Akron daily Democrat. [volume] (Akron, Ohio) 1892-1902, 1901-10-29

MOUND MARKS THE PLACE OF I
THING TO INDICATE THAT CZOL
Auburn, N. Y, Oct. 29.-(Spl.) Leon
Il. CzOlgosZ, alias Fred Nieman, was
successfully electrocuted at Auburn
prison this morning. He was pro-
nounced dead at 7:16:15 a. m.
With the purely animal courage that
had sustained him and the innate cow
ard within him struggling to his lips,
the youthful murderer, hated by the
nation and the world at large, paid the
penalty for his crime.
He took the chair at 7:15 and in less
time than 1t takes to tell it, the deadly
current had passed through his body,
rubbing out his miserable existence
with merciful and unerring swiftness.
Seated in the chair, with the fatal
current about to be applied, Czolgosz,
facing the witnesses said:
II shot the President because L
thought IT, would benefit the good
working people. am not sorry for
my crime"
During this time the attendants We're
busy strapping him to the chair. Ills
last words were: Il am heartily sorry
] did not see my father"
This was said after the strap had
been drawn across his face, yet his
words were heard distinctly by all the
witnesses in the room. He went to
his death unsupported by the COM
ho hn ho1 a
peace with his God.
For the first time in the history of
the prison a condemned man marched
to the fatal chair unaccompanied by a
Spiritual adviser. Spiritual aid had
been offered him. but he scOrned all
entreaties. He wanted no one to pray
for his soul.
Czolgosz was awakened from a
sound sleep at $50 and the death war.
rant read. He listened without emo
tion and after eating sparingly of
breakfast, prepared for the death
chair. He came in without tremor
and took his place. saying nothing be-
yond the remarks quoted.
It was 7:05-five minutes after the
time designated by Warden Mead for
the execution when he called upon
those assembled in his Office to pre-
pare to go to the death chamber They
gathered in semi-circle while one of
the clerks called the roll of those
present. The witnesses were lined up
by two's as their names were called,
They were: State Treasurer Jaeckel,
IL. II. Bender, A. w. Cole of the
State Railroad Commission, Charles
II. Skinner, State Superintendent of
Public Instruction.
The doctors and others were quick
ly in line and at 7:O6 Warden Mead
gave the signal for the start to the
death chamber, with Warden Mead
and Superintendent Collins in the lead
the lite procession marched down
the stairway leading to the south wing
of the prison and into the corridor
The thousand convicts We're not turn
ed out until after the assassin had
been successfully launched into eter-
nity AS the witnesses passed down
the corridor not sound was heard
: from the. convicts, who, standing in
their cell doors, watched the little pro
cession as it fled past.
The guards stationed along the cor.
ridors respectfully saluted the little
party as it passed. 1t took but min
ute to reach the death chamber. The
door opened and the party passed
through an ante chamber, formerly
used as detention house into the
corridor leading to the execution cham
ber. AS the witnesses filed past
through the corridor they could glance
through the grating at the left at the
tops Of the condemned mems cells
but the occupants could not be seen
Czolgosz In his cell knew that his
time on earth was limited. He heard
the tread Of the witnesses and will
beating heart awaited the final sum
mons. The other murderers crouchet
in their cells and waited In fearful
expectancy for the appearance of tn,
guards.
The door of the execution chambel
was opened and as the witnesses filet
! slowly In they took seats in the chairs
ranged along the sides and back o.
the room The chamber Of death wa.