The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1893-10-30

The Assassin Confined I'm n Historic
CeII-Whaf He SnNs.


CHICAGO, Oct 29-Prendergast the
murderer of Mayor Harrison, is now locked
In a cell in the county jail. He was car
ried around the city all day by the police,
and bars did not close behind him until 8
O'Clock this afternoon. Early this morning
ne was carried from the Central station
TO East Chicago-avenue station, where he
was locked up for an hour or two. At 10
O'Clock he was driven TO the Harrison
residence on Ashland boulevard. and re-
NAMED there during the inquest. Then he
was taken back TO the Central station, and
finally lodged in the county jail. where he
will remain until his case is finally dis
posed of. Throughout the day he main
tanned the same stolid demeanor which
has characterized him all through, except
on the occasion OF his surrender to Ser
geant Mcdonald at Desplaines-street sta
ton. He will stick TO his story that he
killed the Mayor for no other reason than
that he was not made corporation counsel,
and insists that he had an entire right to
act as he did. He is undoubtedly sincere
in both his story and his opinion regarding
his crime.
When taken to the jail this afternoon
Prendergast seemed absolutely Indifferent
TO his surroundings and situation. A very
at the Jail, but nothing was found excepting
81 in money. While the formality of deliv-
ering the prisoner to the jail authorities
was I'm progress Prendergast occupied him
self in lacing up his shoes, which had been
removed for the purpose OF searching him.
He was then conducted to cell II. IL was
occupied at the time 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 Cinnamon were trans
ierred and Prendergast locked up. Cell
No. IL is an historic cell. being the one
he committed suicide. DR.. Scud-
der was also an occupant ,so Of the the
own death by taking morphine. While the
cell was being examined Prendergast sat
down on a bench in the cage. He bright
clined TO talk about his crime, but asked to
see the papers. Parts of the Sunday papers
were handed him, but none OF them con-
tanned the local news sheets. Prendergast
quickly noticed this and asked for the ac-
count Of the murder. This was handed to
him, and he read down the columns In an
apparent mechanical manner. Then he
dropped the papers and said: Il did my
duty" repeating this sentence several
times He then relapsed into silence and
would say nothing more After entering
the cell he threw himself on the bed, clasp
then sent TO the Jail kitchen and ordered
dinner for Prendergast, as he had expressed
himself to be hungry. The regular jail din
ner was brought him, consisting of soup,
roast beef and vegetables. Prerdergast ate
everything that was given him, and then
lit n cigar and inclined to talk.
II am very tired" he said, having been
bothered so much by so many people to-
day. / feel greatly relieved, as great
strain is off my mind. / have done my
duty. and / think the majority of the peo-
pie, when they know this, will be on my
side. / 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: 81 was
10 have had the position of corporation
only did right I'm killing him. i did not
know that had fired three shots at him
until readeit I'm the papers. / was of the
Mayor. / fired another shot i went
away to prevent any one from following
me, as / expected a crowd to follow me-"
did Mr. Harrison say anything 10 you
when you met him in the house p
Prendergast replied: mo. / drew my re-
volver and fred. After the first shot Mr.
Harrison shouted Murder! but I diu not
hear him say anything else. | ran away
pretty quickly and caught street car"
Here Prendergast claimed he was tired,
and declined 10 talk any more.
Clerk Price and jailer Gould were sure
they had seen PrendergaSt before, Price
being positive that he had been an inmate
or the jail on previous occasion, but
neither could remember when he had been
In the jail before.