The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1901-09-23

Buffalo, Sept, 23.-Leon F. Czolgosz was
placed on trial to-day for the murder of
President Mckinley on Sept. 6. The trial
was in the supreme court of Erie county,
Judge Truman c. White presiding. The
trial began at 10 O'Clock but long before
that hour the streets in the vicinity of the
city hall were the objective of many
curious persons eager to take chances on
being admitted to the court room, even
though they knew but $50 seats were.
available. The various entrances to the
great building. with the exception of that
on Franklin street. were closed and
guarded. Policemen were everywhere and
rigid discipline was the order Of the
day.
Squads of blue coated men were sta
toned on every landing, and in a double
line far outside the place Of entrance to
keep back the crowds, while in station
not far away reserves were ready to re-
inforce the detail on duty should the feel
ings of the people become aroused to the
extent of rioting.
Taken From His Cell.
The prisoner was taken from his cell to
the court room through the tunnel of
sobs" under the street from the jail to
the city hall and was brought into the
court room only few moments before the
| hour set for the opening of the trial. No
person was admitted to the building with
out a 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 yigilant and not only
| examined the passes but scrutinized the
bearers critically before admitting them
to the room. The interior of the city
hall, as we'll as the outside, still bore
the draperies of mourning and quiet was
enforced as bef1tting the occasion.
The counsel for Czolgosz, Former Su-
preme Court Justices Loren L. Lewis and
Robert G.. Titus and Carlton E. Ladd, saw
him again this morning before the time
for the opening of the court. but he had
no more to say to them than on the pre-
vious occasions.
May Last but Two Days.
In view of the fact that the prisoner re-
fuses to aid his attorneys. it is not improb-
able that the entire proceedings may be
completed within two days.
1.-The mental condition of the assassin
will absolutely be the only defense to be
offered" are the words Of Judge Titus, and
there is little expectation they will pub
Iicly abandon the case to-day or to-mor-
row and merely represent Czolgosz for
maIly during the trial. AS result of the
examination of two alienists, DR.. Carlos
D. Mcdonald and DR.. Allan Mclean Ham
i1ton of New York city. the question of in
sanity is eliminated from the subjects on
which the defense can rely for support.
The Courtroom.
Part III. of the supreme court of Erie
county is small room, on the south side
on the second floor Of the city hall. 1t is
lighted only at the south end by latticed
windows, and here the justices bench and
witness stand is placed. On the right Of
the room are the jurymen's seats, and
they have an unobstructed view OF the en-
tire room There is no railing in front
of the jurymen, and the chairs are placed
on platform some six inches above the
floor. The room has high ceiling studded,
and drab walls which are scanned with
cracks. The enclosure for the bench and
bar occupies over one-half Of the floor
space, while the remainder Is given over
to seats for the general public. Not over
13O of the latter could be accommodated,
and these seats to-day were mainly occu-
pied by the men summoned to serve upon
the jury.
Czolgosz, with his counsel. occupied seats
directly in front OF the justices bench.
Deputy sheriffs with their slaves Of ONCE
were placed at various points in the room
and quiet was enforced upon all. The
spectators Eeata we're filed very slowly,