River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1893-11-02

cltlZenS mad gathered. There were
loud threats of lynching passing from
mouth to mouth as the patrol wagon
with Prendergast arrived The officers.
however. had little trouble in foyeing
the crowd aside and entering the build
ing
why He Did 1t.
The prisoner was ushered into the
presence of Chief of Police Brennan
and corps of shrewd detectives. where
he was submitted TO a cross-tire of
questions which were calculated to
secure from him the story of his crime
and detect whether or not his insanity
was real or feigned. lie was a most
abject-looking person as he faced the
officers, and his every look. word and
action gave evidence of a disorlered
brain. At the conclusion of their ex-
animation of Prendergast the uni
versal conclusion of officers. reporters
and others who were present was that
Mayor Harrison's assassin was UNI
doubtedly an insane man.
From the mass of ineligible and UNI
intelligiOie answers given by Prender-
CAST il was developed that he was a
newspaper carrier lie declared that
he had worked hard TO secure the cleo
ton of Mayor Harrison last spring. and
that no recognition of his services had
ever been made by his victim. lie said
that the subject of elevation of
railroad tracks throughout the
city-which has been discussed in
the newspapers, and which Mayor
Harrison has been urging since his
election-had occupied his attention
for many weeks. file had formed plan
for track elevation which he was sure
would be a success. in fact, he knew he
was the only man in the city who could
elevate the tracks. He had told Mayor
Harrison of his plan, and had asked that
be be given the position of corpora
non counsel in order that he might
have power to put them in operation,
and thus put stop to the daily loss of
life at the grade crossings in the city
Mayor Harrison had promised him the
place, but had not kept his promise
Feeling that the mayor had betrayed
his confidence, he made mp his mind to
kill him, and in pursuance of his de-
termination had, on Saturday, pur.
chased n revolver for four dollars,
and proceeding to the mayors resi-
dence, had shot him. He felt that he
was justified in killing him, and fully
expected to be acquitted. He gave but
the most meager details of the dreadful
occurrence-not as much as are narrated
above. He could not Der, he
said, whether there had been any con-
versation between them prior to the
shooting. As has been stated, the Off
GERS feel certain that Prendergast is in
sane. His relatives, however, say they
never noticed any signs of insanity in
the unfortunate youth, and that inSan-
ivy was unknown in his family for
generations back.
Intense Excitement.
As the news of the assassination
spread throughout the city crowds
fioclxed to the city hall, the newspaper
Offices, club rooms and hotels eager to
hear the horrible details. The utmost
excitement prevailed among the angry
people, and expressions of Indignation
and horror and dire threats against the
assassin were heard on all sides. a
big force of policemen guarded the en-
frances to the city hall and kept back
the excited crowds which pressed for
ward, loud in their denunciation of the
mayors murderer. No scenes of VIC
lsnce occurred. however.
At the House of Death.
A great but quiet and orderly crowd
assembled about the dead mayors Ash
land boulevard mansion, and until far
past midnight the streets in the vicinity
were packed with sorrowing citizens.
4 force of policemen guarded the resi-
dence all night None were admitted
to the house except city officials, al
dermen and immediate friends of the
family.
The regret was universal throughout
the city at the awful occurrence
Clubs and political meetings, both of
republicans and democrats. adjourned
Immediately upon an announcement of
the sad news Deep sympathy was ex-
pressed on all sides for Miss Howard,
VINO was to have been married to Mr..
Harrison. aud for his sorrowing sons
and daughters.
sad Close OF the Fair.
Especially sad is the taking-off of
the mayor in this awful manner com
ing as il has on the eve of the closing
of the Columbian exposition. Since its
inception Mayor Harrison has b@en a
prominent character in connection with
its history. Especially fitted to re-
ceive the honored guests of all
lands, Mr. Harrisons great ambi-
ton was to be mayor of Chicago dur
ing the worlds fair period. lie has
been a most prominent figure at all the
uota ble gatherings at Jackson park
during the fair season. On the day OF
his death he led a procession of the
mayors ard other officials OF fifty or
more American cities who had gath
cred IN response 20 Chicago's invita-
ton to celebrate Cities day. But
a few hours before he was stricll-
en- down by the assassin's bullet
he had addressed this gathering at
Music hall. his burning eloquence as
ne referred to the glories of the fair,
and the conscious pride shown in his
utterances with reference To the city
which he loved, attracting marked
attention and winning for him uproar-
ious applause. During his remarks he
gave utterance to belief that
he would yet live To see Chicago the
metropolis of America and the third
city in the world in point of population.
The shock experienced by the visiting
officials on learning of the death of him
who but lew hours before stood be-
fore them, vigorous and eloquent can
better be imagined than described.
An inquest was held on the remains
of the dead mayor at his late residence
Sunday morning. Prendergast was
brought to the scene of his awful deed
and was identified by the servant girl
who admitted him on his fatal
mission. The prisoner refused to make
a statement, but admitted that be was
at the mayors residence Saturday
evening. The physicians who had
made a post mortem examination of
the body declared that death resulted
from the bulle. wounds found, and the
jury returned verdict holding Prem
dergast to the grand jury on a charge
OF murder.
The funeral of the dead mayor will
take place on Wednesday. and the re-
mains will be inferred at Graceland
cemetery. The body will lie in state
at the city hall from Tuesday morning
until the hour of the services, in order
that citizens may take a last view of
their assassinated ruler.
Tho fsstivities MANNED for closing