The Lewiston teller. (Lewiston, Idaho) 1900-1905, 1901-09-26
ClOlGDSl TRIAL STARTED
PLEAD GUILTY OF THE ACT.

xkGAO 0U4Ax VI lie ALL.
Court Ordered the Plea ChangeA to
"Not Guilty"-Trial In Supreme
Court Of Erie County-Prisoner
Was Well observation-disclosures for
Defense Explained Position.
Buffalo, Sept. 24.-Leon F. Czolgosx
was placed on trial Monday for the MUIR
der Of President Mckinley on September
g. The trial was in the supreme court Of
Erie county, Judge Truman O. White pre-
siding. The trial began at 10 o'clock, but
long before that hour the streets in the
vicinity Of the city hall were the object
i've point of many curious persons. The
various entrances to the great building,
with the exception Of that on Franklin
street, were closed and guarded. Squads
of policemen were stationed on every
landing and in 4 double lire far inside
the place Of entrance toy keep back the
crowds, while in station not far away
reserves were ready to reinforce the de-
tail on duty should the feelings Of the
people become aroused to the extent Of
rioting. Mounted officers paced slowly
around every side Of the structure, and
NO one was allowed to stand ON the side
walk for a moment, 80 that at no time
was the crowd large.
No one outside Of the building saw the
prisoner as he was taken from his cell to
the courtroom. His guardians made use
Of the tunnel of sobs," under the street
to the city hall, and Czolgosz was brought
into the courtroom only few moments
before the hour set for the opening Of his
trial. No person was admitted to the
building without pass signed by the
chief Of police, and it was necessary to
show this to every policeman on every
landing and in every corridor.
The officer at the door Of the court
room was especially vigilant, and not only
examined the passes but scrutinized the
bearers critically before admitting them
to the room. The interior Of the city hall,
as well as the outside, still bore the
somber draperies Of mourning, and quiet
was enforced az BETTING the occasion.
Counsel for Cxolgosz, former Supreme
Court Justice Loren L. Lewis, koDert e.
Titus and Carleton E. LAdd, saw him
again before the time for the opening OF
the court, but he had no more to say
to them than on previous occasions when
they had visited him. In view of the
meagerness of the opportunity for de-
Tense, and the fact that the prisoner re-
fuses absolutely to aid them, it is not inn
probable that the entire proceedings may
be completed within two days.
'sThe mental condition of the assassin
will absolutely be the only defense to be
offered" are the words of Judge Titus,
and there is no little expectation that the
counsel will publicly abandon the case
and merely represent Czolgosz during the
trial. As a result Of the examination by
two alienists-Dr. Carlos T. Mcdonald
and Dr.. Allan Mclean Hamilton Of New
York city-the question Of insanity is
eliminated from the subjects on which
the defense can rely for support.
He sat down behind mis- counsel, with
/
in his rear. District Attorney Penny at
once began the reading Of the indictment.
He spoke to Czolgosz in low voice-in
fact so low, that when the prisoner was
asked to plead he seemed not to under.
stand what had been said.
Justice White asked him: "What did
you sayi"
/ There was a moments hesitation. Then
the prisoners lips moved as If to make Z
reply, but before he could do so his junior
counsel, Mr.. Lewis, arose to speak, moi
having seen the prisoners motion. Justics
White, however, insisted that Czolgos,
should speak, and the prisoner said:
81 did not hear what he said"
District Attorney Penny then read tn.
indictment again in louder voice, and
to the demand for a reply the prisoner
! who was standing at the time, said, in I
, very low voice: Guilty"
This plea was, however, not permittet
to stand under the law, and plea of mo-
guilty" was at once ordered by the court
Mr.. Titus, counsel for the defense, the,
arose and stated to the court the fact
already known as to his connection witt
] the case. He explained that the position
Of himself and his associates, Judge Levi
and Mr.. Ladd, was q peculiar one, ant
consisted mainly in making sure that al
the forms of law and justice were oh
served in the prosecution.
/ Justice White in reply compliments
| the counsel for tho slefensp and aaiA fha
the prisoner could have no better counsel