The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1901-09-10

oy the prisoner, Is as follows:
Il was born in Detroit, nearly TWEEN
ty-nine years ago. My parents were
Russian Poles. They came here -
a ago. 1 got my education in the
public schools of Detroit and then
went TO Cleveland where / got work.
In Cleveland i rea books on socialism
n met a great many socialists. I
was pretty well known as a socialist
in the west.
After being in Cleveland for several
years L went &c Chicago. where / re-
NAMED seven months, after which I
went to Newburg, on the outskirts Of
cleveland, and went TO work in the
Newburg wire mills.
During the last five years 1 have
a as friends anarchists in Chicago,
Cleveland. Detroit, and in other west
ern cities and 1 Suppose 1 became more
or less bitter. Yes, 1 was bitter.
Il never a much luck at anything
ana this preyed upon me. 1t made me
morose and envious. but what started
the craze 10 kill, was a lecture 1 heard
some little time ago by Emma Gold
man She was in Cleveland and l and
otner anarchists went TO hear her. She
set me on fire. Her doctrine hat all
rulers should be exterminated was
What Set me TO thinking, so that my
mead nearly split with the pain. Miss
Goldman's words went right through
me and when / left the lecture / had
made up my min that / would have
to do something heroic for the cause 1
loved.
Eight days ago, while l was in Chi
cago, 1 e in a Chicago newspaper
Of President McKinley's visit to the
Pan-American exposition at Buffalo.
That day I bought a ticket for Buffalo
n got here with the determination to
DO something, out / did not know just
what. L thought Of shooting the pres
ident. but 1 had not formed a plan.
Il went to live at No. 1918 Broadway,
which is a saloon and hotel. John No
wax. a Pole, a sort of politician who
has led his people here for years, owns
it. 1 told Nowak that 1 came to see
the fair. He knew nothing about what
was setting me ray. l went to the
exposition grounds a couple of times
a day.
Not until Tuesday morning did the
resolution to shoot the president take
a hold of me. 1t was in my heart;
there was 10 escape for me. I could
not have conquered it, had my life been
at stake. There were thousands Of
people in town on Tuesday. 1 heard it
was presidents day. All these people
seemed bowling to the great ruler. 1
made up my mind to kill that ruler. I
bought a 32-calibre revolver and load
ed it.
ION Tuesday night I went to the fair
grounds n was near the railroad gate
when the Presidential party arrived.
I tried to get near him, but the police
forced me back. They forced every
body Jack so that the great ruler could
pass. l was close to the president
when he got into the grounds, but was
afraid to attempt the assassination,
because there were so many men in
the hO6Vo1l9r 6 that watched him I
was not afraid Of them or that I
should get hurt. but afraid I might be
seized and that my chance would be
gone forever.
"Well, he went away that time and
I went home. On Wednesday I went
to the grounds and stood right near
the president, right under him neal
the stand from which he spoke.
Il thought half a dozen times of
shooting while he was speaking. but I
could not get close enough. I was
afraid I might miss and then the great
crowd was always joStling n 1 was
afraid lest my aim fail. I waited until
Wednesday n the president. got into
his carriage again and a lot of men
were about him and formed a Gordon
crowd was always jostling and I was
tossed about by the crowd n my
spirits were getting pretty low I was
almost hopeless that night as 1 went
home.
Yesterday morning I went again to
the exposition grounds. Emma Gold
mans speech was still burning me up.
/ waited near the central entrance for
the president, who was to board his
special train from that gate, out the
police allowed nobody but the presi-
dents party to pass where the train
waited. So L stayed at the grounds all
day waiting.
During yesterday 1 first thought of
hiding my pistol under my handker-
chief. 1 was afaid if I had to draw it
from my pocket I would be seen and
seized by the guards. I got to the Tenn
pie of Music the first one, and waited
at the post where the reception vas to
be held.
"Then he same, the president-the
ruler and 1 got in line and trembled
n trembled until L got right up to
him and then I shot him twice through
my white handkerchief. L would have
fired more, but I was stunned by a
blow in the face-a frightful blow that
knocked me down-and then everybody
jumped on me. I thought l would be
killed and was surprised at the way
they treated me-"
Czolgosz ended his story in utter ex-
haustion. When he had about conclud-
ed he was asked:
ident?"
81 did," was the cold blooded reply.
What was your motive; what good
could it do?"
81 am an anarchist. I am a disciple
Of Emma Goldman. Her words set
me on fire." he replied with not the
slightest tremor.
Il deny that I have had an accom-
plice at any time" Czolgosz told Dis
trict Attorney Penny. "I don't regret
my act, because 1 was doing what I
could for the great aus I am not
connected with the Paterson anarchists
or with those anarchists who sent
Bresci to Italy to kill Humbert. I had
no confidants-no one to help me. I
was alone absolutely"
SKETCH OF THE ASSASSIN