 |
| Leon F. Czolgosz. |
Cortland Evening Standard, Tuesday, Oct. 29, 1901.
CZOLGOSZ PAYS THE PENALTY.
Successfully Electrocuted in Auburn State Prison at 7:16:15 this Morning. Stolid and Unmoved Till the Last—Tried to Talk While Being Strapped to the Chair—Said He was not Sorry for His Crime—Sorry He Couldn't see His Father Again—Three Applications of the Electric Current—Autopsy Performed—Brain and all Other Organs Perfectly Normal.
AUBURN, N. Y., Oct 29.—President McKinley's assassin is dead. Leon F. Czolgosz alias Fred Nieman was successfully electrocuted at Auburn prison this morning. He was pronounced dead at 7:16:15 A. M. with the purely animal courage that had sustained him and the inmate coward within him struggling to his lips, the youthful murderer hated by a nation and the world at large, paid the penalty for his fearful crime. In less time than it takes to tell it the deadly current had passed through his body rubbing out his miserable existence with merciful and unerring swiftness. Seated in the chair with the fatal current about to be applied Czolgosz facing the witnesses said:
''I shot the president because I thought I would benefit the good working people of all nations. I am not sorry for my crime."
During this time the attendants were busy strapping him to the chair. His last words were:
"I'm heartily sorry I didn't see my father."
This was said after the strap had been drawn across his face, yet his words were heard distinctly by all the witnesses in the room.
Wretched creature that he was, he went to his death unsupported by the comforting thought that he had made peace with his God. For the first time in the history of the prison a condemned man marched to the fatal chair unaccompanied by a spiritual adviser. Spiritual aid had been offered him, but be scorned the entreaties of the priests who visited him in his last hours and last night when his brother visited him he declared that he wanted no priest, wanted no one to pray for his soul.
It was 7:05— five minutes after the time designated by Warden Mead for the execution when he called upon those assembled in the office to prepare to go to the death chamber. The witnesses had been chatting with one another as though they were to attend a political gathering instead of an execution, but at the sound of the warden's voice a hush came over them as they filed out and into the hall which opens out on the prison yard. Here they gathered in semicircle while one of the clerks called the roll of those present. The witnesses were lined up by twos as their names were called.
State Treasurer Jaeckel, who had been chosen for one of the jury and H. H. Bender, headed the line. Next came A. W. Cole of the state railroad commission, and with him was Charles R. Skinner, state superintendent of public instruction. The doctors and others were quickly in line and at 7:06 Warden Mead gave the signal for the start to the death chamber, with Warden Mead and Superintendent Collins in the lead, the little procession marching down the stairway leading to the south wing of the prison and into the corridor.
Although the guards had mounted the walls at the usual time of 7, the thousand convicts were not turned out until after the assassin had been successfully launched into eternity. As the witnesses passed down the corridor not a sound was heard from the convicts who, standing in their cell doors, watched the little procession as it filed past. Every one of them knew that the slayer of the country's ruler was to meet a just fate. Heretofore groans and catcalls have greeted witnesses bound for the death chamber, but today there was a silence that was almost impressive. The guards stationed along the corridors respectfully saluted the little party as it passed, opening the great doors, the clanging of the bolts and the tread of the witnesses' feet being the only thing to mar the stillness. It took but a minute to reach the death house. The door opened and the party passed through an ante-chamber, formerly used as a detention house, into the corridor leading to the execution chamber.
As the witnesses filed past through the corridor they could glance through the grating at the left at the tops of the condemned men's cells, but the occupants could not be seen. Czolgosz in his cell knew that his time on earth was limited. He heard the tread of the witnesses and with beating heart awaited the final summons. The other murderers crouched in their cells and waited in fearful expectancy for the appearance of the guards. In a ceil next to the one occupied by the assassin, is Alfred Krist, the Owego murderer who is to meet death in the same chair on Monday next.
The door of the execution chamber was opened and as the witnesses filed slowing in they took seats in the chairs ranged along the sides and back of the room. The chamber of death was lighted by a number of incandescent lights with electricity furnished by the dynamos in the prison shops.
Electrician E. F. Davis who has officiated at every electrocution since the electrocution of Kemmler, Aug. 6, 1890, was waiting for his 58th victim. Every detail had been arranged with great care and all was in readiness. Standing at the door of the little closet in one corner of the electrocution chamber he surveyed the witnesses as they entered. Near him stood ex-Warden Thayer, of Clinton prison, who officiated as assistant electrician, Warden Thayer himself having given the signal which has sent nine murders into eternity.
Warden Mead and Supt. Collins quickly took up their positions, Mead standing a few feet from the chair and in a position where he could signal Electrician Davis when the opportune moment arrived. When the witnesses had seated themselves the electrician proceeded to test the apparatus to see that everything was in working order. A band of twenty-four incandescent lights placed across the arm of the chair glowed forth with a sudden brilliancy. It was only a few seconds and the current was turned off. This was at 7:09, but three minutes after the little party had left the warden's office. Again the lever controlling the deadly current was thrown over and again the little lights sent forth their significant glow. Again the current was shut off. The electrician nodded to Warden Mead that all was in readiness.
Dr. MacDonald, who officiated at the first electrocution, and who has witnessed many since in an official capacity, stood beside the chair. It was a nervous and anxious body of men that watched these final preparations. The chair of death was in front of them, so close in fact that some of them could almost have touched it. There was the stillness of death in the room. Standing at the door leading to the row of murderers' cells stood Principal Keeper Tupper ready to admit the warden when he went after Czolgosz.
The head electrode, which had been soaking in a pail of salt water in a corner of the electrocution chamber, was in the meantime being examined by Mr. Davis. Seconds seemed hours to those in waiting. The witnesses sat still and immovable, every eye on the door from which the doomed man was soon to enter the death chamber. They nerved themselves for any ordeal. Many thought the assassin might collapse on his way to the chair, others that he might die propounding his anarchistic theories. The officials had hoped that he would meet death silently. They feared a scene when the final movement came.
Warden Mead had selected his assistants from the guards of the prison who have had the widest experience in such affairs. Those chosen to conduct Czolgosz to the chair and fasten him ready for eternity are experts in the business.
When all was ready Warden Mead and four guards went after the assassin. Keeper Tupper shot back the bolt of the door leading to the condemned men's row, with a clang. The witnesses seated nearest the corridor caught a momentary glimpse of the cell, less than 40 feet from the chair. It was quickly reached by the guards. The door was unlocked and swung wide open. Czolgosz was ready. He was hustled out of the cell and with a brawny guard on either side was marched to the chair. As he entered the death chamber he looked about him. He saw the cold, stony, unsympathetic gaze of the witnesses upon him. His eyes stared and he was apparently nerving himself for his final words.
The prisoner came with a shambling gait. He walked with free and certain gait, his sullen face almost ghastly in the dim light. It was a face neither livid nor strange, but those who saw it for the first time noted the effeminacy of the lips, the long jaw and strong thick nose, the unevenly moulded features of his round face, the left eye being higher than the right, and the left ear higher than the right.
The guards hustled him into the chair and in less time than it takes to tell, Czolgosz was on the brink of eternity.
It was 7:10 1/2 when he entered the chamber and 4 1/2 minutes later he was pronounced dead by the attending physicians.
Once in the chair, Czolgosz gazed helplessly about and while the electricians were adjusting the electrodes and drawing taut the straps he attempted to make a statement.
"I shot the president because I thought I would benefit the good working people of all nations," he said.
It was with an effort that he spoke. The witnesses, surprised, glued their eyes on the assassin and strained their ears to catch the words which followed. The attendants faltered not a moment but adjusted the straps and electrodes with unerring precision. More incoherent words followed. They were almost unintelligible. The assassin had evidently made up his mind what he would say, but with death before him be faltered.
"I'm not sorry for my crime."
This utterance was painfully distinct. Some of the witnesses whispered "Let him die, the dog," they said.
Dr. Macdonald watched the adjustment of the straps by Electrician Davis and his assistants while Warden Mead stood by, a silent spectator. The attendants seized Czolgosz's legs and passing the straps around them, bound them firmly. A cut had been made in the right leg of his trousers ready for the electrode, which was applied after the man's leg had been bared above his knee. His arms were bound to the arms of the chair and straps were quickly passed across the abdomen and chest, until he was firmly bound down. Then the face straps covering the chin and a part of the nose were fastened in place.
All was now ready for the adjustment of the wires. With his face almost hidden by the straps, Czolgosz made one final effort to talk. He was evidently thinking of home for just before the current was applied he said:
"I am heartily sorry I could not see my father."
Electrician Davis glanced quickly at the electrodes and the straps to see that all was in readiness. He stepped back and placed his hand on the lever. Then Warden Mead gave the fatal signal. Electrician Davis, standing partially concealed in the closet in the corner, turned the lever quickly and 1,700 volts went coursing through the murderer's body, which stiffened with a suddenness that was startling. The assassin's body bounded up with a powerful convulsive movement as if he would burst the straps which held him to the chair. His chest arched out, the strap which held it drawing taut. For over a minute the current went bounding through every tissue of the body. Every muscle was tense. The face, so far as could be seen, did not change expression. Then the current was turned off. No sound came from the body, but the deceptive simulation of life, which always accompanies the cessation of an electric current through the animal tissues. The murderer's chest, which had been thrown forward against the strop, fell in. The body relaxed and sank back limp in the chair. The current of 1,700 volts, eight amperes, which shot through the body, was slowly reduced to 200. Then the full current was turned on again and slowly reduced to almost nothing.
Dr. Macdonald, standing at Czolgorz's left, stepped up and placed his finger on the assassin's bared neck to discover if there was still life in the body. Dr. Gerin, the prison physician, who was attired in the uniform required by law, stepped on the right and did likewise. Then, at 7:14:30, there was a third contact which lasted but a few seconds. Again the body stiffened under the powerful current, falling back limp and lifeless when the current was turned off.
Dr. Gerin stepped forward with a stethoscope. The assassin's coat was thrown back and his shirt opened in front. The instrument was placed over the heart and the doctor listened for signs of life.
"He is dead," was all he said. This was at 7:15. The stethoscope was handed to Dr. Macdonald who listened intently for signs of life. "He is dead," was all he said.
A buzz went round among the witnesses. Warden Mead wheeled about and raised his hand warningly. "Hush, hush,'' he said, and again there was a deathlike stillness.
Just before the assassin was brought in Warden Mead, addressing the witnesses, cautioned them to keep their seats and maintain a strict silence no matter what happened.
Then Dr. Macdonald, turning to the witnesses, said:
"The physicians present can come forward and examine the pulse to satisfy themselves that the man is dead."
Dr. Ely stepped forward and applied the stethoscope. He listened intently, then passed it to Dr. Trowbridge. Other physicians present examined the body and satisfied themselves that the man was really dead. Then the witnesses filed slowly out of the death chamber and went back to the warden's office. Here the death certificate was produced and signed by the twelve men who composed the jury. This over, they were cautioned by Superintendent Collins to observe secrecy as to the details of the execution and to retrain from discussing them outside the prison gate.
The body was carried to the room adjoining the condemned men's cell where after the animal heat had left it, the autopsy was performed under the supervision of Dr. Macdonald.
The autopsy which was conducted by a number of physicians showed Csolgosz's brain to be in a perfectly normal condition. It was above the average in weight and formation and showed not a slightest lesion. The doctors say every organ in the body was in a normal condition at the time of his death.
.jpg)
PAGE FOUR—EDITORIAL.
Don't Get Caught in the Cyclone.
Politicians, young or old, who think they have a future before them for place and advancement should see to it that they do not get caught in the cyclone which is sure to arise against anyone who contributes toward the defeat directly or indirectly of the appropriation for the new public school building, either by voting against it or refusing to vote at all. The taxpaying voters are less than one-third of the voting population of this city, and the other two-thirds, non-taxpaying voters, are vitally interested to this appropriation—it is their children who will be turned into the streets for the want of the school building, and they will, in the elections where they do have a vote, take swift vengeance upon those who refuse school facilities to the children of the city, thus depriving them of an education which would fit them for their work in life. Not only politicians, but all classes, including business men who depend upon the people for support, should look to it that they do not get in the way of the cyclone which is sure to come if this appropriation is defeated.
The people of Cortland have heretofore been proud of the growth in population and material prosperity of the city. The growth of the population has been the basis of the growth of its material wealth and prosperity. Now it is proposed to refuse school privileges to the non-taxpayers of the city. The schools of the city have been one of the strongest inducements for people to move here. Not even manufacturing institutions can draw population to a town where the controlling influences refuse to provide school facilities adequate to the demands of the age. There is nothing more certain than that the decadence of this town will begin when we refuse to provide ample school facilities for our growing children. We again inquire, shall we stop the increase in our population?
Death of Mrs. Luker.
Mrs. I.ydia Luker, wife of Mr. Thomas Luker of Little York, died this morning at about 9 o'clock at the home of Mr. Luker's mother, who lives about one mile west of Cortland. Mrs. Luker was brought to Cortland from Little York about three weeks ago for an operation for tumor, but complications set in which made this impossible. She was a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ceylon Isbell of Little York and a niece of Mr. L. P. Hollenbeck of this city. Mrs. Luker was 25 years old. The funeral arrangements have not been made as yet.
BREVITIES.
—Cortlandville lodge, No. 470, F. & A. M., will confer the second degree at their regular communication this evening.
—The Fortnightly club will meet tomorrow afternoon at 3:30 o'clock at the home of Miss Martha McGraw, 6 James-st.
—The Wide Awake Literary club will meet at the home of Mrs. Robert McMillen, 8 Harrison-st., tonight at 7:30 o'clock.
—The Saturday afternoon dancing class will not meet this week on account of the "Egypta" matinee, which is given at the time the class generally convenes.
—A mothers' meeting will be held at the home of Mrs. J. E. Jones, 26 Cleveland-st. tomorrow, Wednesday, Oct. 30, at 3 o'clock. All mothers especially invited.
—The regular meeting of Tendesee tribe, I. O. R. M., No. 415, will be held at Good Templars' hall Wednesday evening, at 7:30 o'clock. All members are requested to be present.
—New display advertisements today are—Warren, Tanner & Co., Drygoods, page 8; C. F. Brown, Drugs, etc., page 7; M. A. Case, Drygoods, page 6; City Steam laundry, Laundry work, page 5.
—The offering recently taken at the First Baptist church for the Day Memorial chapel in Madras, India, was $55.87; the offering for state missions was: church, $92.82; Sunday-school, $30. Total. $122.82.
—Word has been received in Cortland of the death yesterday after a long illness at her home in Skaneateles of Mrs. S. A. Cayvette, mother of Miss Zora N. Cayvette of Cortland. Miss Cayvette has been with her mother for the last three weeks of her illness.
—The reception for Rev. J. J. McLoghlin, pastor of St. Mary's church, who returned Saturday from a trip to Europe which had been planned for tonight, has been postponed for necessary reasons till Thursday night of this week when it will occur at Empire hall.
No comments:
Post a Comment