President William McKinley and Leon Colgolsz.

On September 6th, 1901, President William McKinley walked along the lines of the well-wishers as the Pan American Exposition as Buffalo, N.Y.  Fifty secret service agents and soldiers roamed the area. A man in the crowd had his hand wrapped in a large white handkerchief, but underneath it was a 32 caliber revolver.  A secret service agent lay his hand on the man's shoulder, who's name was Leon Colgolsz, and suggested that he go to the first aid station.  "After I meet the President.  I've been waiting a long time." was Leon's reply, He approached the President and said: "Please excuse the left hand, Mr. President."  McKinley shook his hand and moved on, greeting others in the crowd, and Leon lunged for the President, and as a secret service agent tried to grab him, Leon shot twice in rapid succession.  "I done my duty!" Leon cried out, and the President died eight days later. 

Leon Colgolsz was a twenty-eight year old anarchist. (His last name is pronounced Chol-gots.) He didn't believe in marriage, voting, governments, or religion. He had written in confession that McKinley had been around the country proclaiming prosperity when there was no prosperity to be had for a working man.  McKinley's assassination is said to have marked the end of one era in National Politics, and the beginning of a new one.