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Buffalo, New York, looks very different today than it did on the afternoon of September 6, 1901. At the time, US President William McKinley was visiting the great Pan-American Exposition in the city. Now he greets a line of people moving slowly past him. Suddenly, gunshots cut through the air. McKinley staggers as two bullets hit him. Someone wants the president dead. A popular and successful politician, President William McKinley had only been in his second term for a year. So now, as he is rushed to the hospital, where he teeters between life and death, everyone is asking the question: "
Who would want to kill him and why?" In 1901, 3 years after a swift victory in the decisive war against Spain, the United States entered a new era of prosperity. The economy is booming as the country's industrialists, oil magnates, and bankers take full advantage of McKinley's fervent support of capitalist forces. But as the gap between rich and poor widens, there is growing discontent with the privileged elite, who often spend more on evening entertainment than the average worker earns in a year. This discontent is eagerly exploited by a group of radical socialists known as anarchists. Although they are few in number, they easily find a sympathetic
by traveling the country and spreading the idea that the US government is corrupt and the ruling classes enrich themselves by exploiting workers. But would they go so far as to try to kill a man who, to them, represents everything that is wrong with American society? The president himself, William McKinley. This is what the vast majority of US citizens now want to know. November 3, 1896, Washington, DC. When McKinley is first elected president, he becomes the 25th holder of the nation's highest office. The new president, now 53 years old, has come a long way. Born in Niles, Ohio, in January 1843, McKinley was the seventh of nine children. His father was a foundryman. In June 1861, McKinley enlisted as a private in the Union Army at the beginning of the
American Civil War. He is sent to West Virginia, where he spends a year fighting small Confederate units. Its commander at the time was Colonel Rutherford B. Hayes, who would himself become President of the United States in 1877. Hayes is naturally impressed by McKinley's abilities and bravery, and soon promotes him to sergeant. Later, after leading a mule team delivering rations under fire at Antietam, he was again promoted, this time to second lieutenant. McKinley continued to serve the Union cause with great distinction and ended the war in September 1865 with the rank of major. Then he entered the law faculty and in 1867 received the right to practice law. He also began to take an active interest in politics, campaigning vigorously
for General Ulysses S. Grant, who was elected president in 1867. In 1877, McKinley, already a successful lawyer, was elected to the House of Representatives, choosing the path of a political career. Meanwhile, in downtown Detroit, Michigan, life is becoming increasingly difficult for 4- year-old Leon Czolgosz, one of seven children in a family of Polish immigrants. The family would move frequently during Leon's early years in an attempt to improve their situation. In 1891, the family was living in Cleveland, Ohio. That same year, McKinley was elected governor of Ohio. A year earlier, he had lost his seat in Congress after introducing the McKinley bill -a deeply unpopular measure imposing tariffs on imported
goods. Meanwhile, Czolgosz had just been rehired as a machinist at a wire and steel plant after being fired for participating in a strike for a higher wage. Around this time, he becomes interested in radical socialism and joins a group opposing capitalism and those he sees as rich and privileged. In particular, Czolgosz feels a passionate hatred for the American system of democratic government. In 1893, McKinley was re-elected governor of Ohio. Three years later, he leaves office and runs for the Republican Party's presidential nomination. After an extremely effective and well- funded campaign, he wins confidently. But shortly after McKinley takes
office, he attracts the sinister attention of Czolgosz. The potential anarchist despises him, considering him a hypocrite who is captive to the country's rich and influential elite. By that time, the United States was already at war with Spain. The war began in April 1898 over Cuba's demand for independence from Spanish rule and the sinking of the American battleship Maine in Havana harbor. Cuban nationalists brought the country to the brink of civil war. This prompts the US to call on Spain to resolve the situation peacefully and then withdraw troops, allowing the Cubans to govern themselves. US declarations of war. The conflict lasts about 100 days, during which the US Navy defeats the Spanish fleet in a series of battles off the coast of Cuba and
the Philippines. In August 1898, Spain finally sued for peace, recognizing Cuba's independence. But at the same time, the country is now firmly within the US sphere of influence. Three years later, McKinley is re-elected president, winning by an even larger margin than during his first term. But when McKinley takes office for the second time, he faces increasing industrial unrest, as more and more workers across the United States stand up for their rights, demanding better pay, working conditions, and a shorter workweek. Many of them bitterly resent the fact that while they are struggling to survive, the country's elite seem to be getting richer and more powerful. Their anger is fueled by a number of newspapers and
magazines known as the "yellow press." Among the most ardent of them is a publication owned, paradoxically, by one of the richest men in the country, William Randolph Hearst. And when on April 10, 1901, the magazine published an editorial with the words: "If bad institutions and bad people can only be eliminated by murder, then murder must be done." To anarchists, this sounds like music. Hearst would later claim that these words were published without his knowledge, but it was too late. For a man like Czolgosz, this editorial is tantamount to a call to arms.
Now, as anarchists become bolder and more outspoken, Czolgosz is determined to leave his mark. May 6, 1901, Cleveland, Ohio. Emma Goldman, considered the high priestess of anarchism, speaks before the Franklin Liberal Club. While she does not entirely condone violence, she refrains from criticizing those who use it to support oppressed workers. Among the attentive listeners is a young man who now lives on a farm a few miles from town. This is Leon Czolgosz. Convinced that the United States is corrupt and that the ruling classes are enriching themselves by exploiting workers, Czolgosz is burning with the desire to do something. He is
fascinated by the assassination of King Umberto I of Italy on July 29, 1900, shot by anarchist Gaetano Bresci. The following month, Breshi is sentenced to life in prison. A year later, he is found dead in his own cell. No one ever found out whether he committed suicide or died at the hands of his guards. "Here," thought Czolgosz, "is a man ready to make the ultimate sacrifice for his beliefs." Now he too wants to do something for the cause, something that will make him a legend of anarchism, like Breschi. But what exactly? And then a big idea comes to him. August 31, 1901, Buffalo, New York. Czolgosz checks into a hotel in the eastern part of the city. He is going to assassinate William McKinley, the President of the United States.
anarchists feel for him. They know that his life will always be in danger. Last year, a dedicated U.S. Secret Service agent uncovered what appeared to be a list of anarchist victims Among those sentenced to death were King Umberto of Italy and President of the United States William McKinley. But the president himself didn't want to hear about it. "Who would want to shoot me?" American people are too smart for this." He had no idea what awaited him in Buffalo. Hotel Czolgoszcz is located near the Pan-American Exposition, a large new exhibition center. And, as he well knows, McKinley is due to arrive here for a visit any moment. Local newspapers kindly provide Czolgosz with comprehensive details of the president's schedule. So for the next two or three days
he wanders around the exhibition, studying the route he knows McKinley will take between the exhibits. He also studies the roads leading to and from the exhibition site. If he succeeds in killing McKinley, he intends to escape in the ensuing chaos. Although Czolgosz has already become a committed anarchist, he has no desire to die for the cause. The vast exposition, spread over 342 acres, is a triumphant celebration of America's industrial, technical, and cultural achievements. Opened on May 1 and running until November 2, the exhibition attracts nearly 8 million visitors not only from the US but also from abroad. And the most important among them would have to be William McKinley, President of the United States.
September 4, 1901, Buffalo, New York. Czolgosz buys a six-shot, nickel-plated, at a hardware store on Main Street. This is the same type of weapon that was used to assassinate King Umberto a year earlier. Later that day, Czolgosz visits the exhibition and reconsiders kill the president. September 5, Buffalo, New York, 9:00 AM. Today is President's Day. This is a national holiday. It is expected that about 50,000 visitors will arrive at the Pan-American Exposition. But one of them, a 28-year-old anarchist named Leon Czolgosz, plotted murder. Now he is trying to get closer to the podium from which McKinley is to deliver his speech.
9:30 am. The President, First Lady, and the rest of their entourage arrive and take their places on the rostrum on the esplanade. McKinley begins to speak. Czolgosz waits for him to finish. Then he plans to rush forward and shoot him. 10:15 am. When McKinley finishes, he is escorted from the stage to the carriage. Seeing his chance, Czolgosz takes a position. Then he stops a few yards away, confused. He looks at the two men, but they are both dressed identically in top hats and black coats.
Czolgosz cannot distinguish between them. While he is trying to figure out who is who, the crew sets off. He lost his chance. The president will spend the rest of the day at the exhibit, viewing highlights such as a reenactment of a battle between early U.S. troops and Native American Indians. He won't leave until after the fireworks show later that evening. For now, he has miraculously escaped danger. But, as Czolgosz well knows, McKinley is due to return to the exhibition for a second visit the next day. September 6, Niagara Falls, noon. President McKinley and his entourage visit Niagara Falls, near Buffalo.
He is due back for the Pan-American Exposition that same afternoon. Meanwhile, Leon Czolgosz is hanging around, waiting for McKinley to return. He is still determined to kill him. 3:30 p.m., Exposition Station, Buffalo. McKinley returns from Niagara. He gets off the train and gets into the carriage. Having studied the president's schedule, Czolgosz knows exactly where he is headed. To avoid alarming the guards, he hid the gun in a white handkerchief wrapped around his right arm like a bandage. 15:50. McKinley arrives at the "Temple of Music." In 5 minutes he should be at the reception that will mark the end of his visit to the
exhibition. 15:55. "Temple of Music", exhibition center. Czolgosz, who has been following McKinley since his arrival at the station, follows him to the " Temple of Music." McKinley and his entourage are so busy posing for photographs that no one notices him. 4:00 p.m. The reception begins, and McKinley begins shaking hands with guests who have lined up to meet him. Czolgosz joins them. 16:07. Czolgosz approaches McKinley and extends both hands to him. Suddenly, before anyone, including the president's bodyguards, realizes what is happening, two shots are fired.
McKinley staggers and falls to the ground, and a shocked guard knocks Czolgosz off his feet. Within minutes, McKinley is put into an electric ambulance and rushed to the exhibition hospital at the Elmwood Avenue gate. Meanwhile, as the news spreads through the exhibition, panic begins. People run to the "Temple of Music", some of them intend to lynch Czolgosz on the spot. But he is quickly taken to the police station. There he freely admits that he intended to assassinate McKinley, saying that he did it because he did not believe that one person should have so much power while others have nothing.
One of the bullets that hit him was found and recovered. But despite all their efforts, the doctors are unable to find a friend. It is ironic that one of the world's first X-ray machines was on display at the exhibition. However, the president's doctors do not dare to use it, fearing unpredictable side effects. Over the next few days, McKinley grew weaker and weaker. Now everyone fears the worst. September 14, Pan-American Exposition Hospital, Buffalo, 2:15 a.m. President McKinley dies after developing gangrene. 13 hours later, Vice President Theodore Roosevelt is sworn in as president. He takes the oath in a mansion on Delaware Avenue in Buffalo.
Confident that McKinley was recovering, he had left Buffalo two days earlier for a hike and vacation in the Adirondack Mountains. There was no way to contact him to tell him the worst had happened. is sent on its journey to Washington. Upon arrival there, huge crowds of mourners come out to watch the slow, majestic procession through the rain-soaked streets. Then it's on to McKinley's hometown of Canton, Ohio, for a final funeral service and burial on September 18. The new president, Theodore Roosevelt, is waiting there for the train to arrive. The news of McKinley's death shocked the whole world. Newspapers in London are published with black borders. The ships of the German navy lower their flags, and in Rome the Pope cancels all audiences.
September 23, City Hall Council Chambers, Buffalo, New York, 10:15 a.m. The trial of Czolgosz begins. He is charged with first- degree murder. During the brief trial, Czolgosz's mental state is questioned. But since he is not speaking in his own defense, the court has to draw its own conclusions. September 24, 4:25 p.m. Faced with overwhelming evidence of Czolgosz's guilt, as well as his own confession to the president's assassination, the jury finds him guilty of first- degree murder. They also find him sane. September 26, 2:00 p.m. Czolgosz is brought back to court for sentencing. When asked if he wanted to say anything before the verdict, he stated that he acted entirely independently.
No one else was involved. In particular, he acquits Emma Goldman, who was arrested and held for alleged complicity in the conspiracy to assassinate McKinley. When he finishes, Czolgosz is sentenced to death for what presiding judge Truman K. White describes as a crime that shocked and outraged the moral sensibilities of the civilized world. September 27, Auburn State Prison, 3:05 a.m. Czolgosz arrives by train after a 5- hour journey from Buffalo. An angry crowd awaits him , but a phalanx of guards protects him from attack. The man who killed the president only has a month left to live. Oct. 29, The guards hold Leon Czolgosz tightly by the hands and lead him to the execution chamber. He is strapped to the electric chair
. It is mounted on a rubber-covered platform. As the final adjustments are being made Czolgosz suddenly exclaims, "I have no regrets. I did it for the workers. "The only thing I regret is not being able to see my father." Then he falls silent. 7:12 am. The signal has been given. The switch is pressed, and 1,700 volts run through Czolgosz for a full 45 seconds. He slumps in his chair. Then, just in case, the power is turned on again. 7:14 a.m., Czolgosz was pronounced dead.
He is soon buried in the prison cemetery. The following month, the Pan-American Exposition closes, and all the buildings, including the Temple of Music, are demolished. William McKinley was the third U.S. president to be assassinated in office, the first being Abraham Lincoln, who was shot on April 14, 1865, while visiting Ford's Theater in Washington. The second was James Garfield, shot on July 2, 1881, at a train station in Washington, D.C., as he waited to depart on vacation. After McKinley's assassination, the US Congress demands that the president's security be strengthened. From now on, the president will be constantly guarded by Secret Service officers. But the fact is that no matter how popular or well-protected a US president may be,
history shows that there is always a risk that someone who wishes him harm will be able to slip through.
