Electric Chair - Execution Simulation

NOTICE:  THIS VIDEO RECREATES WHAT HAPPENED WHEN PRESIDENTIAL ASSASSIN, LEON CZOLGOSZ, WAS EXECUTED FOR HIS CRIMES.  IT IS NOT EASY TO WATCH, EVEN THOUGH IT IS A SIMULATION.  PROCEED WITH CAUTION.

William McKinley was president of the United States when he visited the Pan American Exhibition in Buffalo during September of 1901. Leon Czolgosz had also traveled to Buffalo, but his purpose was to assassinate McKinley.

Successful in his endeavor, Czolgosz was quickly sentenced to death. He was executed at Auburn Prison, the following month, by means of an electric chair.

Thomas Edison's company filmed a recreation of the execution, selling copies of the film for $24. The Library of Congress now has the film which also depicts Auburn Prison on the morning of October 29, 1901 - the actual day of the execution.

Credits

Film simulating the execution of Presidential assassin, Leon Czolgosz - produced by the T.A. Edison Company.

Video online, courtesy Library of Congress.