Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-12-30
PRENDERGAsT CONVICTED.
The Slayer of Carter Harrison Guilty
of Murder.

|
murderer of Carter Henry Harrison. will
die on the gallows. Twelve representative
citizens of Cook county, ILL.,, yesterday af-
| ternoon adjudged him responsible for his
deed on the night Of October %, and the
death watch sits outside his cell In the
county Jail. The verdict of the jury was
agreed upon after a elaboration Of a little
over an hour.
Judge Brentano's instructions to the jury
| were lengthy, providing for every contin-
gency or doubt which might arise in the
| minds Of those who were Prendergasts
| judges. The text of all verdicts for and
against the prisoner which could be rem
dered in his case Was given to twelve peers.
and they retired at 1:25 pm. to consider
which one they should return according
| to the law and the evidence.
Sullen and silent.
Prendergast sat sullen and silent through
this last scene. but one in the trial. He
was hemmed in by officials of the law who
had no sympathy for him, and further
away sat well-dressed men and women who
came to hear the eloquent Trude. Their
contempt for the ugly-faced assassin may
have been tempered with a little pity, but
their hearts were steeled to receive the YER
dict Of guilt and death. While the Judge
was reading his carefully prepared instruc-
est anxiety. His open mouth twitched ner-
Vousy and he turned his ill-shaped head
at every sound coming from the entrance
to the crowded court room after the jury
had retired. He was fearful Of a speedy
agreement, as he realized that would be
significant of a verdict of guilty.
After a while he was taken back to his
cell in the jail. and the tension which had
kept the men and women subdued was re-
Taxed. The silence only broken by quiet
conversation, gave place to light-hearted
talk in every part or the court room. The
oppressive presence of the prisoner no Ion
ger served to remind them of death and
the CHASTITY gallows. The lawyers and re-
porters engaged in an off-hand argument
on various topics and famous murder tri-
ais Bursts of laughter came from the
group at intervals, and even the attorneys
who have worked hard against great odds
to save their miserable client from a muir
derers fate Joined in the diversion.
The Harrison family was represented by
Preston Harrison, son Of the murdered
man. Neither Prendergast's mother nor
brother was in the court room during the
closing scene.
Return of the Jury.
Nobody was expecting the return OF the
jury for few hours. Suddenly, at 2:2s
and laughter, came a bailiff's shrill voice
calling:
Take seats now, gentlemen"
The meaning Of the order was well I'M
derstood. 1t had the effect of an electric
shock. THAT means guilty. sure" It's
a hanging" were the words which passed
from mouth to mouth.
Every eye was turned toward the door,
and the buzz Of excitement and CONVERSE
ton died away. Instead a solemn stiffness
pervaded the chamber. From the door
came procession of stern-faced men,
Judge Brentano led the way followed by
the jury and bailiffs. Deputy sheriffs had
hafnr hoo S,h<>
across the Bridge of Signs" to the Jail
! with orders to bring in the prisoner. There
was shifting Of men at the reporters
table next to Prendergast's seat by order
| of the court.
Walking with guards in front Of him
and guards behind him, Prendergast ad-
vanced slowly to his seat. Jail Clerk Ben
Price, who accompanied the assassin urged
shut. Prendergast obeycd the latter in
junction only. His bravado and vanity had
fled. The mask had been torn from his face
by fear of an adverse verdict. and he stood
before court and jury natural-a cringing
nounced.
The countenance of every juror was
sphynx-like. No sign of hope for Prender-
CAST could be detected there. He dropped
| into his seat against the wall, and guards
stood over him. His protruding lower Jaw
became limp. SO that his lips hung wide
apart in imbecile fashion. pallor spread
over his face, and he stared vacantly in
front of him. He sat there friendless and
| execrated.
The Verdict.
The silence was oppressive. 1t was
broken by the voice of Judge Brentano
saying: Have you agreed upon a verdict.
gentlemen"
| I'VE have, your honor" replied Foreman
j. Suffer- handing the fatal document TO
| the ?, who transmitted it to the clerk.
That o..icer quietly opened IL in the midst
| OF breathless suspense, and read as follows:
I'VE, The jury. find the defendant, Patrick
Eugene Prendergast, guilty of murder in
the manner and form as charged in the in
death"
When the clerk uttered the word death"
Prendergast made the Catholic sign over
| his breast with his right hand. His de-
| meanor was pitifully abject. He looked in
deed miserable wretch in human form
Not word escaped his lips.
The effect of the death verdict kept the
ly the guards took hold of the trembling
prisoner and were hurrying him back to
the jail when the voice Of Judge Brentano
was heard again.
Bring the prisoner back" he command
| ed, and the condemned creature was led
back to his seat. The Formally of boiling
the jury had not been complied with. IT
was soon over, each juror answering yes"
to the question: Was and is this now
your verdict?'
time. He stood pale and terror stricken
| close to his chair, stretching his hand for
support against the wall while a guard
held the other. After the removal of the
guilty wretch. Attorney Wade entered for
NAL motion for a new trial, which will be
argued next week. Then the crowd quietly
dispersed.