The Coconino weekly sun., 1893-11-02
PREhDERGAsT IN JAIL.


 Thinks His Ncfarious Work Highly
 Popular.
 oHicAGo, Oct 0.-Throughout yes- terday, Prendergast maintained the same stolid demeanor which has char aeterized him all through except on the occasion of his surrender to Sergt Mcdonald, at Desplaines street station He still sticks to the story that he killed the mayor for no other reason than that he was not made corporation counsel and insists that he had an en- tire right to act as he did He is un. doubtedly sincere in both his story and his opinion regarding his crime.
 When taken to the jail Prendergast seemed absolutely indifferent, to his surroundings and situation. A com. plete search was made of his clothing at the jail, but nothing was found ex. cepting one dollar in money.
 While the formality of delivering the prisoner to the jail authorities was in progress, Prendergast occu- pied himself in lacing up his shoes, which had been removed for the pur. pose of searching him. He was then conducted to cell Il. It was occupied at the tinae by Jung Jack Lee, the Chinaman who is under life sentence for the murder of his cousin, and another Chinaman named Tom Long, awaiting trial for larceny. The Chinamen were transferred and Prendergast locked up. Cell No II is an historic cell, being the one which contained Lingg, the an let ha tal la pr. Scudder was also an occupant of the cell when he caused his own death by taking morphine.
 While the cell was being examined Prendergast sat down on a bench in the cage. He frightened up and en- tered into a conversation with Clerk Price. He did not, however, seem in clined to talk about his crime, but asked to see the papers. Parts of the Sunday papers were handed to him, but none of them contained the local news sheets. Preudergast quickly no- ticed this and asked for the account of the murder. This was handed to him and he read down the column in an apparently mechanical manner Then he dropped the paper and then said: ''I did my duty" repeating the sentence several times Then he re- lapsed into silence and would say noth- ing more. After entering the cell he threw himself on the bed, clasping his hands behind his head.
 Clerk Price then sent to the jail kitchen and ordered dinner for Prem dergast, as he had expressed himself to be hungry. The regular jail dinner was brought to him, consisting of soup, roast beef and vegetables Prender- gast ate everything that was given him and then lit cigar and was in- clined to talk.
 "I am very tired" he said, having been bothered so much by so many people to-day. l feel greatly relieved, as great strain is off my mind. l have done my duty, and 1 think the majority of people, when they know this will be on my side. I shall get out clear do not mind the physical confinement at all, and my mind is now clear"
 What was your reason for killing the mayor?" was asked. Prendergast replied emphatically: ''I was to have the position of corporation counsel, but he played false to me, and l only did right in killing him. did not know that had fired three shots at him un- til read it in the papers. l was of the impression that had fired two shot at the mayor. l fired another shot as I went away to prevent anyone follow ing me, as I expected large crowd to follow me-"
 "Did MT. Harrison say anything to you when you met him in the house?"
 Prendergast replied: "No; l drew my revolver and fired. After the first shot Mir. Harrison shouted Murder but did not hear him say anything else. l ran away pretty quickly and caught street car"
 Here Prendergast claimed he was tired and declined to talk any more.