Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1901-10-29
TO.DAY'S rELEGRAPHIC NEWS
czoLGosZ ELECTROCUTED.

prison this morning. He was pronounc-
ed dead at 7:l6. With the purely
animal courage that had sustained him
the Youthful murderer paid the penalty
for his fearful crime. 10 less time, almost
time it takes to tell IL, the deadly cur
rent had passed through bis body end
ing bis miserable existence with unerr-
log swiflness. For the first time 10 the
history Of the prison condemned man
marched to the fatal chair unoccom-
panied by a spiritual adviser. Spirit
usl aid had been offered him but he
scorned the entreaties OF the priests
who visited him in his last hours. sno
last night, when his brother visited bin,
he declared that he wished no prizes,
wanted no one to pray for his soul.
After his brother had Left him Cz)l'
go:z made preparations to retire for his
last sleep. He went about silently and
his manner was much the same as on
the previous nights. He said nothing
to his guards WIN, sitting within the
cell, watched his every movement. de
rolled and tossed unessily OIL bis cot,
talking unintelligibly 10 his sleep, IN
Til about O'CLOCK when be fell into
deep slumber. He was still sleeping at
$50 o'clock when Warden Mead went
down to the death house to read the
death warrant. The guard shook the
assassin who awoke suddenly and look
ed about with q frightened air. The
The warrant was then read to him. he
subsequently pretended he had some
thing 10 the form of statement 10 make,
but upon being giveo an opportunity to
do so declined, alleging his audience
was too small. He then said he would
wait until seated in the electric chair,
but was told 1t would be too late. The
guards brought his last breakfast OF
toast aud eggs and coffee which be APP
parently enjoyed. The prison authori-
ties having been warned Of Czolgosz's
intention to make statement while 10
the chair, conducted the execution with
all possible speed. He was hurried
from his cell to the chair and was given
no opportunity to say anything. He
mad apparently rehearsed o long state
ment but the fear OF death cut 1t short.
It was at 7:05 o'clock when Warden
Mead called upon those assembled IN
his office to prepare to go to the death
chamber. The doctors aud others were
quickly 10 line aud Warden Mead gave
the signal for the start to the death
chamber. AS the witnesses filed slow
" In the execution chamber they took
seats 10 the chairs ranged along the
sides and back of the room. The cham
Der of death was lighted by number
OF incandescent lights. State Electric
ian Davis was waiting for his fifty eighth
victim. Every detail had been arraug
ed With great care and all was In readi-
ness. When the witnesses hal seated
themselves the electrician proceeded
TO test the apparatus and then nodded
TO Warden Mead that all was 10 readi-
ness. DR.. Macdonald, who OBLIGATED
at the first electrocution and who has
witnessed many since 10 an official Ca
paclty, stood beside the chair. The
head eleCtrode which had been soaking
In q pail OF salt water was in the mean
time being examined by Electrician
Davis. When all was ready Warden
Mead and four guards went after the
assassin. CZolgosZ was ready. He
was hustled out of the cell and with a
guard on either side, was marched to
the death chamber.
The prisoner came 10 with shamb-
liug gait. His sullen face was almost
chastity 10 the dim light as the guards
| hustled the wretch into the chair.
Czolgosz glanced helplessly about and
while the electricians were adjusting
the electrodes and drawing taut the
straps, he attempted TO make state.
meut. ~ shot the President because /
thought / would benefit the good
working people of our nation" ne said.
1t was with an effort that he spoke.
More incohereDt words followed.
They were almost unintelligiole. II
sm not sorry for my crime" This
uttersnce was painfully distir CT. Re-
ports do not agree as to Czolgosz's first
speech. The utlerance was variously
heard as II shot the President because
thought il would benefit the good
working people of denominations" and
81 shot the President because | thought
it would benefit the good working
people," The attendants seized Col
gosz's legs and passing the straps
around them, bound them firmly. A
cut had been made 10 the right leg OF
his trousers ready for the electrode,
which was applied after the mans leg
had been barred above his knee.
His arms were bound to the arms
OF the chair aud Straps we're
quickly passed across the abdomen
and chest until the man was firmly
bound down. Then the face straps,
covering the chin and part Of the nose,
we're fastened 10 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 ne said: 81 am heartily sorry
could not see my father" Electrician
Davis stepped back and placed his
hands on the lever. Then Warden
Mead gave the fatal sigDal. Davis,
standing partially concealed 10 the
closet 10 the corner, turned the lever
quickly and 100 volts went coursiug
through the murderer's body, which
stiffsned with a suddenness that was
startling. The ssssssin's body bound-d
up with a powerful coDvulsive move
ment as If be would burst the straps
which held him to the chair. His
chest srched out, the strap which held
it drawing taut. For over q minute
the current went bounding through
every tissue Of the body. Then the
current was turned off. The body re-
lsxed and sank b 'ck limp 10 the chair.
The current of LOO volts was slowly
rahuced To 200 Tnan the full current