Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1901-09-11
CZOLGOSZ CONFESsES.
The Assassin Tells of His De-
sire to XIII the President.

The Assassin Tells of His De-
sire to Kill the President.
A Buffalo dispatch to the Chicago
Daily Mail gives the following as the
signed statement that the police got
from President McKinley's wouldbe
assassin:
II was born in Detroit nearly 20 years
ago. My parents were Russian Poles
They came here AZ years ago. I got my
education in the public schools Of De-
troit and then went to Cleveland, where
got work. In Cleveland read books
on socialism, and met great many So
cialistS. ! was pretty well known as
socialist in the West. After being in
Cleveland for several years went to
Chicago, where I remained seven
months, after which went to Newburg
on the outskirts of Cleveland, and wek
to work in the Newburg wire mills. =
During the last five years I have
had as friends anarchists in Chicago,
Cleveland, Detroit and in more western
cities, and suppose I became more or
less bitter. Yes, I know was bitter. I
never had much luck at anything and
this preyed upon me. 1t made me mo-
rose and envious. but what started the
craze to kill was lecture heard some
little time ago by Emma Goldman. She
was in Cleveland and and other anar-
chists went to hear her. She set me on
fire.
"Her doctrine that all rulers should
be exterminated was what set me to
thinking so that my head nearly split
with the pain. Miss Goldman's words
went right through me, and wnen left
the lecture I had made up my mind
that I would do something heroic for
the cause loved.
Eight days ago, while was in Chi
cago, I read in Chicago newspaper of
President McKinley's visit to the Pan
American exposition. That day I
bought ticket for Buffalo and got here
with a determination to do something,
but I did not know just what. I
thought Of shooting the president, but I
had not formed a plan.
IT went to live at 1,07S Broadway,
which Is a saloon and a hotel John
Nowak. a Pole, a sort of politician, who
has led his people here for years, owns
1t. told Nowak that I came to see the
fair. He knew nothing about what was
setting me crazy. went to the exposi-
ton grounds couple Of times day.
mot until Tuesday morning did the
resolution to shoot the president take
hold of me. 1t was in my heart; there
was no escape for me. I could not have
conquered it had my life been at stake.
There were thousands Of people in town
on Tuesday heard it was Presidents
Day. All these people seemed bowling
to the great ruler. made up my mind
to kill that ruler. I bought 32-calibre
revolver and loaded it.
"On Tuesday night went to the fair
grounds and was near the railroad gate
when the presidential party arrived. I
tried to get near him, but the police
forced me back. They forced every
body back, so that the great ruler could
pass. I was close to the president when
he got into the grounds, but was
afraid to attempt the assassination
because there was so many men in the
bodyguard that watched him. / was
not afraid of them or that would get
hurt, but afraid I might be seized and
that my chance would be gone forever.
"Well, he went away that time and I
went home. On Wednesday I went to
the grounds and stood right near the
president, right under him, near the
stand from which he spoke.
II thought half dozen times of
shooting him while he was speaking,
but could not get close enough. was
crowd was always jostling. and I was
afraid lest my aim fail I waited until
Thursday and the president got into his
carriage again. and a lot of men were
about him and formed a Gordon that
could not get through. ! was tossed
about the crowd and my spirits were
getting pretty low. I was almost hope
less that night as I went home.
Yesterday morning I went again to
the exposition grounds. Emma Gold
mans speech was still burning me up.
I waited near the central entrance for
the president. who was to board the
special train from that gate, but the
police allowed nobody but the presi-
dents party to pass where the train
waited. So stayed at the grounds all
day waiting.
During yesterday I first thought of
hiding my pistol under my handker-
chief. I was afraid if I had to draw it
from my pockets I would be seen and
seized by the guards. I got to the Tenn
pie Of Music the first one. and waited
at the spot where the reception was to
be held.
Then he came. the president-the ru-
ler-and ] got in line and trembed un-
I'll l got right up to him, and then l
shot him twice through my white hand
kerchlef. / would have fired more, but
/ was stunned by blow in the face
a frightful blow that knocked me down
and then everybody jumped on me. I
thought would be killed and was sur
prised the way they treated me-"
Czolgosc ended his story in utter ex-
haustion. When he had about conclud-
ed he was asked:
Did you really mean to kill the pres
ident?"
Il did" was the cold-blooded reply
What was your motive? What good
could it do?"
Il am an anarchist. I am disciple
of Emma Goldman. Her words set me
on fire." he replied, with not the slight
est tremor.