also a fine showing of young stock, sheep and hogs. The cattle tent is a long narrow tent extending along the road near the southern boundary of the grounds, where most of the stock can be seen from the highway, The poultry tent has some fancy birds and attracted those interested in that feature of the show.
THE MIDWAY.
In these days no fair is complete without its midway and the Cincinnatus fair is not behind in this respect. The attractions are many and varied and each has its full share of attention. Some claim to have come direct from the Pan-American and this is held out as an inducement to visitors. There is the mechanical wonder of the age, showing all sorts of figures and specimens of machinery in miniature; Queen Olga, the fortune teller in an evergreen trimmed tent decked with flags, tells past, present and future for the mere sum of 25 cents. Queen Olga claims to be one of the Pan-American attractions who consider Cincinnatus superior to the Queen City of the lakes just at this time. The chamber of mysteries, taffy and peanut stands, refreshment booths, Zella the gypsy queen and oriental palmist and others not the least among whom was found Ira O. Diamond, who had shouted until he was hoarse selling the celebrated Diamond hat pin, the superior qualities he set forth in glowing terms. Mr. Diamond asserts that he sold seven gross of the pins yesterday and had to stop because his supply ran out.
A large tent was completely filled with the exhibit of fancy work which was one of the most extensive ever seen at a local fair.
H. C. Higgins' fine bird exhibit was a feature which attracted a crowd. Mr. Higgins is an authority on birds and shells and has one of the finest collections in this section. Those shown at the fair are only a portion of his entire collection.
Burnham, the photographer, did a great business. Tin types are in constant demand, and an album containing duplicates of the pictures taken would be an interesting souvenir of the first Cincinnatus fair.
The dance tent was constantly crowded. This was in charge of Dillon Bros. of Cortland with McDermott's orchestra furnishing music.
THE WEDDING.
The principal event of the day was the wedding which took place at 2:30 P. M. and was witnessed by more than 5,000 people. All other attractions were for the time suspended. The merry-go-round stopped for lack of business, dancing at the tent ceased, the ball game was stopped until the ceremony was over. The midway was deserted, and even the wheel of fortune was still and people from all parts of the grounds crowded about the high elevated platform to witness the ceremony.
A flutter of excitement was caused at the grounds just before the time for performing the ceremony, when the people thought the bridal party had arrived.
The coach and four black horses driven by Mr. A. D. Randall with Walter Russell as footman was waiting for the bridal party and were driving toward the station as the afternoon train arrived. Mr. R. H. Beard, who had charge of the arrangements, was in the carriage, and among the people who had just come on the train from Cortland were Mr. and Mrs. T. P. Bristol, Miss Belle Atkinson and Miss Mary Atkinson and Mr. Frank P. Hakes. Accepting the cordial invitation the party entered the carriage and following the directions of Mr. Beard, who alighted to make room for the party; they were driven through the principal streets of the village and to the [fair] grounds. Every one thought the bridal party had arrived and shouts of "There they come, there they come,'' greeted them as they drove up and it was with difficulty that the band, stationed at the entrance, was restrained from striking up the wedding march before the mistake was discovered.
The hour set for the wedding was 2:30 and shortly after 2 o'clock the bridal party left the hotel. The bride was Miss Eva J. Browne and the groom, Mr. Burton J. Miller, both of Cortland. They had left Cortland at 8 o'clock and had had a most delightful ride with coach and four to Cincinnatus. An elaborate dinner had been served at Hotel Bennett, and accompanied by the best man and matron of honor, Mr. and Mrs. Alvin Haskins of Cuyler the happy couple started for the fair grounds where the immense crowd awaited their coming as the leading feature of the day. And surely bride and groom rarely attracted more attention. The four black horses, with their shining trappings, the liveried driver and colored footman, likewise in livery, and the music by the band caused all eyes to be turned in their direction and for the time being they were the center of attraction and everything else was forgotten.
At the entrance to the grounds the Cortland City band was awaiting the bridal party. At a signal from Mr. Beard the band struck up the wedding march and headed by two policemen to clear the way, the band proceeded followed by officers of the fair, and a representative delegation of Cincinnatus business men, headed by Mr. Beard and Mr. Frederick, the carriage with the bridal party bringing up the rear the procession started. Down through the midway with every eye turned toward them and necks craned forward to catch a glimpse of the bride and groom the people watched them pass and then surged forward toward the grandstand to witness the ceremony. Out through the field, past all minor attractions across the little bridge spanning the tiny stream, onto the race course where today's tournament will take place the band led the procession. So dense was the crowd about the grandstand that it was with difficulty the carriage approached the platform.
Rev. F. Wayne Sessions, pastor of the Methodist church at Cincinnatus performed the ceremony and as be pronounced the words which made the two husband and wife a cheer went up from the multitude and the band played the bridal chorus while those on the platform extended congratulations and best wishes to the happy couple.
The bride wore a plain blue traveling dress, a grey hat trimmed with dark velvet, light grey gloves, and carried a large bouquet presented by Mr. Beard. After receiving congratulations the bride and groom re-entered the carriage and were driven back toward the main entrance. There they alighted from the carriage and escorted by Mr. Beard made a trip about the grounds visiting all the leading attractions and exhibits. At Ames' booth the bride was invited to take part in the driving contest but declined. Before leaving, however, she was asked by the manager to accept with the compliments of the firm, a pair of dainty blue kid shoes which he carefully and ostentatiously selected from the stock on exhibition. After seeing the sights and meeting many of the people attending the fair, Mr. and Mrs. Miller started for Cortland where they arrived in time to take the 6:09 Lehigh Valley train for a more extended wedding trip to Cuyler, DeRuyter and other points. Upon their return they will make their home in Cortland and the $50 parlor suite offered by Beard & Peck will be delivered to them.
The fair and tournament closes today and another large crowd is in attendance. The special feature of today's program is the grand tournament this afternoon. The gentlemen participating in this have been in training for some time and prizes will be awarded upon the results of the scores.
THE FIRE ALARM SYSTEM.
Mr. J. Murphy of Home Telephone Temporary Manager.
The [Cortland] board of fire commissioners has placed the fire alarm system in the hands of the Home Telephone company to keep in repair and has named Mr. J. Murphy of that company as temporary manager until some arrangements can be made for either installing a new system, or adopting the telephone system for the alarms.
It is believed by the fire board that the plan that has been suggested of using the Home Telephone company's telephones for fire alarm purposes, is feasible and practical, and Mr. Edward Alley, who was made a committeeman to consult the board of insurance underwriters, states that, although he has not heard officially from that board, yet he has been assured that no opposition will be met from that quarter.
New Cement Walks.
Three new cement walks are being built on the north side of Clinton-ave., between Charles-st. and Main-st. in front of the premises of Mr. C. W. Collins, Mr. John Felkel and Mrs. Philena Ives. Formerly there was three short bends in the walks mentioned, but a curve will be made in front of the Felkel property, and this will obviate the necessity for making any other turns in the new walks.
BREVITIES.
—The city clock has again set a rapid pace for the time pieces of Cortland. It should be given another setback.
—The infant son of Mr. and Mrs. Harry Frazier, 8 1/2 Rickard-st., who died at 1 o'clock yesterday afternoon, was buried in Cortland Rural cemetery at 10 o'clock this morning.
—Charles Moses, an Armenian peddler, was arrested yesterday afternoon by Acting Chief Day Baker for disposing of his goods from house to house without a license. He appeared in city court and was ordered to leave the city at once.
—A reception for young men will be given at the Y. M. C. A. rooms on Saturday evening at 8 o'clock. Music and refreshments will be features of the evening. Every young man is cordially invited to be present and to bring another gentleman friend with him.
—The funeral of Mr. Patrick Keenan, who died yesterday at Groton City, will be held at 9 o'clock tomorrow morning at the house and at 10:30 o'clock at the Catholic church at McLean, not at Groton, as was erroneously stated to us yesterday. The burial will be at McLean, not at Groton.
—The train upon which Prof. and Mrs. A. L. Bouton returned to New York last Tuesday morning met with a series of accidents on the way. At one point it struck and killed three cows, at another it struck a pair of horses and a wagon, killing one of the horses and the driver, injuring the other horse and smashing the wagon. The train, however, was not harmed.
—A telephone, fastened to one of the big poles of the Home Telephone Co. at the corner of Main and Court-sts,, in front of the old Savings bank building today, might have given the impression that this company was about to begin giving street telephone service. Such is not the case, however, and the telephone company had the instrument at that place only to direct the employees in connecting wires at that corner.
—New display advertisements today are—Cortland Howe Ventilating, Testimonial from J. P. Bell, Fremont, Ohio, page 8; McKinney & Doubleday, Reference library, page 6; M. A. Case, Dry goods, page 6; C. F. Brown, Paints and varnishes, page 8; Warren, Tanner & Co., Special sale of towels, page 8; Mitch's Market, Meats, page 5; Yager & Crandall, Homer, Millinery Opening, page 8; Samuel Katzen, Merchant Tailoring, page 7; C. F. Thompson, Hulled corn, etc., page 5; Opera House, Conway & Hass Co., page 5.
SLUGGED THE EDITOR
Who was Probably J. G. Ford, Formerly of the Dryden Herald.
The Kingston Freeman of Sept. 25 reprints from the Stamford Mirror the following which probably relates to J. Giles Ford, formerly editor of the Dryden Herald, but who left that place to go to Stamford to conduct a paper:
John Garrett, a printer employed at The Recorder office during the summer, was arrested by Officer Griffin at Arkville Saturday morning, and in the evening was fined by Justice Churchill $15 for an assault upon the editor the night before. He had been discharged for insubordination on Thursday, and by Friday evening was so drunk and disorderly that Editor Ford, out of respect for the telephone operator who occupies a part of the office, found it necessary to eject him by force, which be proceeded to do. In the scuffle, which lasted about a minute, Garrett managed to loosen a couple of teeth for his former employer, and to scratch his face most beautifully, but that was not enough, and sometime afterward, waiting upon the street corner where the editor would pass, he struck him a blow from which he suffers a broken rib. Though Garrett had won friends by his pleasant manner when he was himself, there is little doubt that he is an old offender, and it is said that during his flight to Margaretville he was identified as being concerned in the beating and robbery of an umbrella mender at that place last fall, afterwards escaping from the officer who had him in charge.
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