The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1901-09-07
Assassin coNFEssEs.
Says He is an Anarchist and q Con-
vert of Emma Goldman.

BuHalO, N L. sept Leon SZOl-
ogsz the accused and self-confessed
assassin of President Mckinley, has
signed a confession covering six pages
of foolscap and which states that he is
an anarchist and that he became an
enthusiastic member of that body
through the influence of Emma Gold
man. whose writings he had read and
whose lectures ne had listened to. He
denies having any confederate and
says he decided on the act three days
ago and bought the revolver with
which the act was committed in Buff
falO. He has seven brothers and sis
tiers in Cleveland and the Cleveland
directory has the names Of about that
number living on Hosmer street and
Ackland avenue, which adjOin. Some
of them are butchers and others are
employed in different trades. He is
now detained at police headquarters
pending the result of the presidents in
juries.
Czologsz does not appear in the least
degree uneasy or penitent for his ac-
ton He says he was induced by his
attention to Emma Goldmans lectures
and writings to decide that the present
form of government in this country
was all wrong, and he thought the best
way to end It was by killing the preSl-
dent. He shows no sign of insanity.
but is very reticent about much of mis-
career. While acknowledging himself
an anarchist, ne does not state to what
branch of the organization he belongs
While the wounded president was be
ing borne from the exposition to the
Milburn residence between rows of on
lockers with barred heads, a far differ
ent spectacle was being witnessed
along the route Of his aSsailant'S jour
ney from the scene of his crime to po-
lice headquarters. The trip was made
so quickly that the prisoner was safely
landed within the wide portals of this
police station and the doors closed be-
fore anyone was aware of his presence.
The news Of the attempted assassina-
hsarr ~l,s1.
spread broadcast by the newspapers,
like widtire 1t spread from mouth to
mouth Then bulletins began to ap-
pear on the boards along Newspaper
Row. and when the announcement was
made that the prisoner had been taken
to police headquarters only two blocks
distant from the newspaper section.
the crowds surged down toward the
Terrace, eager for a glimpse Of the pris-
oner.
MOB AROUND THE JAIL.
At police headquarters they were
met by strong Gordon Of police. which
was drawn up across the pavement on
Pearl street, and admittance was de-
MED TO any but officials authorized to
take part in the examination OF the
prisoner
IN a few minutes the crowd had
grown from tens to hundreds, and these
IN turn quickly swelled to thousands,
until the street was completely blocked
with a mass of humanity It was at
this juncture that some one raised the
cry of Lynch himi" Like a flash the
cry was taken UP and the whole crowd,
as if ignited by the single match thus
applied, re-echoed the cry, Lynch himi
Hang himi" Closer the crowd surged
forward. Denser the thrOng became, as
new arrivals swelled each moment the
swaying multitude.
The situation was becoming critical,
when, suddenly. the big doors were
flung open and a squad of reserves ad-
vanced with solid front. drove the crowd
back from the curb, then across the
street and gradually succeeded in dis
persing them from about the entrance
TO the station. BY this time there were
probably $4,000 people assembled in the
vicinity of Pearl, Seneca and Erie
streets and the Terrace The crowd was
so great that it became necessary to
rope off the entire street in front of
police headquarters, and at late hour
the police We're still patrolling the
streets in the neighborhood in squads
of three or four.
To a reporter District Attorney
Penny gave the substance of CzoIogszs
confession. as follows,
This man has admitted shooting the
president. He says he intended to KILL
that he had been planning to do it for
the last three days, since he came here.
He went into the Temple of Music with
murder in his heart, intending to shoot
to kill. He fixed UP his hand by tieing
a handkerchief around il, and waited
his turn to get near to the president.
He says he had no confederate; that
he was entirely alone in the planning
and execution of this diabolica1 act
He says he is a believer in the the
cries propounded by Emma Goldman,
whom he had heard lecture several
times. He also intimates that he does
not believe in our form of government
and therefore that he deemed it his
duty to get rid of the president"
This in substance is the confession of
Leon CzOlOgsz. who is a German Pole,
and says his home is in the vicinity OF
Cleveland, q. He is Is years old un-
married. and has seven brothers and
two sisters living there. He worked
for time in tn ewire works a [ Newark.
o. He exhibits no sign of remorse. and
aside from his nervousness. acts as if
ne had done what he considered a
praiseworthy instead of a dastardly
act.
If the crowd gathered in the court
outside of the Temple of Music last
evening had believed the first report
that the president had been shot by
his assailant he would probably have
been taken by a mob and instantly put
to death. But the first report was not
credited. The crime suggested was so
far from their thoughts that they could
not believe what they had heard. Those
close at hand and actual witnesses of
the tragedy We're too completely stun