St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1893-12-30

ters and they were heard of no more.
When Guiteau was hung cranks dis
appeared from Washington, and nOto-
riety hunters ceased to attain public
notice with pistol as an adjunct to the
accomplishment of that end. By cranks
l mean men who are not perfect in their
moral and mental make up. but who are
able to distinguish between right and
wrong, with the power of choosing to
do or not to do wrongful act. Since
the trial of PrendergaSt has been In
progress, crankS have arisen all over
the, country, threatening mayors of
cities, chiefs of departments and men or
means. This verdict will operate as
life insurance policy on their safety. A
verdict of acquittal on the ground, OF
insanity would have been the sowing of
dragons teeth, aad these threatened
mayors in ST. Louis and threatened
officials in New York and Washington
would be iii danger of
LOSING THEIR LIVES
unless they resorted 10 the use of boiler
iron breastplates.0 Prendergast was
ably defended by four lawyers, two of
whom were men of marked ability. The
other two were splendid managers. and
gathered together an immense mass of
testimony Oil the question of insanity.
My opinion is that the man is sane. AT
least to such an extent as to distinguish
between right and wrong. One thing
which largely contributed to the verdict
was the great display of memory and
readiness of speech that occurred when
| referred to the circumstances of the
killing of Mayor Harrison, when Prem
dergast turned the pistol from the
breast of the mayor to the face of the
coachman who came upon the scene OF
murder from a side door, which pro-
duced the effect of making the COACH
man retreat, when the defendant then
took deliberate aim at the mayor AMI
fired the third shot into his body. lie
then remarked that he did nothing of
the kind. and that if he were hung that
| would be his murderer, and In that
connection displayed great deal OF
fear Of the consequences. This disclosed
a memory of events tkat occurred at the
homicide inconsistent with insanity"
Dr.. ID. X. Brewer, who was an expert
witness for the defense as to the sanity
of Prendergast, was Interviewed to-
night by an Associated Press reporter.
He said: II have no reason to change
my mind since testified. l think there
never was a clearer case OF insanity.
The verdict Is outrageous and the eXeGu-
tiOn Of PrendergaSt would be nothing
short of judicial murder"
The members of the late mayors
family were apparently expecting such
verdict as was given, and seemed to
derive but little satisfaction from the
fact that the murderer of their father
was
TO DIE FOR HIS CRIME,
feeling that only justice had been done.
Carter II. Harrison Jr., one Of the
proprietorS of the Times, in discussing
the verdict this evening, said:
~ was not surprised when i heard
the verdict, because to my mind there
was never the least doubt as to the
mans legal responsibility when he
committed the act. | watched Prender-
CASTS actions throughout most of the.
trial, and was Impressed by his alert
ness at all times to detect any evidence
for or against Kim. His denial as 10
certain testimony relating to his actions
when he did the actual shooting proved
conclusiVely to my mind that he was
not laboring under any delusions while
firing the shots, as otherwise he would
not have been able to recall what he
did or saw that evening. / also think
that the hanging verdict will have
most beneficial effect upon the vast
army of criminals who seek nutoriety
by deeds of violence or by threatening
men occupying high positions. Prem
dergaSt is dangerous man, and would
be menace to the community were he
again to get free, as he himself boast
ingly remarked when defylng Mr..
Trude, that he would do the deed over
again If he had the opportunity. Person
ally | derive but little satisfaction from
the verdict, but | think it is the best
thing that could have happened for the
community
REFUSED TO TALK.
''PfeaSe ask the gentleman to excuse
me. l would prefer not to see or talk
with anybody tonight" This at 9
O'Clock tonight was the verbal response
of Patrick Eugene John Prendergast,
the condemned murderer, as he sat III
his cell, to a written message to the ef-
feet that the Associated Press would be
pleased to receive and put ON the wires
any statement Prendergast might be
disposed to make. The reporter who
sent in the message followed Night
Joiler Foltz into the cage, and heard
the reply as above. spoken in clear,
calm tone, very much as any man might
decline to be interviewed. Prender-
CAST, when removed from the court
room after the verdict and its death
penalty had been rendered by the jury,
was placed In Cell No. II, which faces
the visitors cage. Just inside the cell
wall, while outside and IN front of the
door was posted the death watch, Bailiff
Moran, of the criminal court. Ii the
prisoner had any conception of the real
significance of this extra watch he gave
no sign. He appeared perfectly at ease,
with not trace of excitement, distress
or anxiety upon his forbiGding features.
1t was now over five hours since he had
heard the Judgment pronounced which
is to place him OH the gallows, and ne
had had ample time to regain his COM
posure. Wien first LED back to the cell
after hearing the death verdict he was
trembling with excitement, and on
entering his cell flung himself defect
edly upon his couch. But in few
minutes he arose and sat in his chair,
gloomy and silent but quiet and eom-
posed. His brother, John Prendergast,
then came to the Jail. Let him come
in. l want to see him. said the con-
demned man. The brothers grasped
hands, and neither spoke for tifne
Then John said:
DON'T LOSE HOPE, GENE
"We'll do all we can for YOU" Later
the assassin's attorneys called and did
what they could to cheer him up. When
supper came he ate his food with ap-
parent relish, and then settled back IN
his chair in silence. His reception Of
the first request for an interview was,
not so courteous as that accorded to the
Associated Press. II won't see report
ers," he snarled, when soon after sup
per he was informed newspaper man
wished to talk with him. 1.-The news
papers never did treat me right" he
said. "rhey always lied about me, and
won't talk to reporters any more"
That ended the matter and he was left
to himself. He talked but little to
Bailiff Moran, who went on after supper
as death watch.
81 suppose" said Moran, "your law
yers have moved for new trial.''
II suppose so, but did not notice."
was Prendergast's response.
After this he remained silent until he
gave his refusal to be interviewed by the
Associated Press reporter. Tomorrow
Prendergast will be given
CELL IN MURDERERS' ROW,
and will have for his nearest neighbors
Painter and Eippins two men uudar