*SEPTEMBER 6TH, 1901


In the early morning of September 6, 1901, Mr. and Mrs.McKinley with the rest of the cavalcade traveled by train to Niagara Falls for the day. They planned to return to Buffalo in the middle of afternoon, about 3PM or thereabouts. McKinley was due at the Temple of Music to greet well-wishers at 4PM. For security reasons, McKinley's secretary, George Cortelyou thought the trip to Niagara would be more than enough for one day. McKinley had already visited the Exposition, there was no need to return. Besides Cortelyou knew there was no chance the president could shake a fraction of the hands that were going to be there. McKinley's answer to his secretary was simple, "Well, they'll know I tried, anyhow." That statement summed up a great deal about our 25th President.

As it turned out, McKinley did try to shake as many hands as possible even against his advisors' pleas. The Temple of Music was a beautiful auditorium which housed a large stage and a gigantic organ. The meeting between the President and his public would take place on the stage with the seating area empty. The whole process was almost perfect. People would be herded through two large doors on the right side of the stage. They would pass a gauntlet of soldiers, marines, police, detectives, and Secret Service, a total of about eighty guards. There would be enough room to see each person before they reached the President. More soldiers were stationed outside and controlled the vast crowd, which has been waiting to see McKinley.

However, even with the leave-nothing-to-error security, three mistakes were to be made. Security chief Foster usually took the spot to McKinley's left where he could see every face approach. But Milburn wanted to stand there so he could inform the President if any high society people came up. Foster moved to a position slightly behind Milburn. Secondly, almost too many soldiers packed in tightly on both sides and were not used to narrow spaces. Lastly, this day, they did not check every person to make sure their hands were empty. The temperature was in the 80s again and many people were very hot and sweating waiting outside. Most people carried handkerchiefs to wiped their hands and faces. The role of the handkerchief would be very important.

The exact movements of Czolgosz in the early morning and early afternoon of the 6th are lost to history. Some say he traveled to Niagara after McKinley but then returned early once he realized that he could not get a clear shot out in the open. Other reports say he just went to the grounds and waited until McKinley showed up at the Temple of Music to guarantee a early position in line. Either way, Czolgosz was in a good close spot to greet McKinley. Waiting behind Czolgosz was a recently laid off, six-foot-six black waiter named James Parker. He'd had been waiting to see the president for along time. He was a friendly giant who tried to make conversation with the quiet, focused Czolgosz. Czolgosz made no effort and Foster then ignored him. It was nearing 4pm.

McKinley was in high spirits after he returned to the Exposition. McKinley had dropped of Mrs. McKinley at Milburn's house and wished her a last good-bye. At 4pm, McKinley was in place with Milburn at his left and the nervous Cortelyou at his right. The doors opened and the first people started to stream towards President McKinley. McKinley shook with his right hand and politely moved the people along with his left. He usually just smiled or said one or two brief words. After five minutes, Cortelyou told Captain Babcock of the Exposition Marshals to hurry the line and then close the doors in five minutes. Babcock followed the orders.
Both Czolgosz and Foster were among the final group to enter the Temple of Music. Czolgosz had wrapped his right hand in a handkerchief like a bandage and held it as if it were in a sling. His revolver was hidden underneath. A short, Italian man with a thick mustache caught the eye of Foster as suspicious. Foster quicky grabbed the man, he was shocked, but harmless. Foster let him on. This incident distracted Foster and the other guards, by the time Czolgosz's turn was up. Czolgosz was calm and slowly raised his left hand to shake McKinley's. McKinley reached out for Czolgosz's hand.
**

The right hand of Czolgosz quickly flew up, aimed at his long sought target. Two rounds were fired. The first nicked off a button on McKinley's vest, the second tore into the President's stomach. A white puff of smoke drifted into the air between the anarchist and the capitalist leader. The handkerchief burst into flames, falling to the floor. Shouts rang out, Private O'Brien reacted first, diving at Czolgosz. O'Brien struck the same time Parker, the next in line did. Parker pummeled Czolgosz in the face with his huge fist. The double blow from Parker and O'Brien sent the assassin towards the hard wood floor. McKinley fell backwards, blood gushing onto his white shirt and vest. Detective Geary caught the President and both Milburn and Cortelyou rushed to his aid. At that moment pandemonium broke out. All the soldiers rushed at Czolgosz on the floor. Another private wrestled the revolver away from Czolgosz while a melee ensued. Most blows struck other soldiers in the large pile over the Anarchist. Finally, Foster picked up Czolgosz by the neck and punched him in the face, knocking him to the floor. Czolgosz was already a bloody mess.

McKinley was laid on the ground and whispered for Cortelyou. He told him, "Be careful about my wife-do not tell her." As McKinley fought the pain, he noticed the beating his men were giving his attacker. The reports vary slightly but he murmured either, "Go easy on him boys," or "Don't let them hurt him!" Whatever the exact words, they saved Czolgosz's life. Foster halted his assault and the President's health was given priority.

The news spread quickly across the Exposition. The whole event shut down. Word spread quickly across the Expo, the city, the state, the country, the world. A mob of men and women quickly charged the Temple of Music. They crowded outside shouting death threats to the unknown assassin. The air rumbled, they banged on the walls, the doors, crying to get at Czolgosz. The army fixed bayonets and threatened the mob back. An electric ambulance reached the Temple first and rushed the wounded McKinley to the Exposition Hospital. All area doctors were called for. Later a horse carriage arrived for Czolgosz. The mob was still in full force, howling for revenge. The guards tossed Czolgosz into the carriage and the driver whipped the horses to push through the crowd. The mob tried to flip the wagon to get to Czolgosz. The police and army beat and whipped the rioters. The carriage barely made it to the prison. Another mob quickly formed outside. Now the fight for McKinley's life began.
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