Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1893-12-21

CHICAGO, ILL.,, Dec. 14.-In the Prender-
gast trial Desk Sergeant Barber of the
Desplaines street station, told the story of
prendergast's giving himself up, and said
that at that time the prisoner gave as
reason for his act that the mayor had de-
ceived him; that he had promised to give
him the position of corporation counsel,
and that he had not kept his word.
Miss Sophia Harrison was the next wit
ness. Her testimony was given with
great effort. MIR. Trade interrogated her
as briefly as possible, in order to obtain
from her the story of the killing of her
father so far as she could relate the cir
cnmstances from personal knowledge.
Several times during her testimony Miss
Harrison faltered and was ON the verge of
breakdown, but rallying with her
courage, she persevered through the ordeal.
Miss Harrison's evidence was given the
closest attention, and, at the conclusion,
the defence declined to crossexamine her.
Police Sergeant Mcdonald and Operator
Walsh of the Desplaines street station. told
the story of the prisoners arrival there
and his confession that he had killed the
mayor. William j. Chalmers testified to
hearing the shots and rushing into the
Harrison residence. II found the deceased
lying at full length on his back. Chalmers
this is DEATH hedying man said, I'm shot
over the heart When | declared that he
his old-time vigor, rs If annoyed because
disputed his words i tell you | am
dying. asked him to tell who shot him
and with a paroxysm Of pain he said:
Don't make me talk, Pm dying"
MIR. Trude drew from the witness the
fact that at the coroners inquest Prender-
gast had informed one of the servants that
he was the man she let in, also adding: II
did it,"
"Prendergast said the same thing yester-
day" retorted Attorney Wade.
"Yes. You see the intent of the ques-
ton. 1t shows memory-the ability to dis
tinguish persons" replied Mr.. !Trude
Detective Mccarthy told of locating the
place where the prisoner bought the re-
volver.
Mrs. Prendergast, mother of the prisoner,
was the first witness for the Defence after
court convened for the afternoon session.
Her testimony in brief was that her son,
Patrick Eugene, had been born in Ireland
April 9Th 1865, and that when he was two
years old she had come to this country.
The boy had been sent to various schools
attached to Roman Catholic churches.
His school life began when he was and
ended when he was 16. About that time,
when he was emerging from boyhood into
manhood, she saw, with some consterna-
ton. that there was marked change in
his disposition, and that he became re-
cluse, devoting himself to books and
avoiding all forms OF outdoor diversion
common to boys.
During the cross-examination of Prem
dergast the State unwittingly brought out
the fact that when baby the prisoner had
been seriously injured by falling distance
of four feet and striking on his head.
1t was during Mr.. Trude's inquiries on
this point that the prisoner created sem
sation in court by exclaiming "Trude,
you are a scoundrel to talk to my mother
that way"
The second witness to take the stand for
the defence was Brother Baldwin of the
ST. Patrick Academy, who testified that
he had refused Prende-gast admittance to
crazy.