New-York tribune., 1893-12-30
PRENDERGAST GUILTY.
THE ASSASSIN'S PUNISHMENT FINED At
DEATH.
VERDICT REACHED AFTER LITTLE MORE THAN
AN HOURS DELBERATIoN-ALL THE

AN HOURS DELIBERATIoN-ALL THE
MURDERER's BRAvADo vANIsHEs.
Chicago. Dec 2s-Unless the law shall interfere
Patrick Eugene Joseph Prendergast. the mur-
derer of Carter Henry Harrison, will die on the
gallows The jury this afternoon adjudged him
guilty and the death watch tonight sits out
side his cell in the county jail. The verdict OF the
jury was agreed upon after deliberation OF
little over an hour
The morning Of the last day Of the trial was
allotted to Alfred S. Trude, who pleaded eloquenty
to convince the twelve men before him that the
man knew he was committing crime when no
took the life of the Mayor. Judge Brentano fol-
lowed with instructions to the jury, long but
explicit The jury retired at l:25 p. m Prender-
CAST sat sullen and silent through this last scene
but one in the trial While the judge was read
ing his carefully prepared instructions, the
prisoners face betrayed the keenest anxiety. Ills
open mouth twitched nervously and he turned
his ill-shaped head at every sound coming from
the entrance to the crowded courtroom after the
Jury had retired. He fearful OF a speedy
agreement. as Re realized that it would be sig
niicant Of guilty" After while he was taken
back to his cell in the Jail. Neither Prendergasts
mother nor brother was in the courtroom during
the closing scene.
Nobody was expecting the return OF the jury
for a few hours. Suddenly, at 2:2S o'clock
in the midst of general conversation ana
laughter. came a baffs shrill voice. calling:
Take seats now, gentlemen the meaning Oh
the order was we'll understood. 1t had the erect
of an electric shock. That means guilty
sure; IT'S a hanging were the words whicn
passed from mouth TO mouth. Ine puzz OK
conversation died away. Instead. a solemn stii-
ness pervaded the chamber. From the door
came a procession of stern-faced men. Judge
Brentano led the way, followed by the jury anu
oh, 90. n an
before been dispatched across the Bridge OK
Sighs" to the jail with orders to bring IN 'ne
prisoner Walking with guards In front OK
him and guards behind him, Prendergast aa.
vanced slowly to his seat. Jail clerk Ben
Price who accompanied the assassin urged MN
TO brace up and keep your mouth smut frem-
dergast obeyed the latter Injunction only. MS
bravado and vanity had fled The mask nao
been torn from his face by fear OF an ADVERSE
verdict and he stood before the Court and Jury
naturaly-a crnging coward. afraid to near ms
doom pronounced He dropped into his seat
against the wall and guards stood over MIN:
His protrudng lower jaw became limp, so that
his lips hung wide apart in imbecile FASHION:
paor spread his face. and he stared
vacanty in front of him. He sat there frieno-
less and execrated
Brentano saying: a..
Have you agreed upon a verdict gentlemen!
1--WE have. Your Honor replied Foreman J..
Sutter handing the fatal document to the Juases
who transmitted 1t to the CLERK Inat onicer
quietly opened II in the midst or GREATNESS
suspense. and read follows:
we the jury, find the defendant. Patrick
Eugene Prendergast. guilty of murder in the
manner and form charged in the indlctnent,
and we fix his punishment at death.
When the clerk uttered the word deatn
Prendergast crossed his breast with his right
hand Not a word escaped his lips. The guards
took hold of the trembling prisoner and were
hurrying him back the jail, when the votce
of Judge Brentano heard again.
Bring the prisoner back" he commanded ana
the condemned creature was led back TO his
seat The polling Of the jury had not been
complied with. II soon over. each juror
answering Yes to the question Was ana -
this now. your verdict
After the removal of the prisoner Mr. WADE
entered a formal motion for new trial, whicn
will be argued next week. Then the crowo
quietly dispersed.
shortly after Prendergast had arrived at the
iail he was called on by his brother John. The
meeting between the brothers was painful. They
shook hands and neither spoke for several
minutes Then John said:
Don't lose hope, Gene. we'll DO all We can
for you"
The assassin bowed his head but made no
reply Later he talked To his brother for some
time During the evening Messrs. Mctioorty.
Essex and Heron called upon their client ana
talked 10 him in manner calculated TO cheer
him up. but their efforts do not appear 10 nave
the desired effect. The assassin refused 70 see