Evening star., 1901-09-07
It W es My Crime," Declares the
Presidents Assassin.
CONFRONTED BY FORMER ASSOCIATE
Identity and Antecedents OF
CzoIgosz Being Learned.
LIVED IN AND

BUFFALO, September 7.-Walter Nowak,
the New York cigar maker. formerly Of
Cleveland, was taken into the room where
Czo1gosz was being examined. After glanc-
ing at the prisoner he said he knew him In
Cleveland two years ago. At that time No
wax was reporter on a foreign news
paper. and in common with him, number
of his countrymen formed a social organi-
cation that later developed into a social
istic club. and he (Nowak) withdrew frcm
1t. He states that he remembers some of
the radical resolutions adopted by the club
and brought to him for use in his paper.
He had always found it necessary to alter
them materially to make them proper ma
terial for publication He said that Czol-
gosz was without sufficient intelligence to
organize such crime as the prisoner had
been guilty of.
Evidently Proud Of His Crime.
Nowak said, after coming from the room
where the conference was held that Czol-
gosz advanced toward him with extended
hand
Nowak looked at the prisoner disdainfully
and refused to accept the proffered hand,
saying: ''scoundrel. Why did you commit
this terrible crime? Who originated this
devilish plot? 1t was not YOU"
II did," replied Czolgosz II did. origi-
mated the plan. 1t was my plan. It was
my crime."
Mans Former Record.
Nowak says he knows Czolgosz well and
corroborates the statement that Czolgosz
was inspired to his cowardly act by Emma
Goldman. -
II knew Czolgosz in Cleveland" said
Nowak. 'sHe belonged to several secret So
cieties, and one of them was anarchistic.
think the idea Of assassination had been
burning in Czolgosz's mind for some time,
as that sort Of business is what is taught
III the society to which he belongs He
is well known in Cleveland. Chicago and
other western cities, where he has talked
his doctrine"
Mr.. Nowak, who is a short plump man,
with an iron gray moustache and face of
intelligence, has been here for some time
seeing the exposition. He has been stay
ing on Broadway near Fillmore avenue,
which Is not far from where Czolgosz was
boarding, but declares he has not seen him
during his visit here.
Left Cleveland Sixty Days Ago.
' CLEVELAND, September 7.-Information
concerning the Identity Of Czolgosz, the
would-be assassin develops that he Is the
son OF Paul Czolgosz, who, it Is said, now
lives at 3O6 Fleet street, this city Other
members Of the family are John, who lives
at home with his father and stepmother;
Mike, soldier now serving in the Philip
pines; Vladioian. who is on his fathers
farm, located on the Chagrin Falls sub
urban line, and Jacob, Of Marceiline avenue.
The family is Polish and are evidently
very poor, the father having left home Sat-
urday morning. looking for employment
Inc stepmother cannot speak English, but
gave out the following interview through
nj int H.
= Leon left home about sixty days ago. We
heard from him few weeks ago. He was
then In Indiana and wrote to us that he
was was going away, stating that in all proba-
bility We would not see him again" i7.i =
The stepmother failed to recollect. the
name of the city from which the letter was
received, but states that 1t was from some
place in Indiana. The family had not heard
from him since.
Infldel and Socialist.
Several years ago Czolgosz was employed
In a Newburg mill. Among his fellow work.
men there he was known as Fred Neiman
He is member of Forest City Castle, No.
%. Of the Golden Eagle. His former asso-
ciates in the mill describe him as German
Pole of about twenty-six years OF age. five
feet seven inches in height, with light COM
plexion and brown hair. They say that he
was a queer acting man, but was known to
ldSS d HOSL NlOlenL temper. IL Is SAID tnat
the would-be assassin is a strong infidel
and a red-hot socialist. He was last seen
around NeWburg during the past spring.
At that time he was living on a farm with
his father near Warrensvil1e, Ohio.
John Climber, an empioye Of the Newburg
wire mill, where Czolgosz formerly worked
and who Is also a member Of the Golden
Eagle Lodge, received a letter from the
would-be assassin in July last. dated West
Seneca, N. Y. He sent money for lodge
dues and stated that he was working there
and would probably remain in the place
for some time. 1t Is said this letter was
written in red ink. The police will probably
get possession Of the communication this
afternoon.
Regarded Leon as Partly Demented.
The stepmother denies that Leon was a
disciple Of Emma Goldman. or in any way
interested In her doctrines. She said he
was not interested in such matters and
scarcely Intelligent enough to understand
them. They had always considered the
boy partially demented. Up to three years
ago he had worked at the Cleveland roll
ing mill, but had to quit on account of
poor health. Since that time he has been
idle. While living on the farm, near War
rensville, his father had not asked Leon to
work, having always considered him too
weak for manual labor. Regarding the
shooting Of the President, Mrs. Czolgosz
said:
II can't believe that Leon Is the one.
He was such timid boy, so afraid of
everything. Why, he was the biggest
coward you ever saw In your life"
Other DeniaIs of Mother.
She also emphatically disclaims that the
boy ever displayed any anarchistic ten
denotes whatever. He was an admirer of
his brother. the Philippine soldier, and liked
his country, never showing the least sign
of discomfort.
Mrs. Czolgosz Is an intelligent looking
woman, but failed to show any decided
emotion when confronted with the account
Of Icons horrible crime. The home Is neat
and cleanly, but plain.
Paul Czoigosz, the father, moved into
Cleveland two weeks ago to secure employ
ment. He has not yet heard of his sons
crime.
Two uncles also live In Cleveland. one
Of them residing at II Hosmer street.
Born in Michigan.
DETROIT. Mich, September IA special
to the News from Alpena, Mich, says:
Leon Czolgosz was born in AIpena about
1881. The family left here nine years ago
and 1t is supposed they went to Cleveland
His brother Frank now lives. at Metz.
prac TvIa