Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1893-11-02

CHICAGO, ILL.,, Oct. 29.-The assassina.
ton of Mayor Carter II. Harrison, last
night, was the sole topic of conversation
in the city to-day. Patrick Eugene Prem
dergast, the assassin, was generally sup
posed this morning to be insane. but late
tonight there is grave edoubtab IT, While
he may be crank. there is nothing about
him to indicate that he lacks moral re-
eponsibility. The fact that he ran straight
To q police station Indicates that he was
sane enough to seek protection IN the
quickest way. 10 have remained and
gloated over his crime would have been
the course of demented man. His family
and physicians think he is sane.
Prendergast was removed quietly from
the Central station, where ne was first con-
fined, to one of the outlying police sta.
tions. Up to the time of his removal
Prendergast maintained the sullen, defiant
and Indifferent attitude that he had shown
ever since he gave himself up to Desk Ser
geant Barber at Desplaines street station
last night,
Despite the assertion of DR.. Laidlaw, the
Prendergast family physician, that the
assassin had never shown any lndlcatlon
of mental alteration, there is no doubt in
the minds of those who have seen and
conversed with him that he is u crank
His actions for several weeks past confirm
this suppostion.
He has been writing threatening postal
cards to various city officials; he has
threatened the life of the mayor in the
hearing of Mr.. Graham, the mayors sec
retary; he has demanded that Corporation
Counsel Kraus should resign in his favor,
and his whole conduct has been that Of a
man mentally unbalanced, whose mania,
taking homicidal turn, settled upon
Mayor Harrison as the imaginary author
of his wrongs.
UNDOUBTEDLY SANE.
Pendergast is undoubtedly sane enough
to be morally responsible in spite of his
lie had studied and read cranky eco
nomic theories until his mind gave way
He imagined that he was u reformer. Ht
had schemes for the betterment OF al
mankind. He was especially interested IL
the welfare of Chicago and imagined tha
he alone could reform the abuses IRON
which the city is suffering. he was especl
ally bitter in his denunciation of the rail
road grade crossings, which are responsible
for many deaths every year, and the idei
became liked in his mind that II he wer
made corporation counsel he could solv
the problem of elevating all the railroad
tracks within the city limits.
HARRIsoN's PROMISE DELusIoN.
Long brooding over this subject bre
the delusion that the mayor had promise,
MIN the OIllcDs Ilb lllSlsltu uIlOll llC
filment of the imaginary promise. II
haunted the municipal building and an
moved the city officials with his crazy dt
mands. Finally he determined that tn
mayor was acting in bad faith with him
This idea grew; he thought of it day an
night. Ills diseased brain was incapa6l
of entertaining any other idea. he dt
termined TO demand from the mayor hin
self satisfaction for his imaginary wrong'
He had now reached the homicldal stag
He bought cheap second-hand revolve
put IL in his pocket and called at u
mayors residence. Mr. harrison, a
customed to the vagaries of all sorts {
cranks treated his demand lightly. Pref
h dergast killed him. That is the story.
IN THE SHADOW OF DEATH.
Mayor Harrison had been to the World
Fair with his son, Carter IL. Harrison Jr
and had returned home about d clocl
The son remained at the Fair. Thoug
tired out with the days sightseeing, tt
mayor was in good humor and chattt
gayiy with his younger son, Willial
Preston Harrison, and his daughter Sophi
The three dined together, making
pleasant family party. No cloud of pr
sentiment came to disturb the happiness
the father and children. Mr.. Harrlst
had not noticed, as he walked down AS
land avenue, that man was leanii
heavily OH the railings surrounding u
ahouse.
The man was Prendcrgast
While the assassin watched, the lath
chatted with his children, and smiled
he told the story OF his journey that di
through the White City. He was partic
larly happy at the prospect OF his q
proaching marriage. His betrothed, Mi
Annie Howard, was at his son 5 house.
few PAGES away, and he spoke sever
times to his son and daughter about HI
IH After dinner Preston Harrison went u
stairs to his room. Miss Harrison we
around to the brothers house in Mars
field avenue. The mayor declared
would rest in the dining room for awhi
and shortly before o'clock he had fall'
into light slumber.
THE ASSASSIN AT THE DOOR.
About 10 minutes to the assassin |
his post of observation and walked quici
toward the entrance. he rang the
~ slowly and deliberately. In hesitati
M way he asked the servant who opened
Ia door If the mayor was ut home.
"Yes." answered the girl.
~ want to see him. said Prendergast
N The girl hestated, as he did not seem
her the sort of man to admit into
house. Brushing past her, the murde
said that he must see the mayor. 1
door was left openpwhile the servant II
to learn the visitors business. Hear
the noise the mayor awoke and wall
through the doors leading from the din
~ room into the hallway, and caught
! ! 1. !. ! !. ! ! ! !
n glimpse of the man who wanted to see hi
-"Well, what do you want with mt
Al asked the mayor, in his bluff hearty W
SAID NOTHING TO HARRISON.
At the sound of his voice the girl
Prendergast and disappeared within
kitchen, but not before she heard the n
mutter something about wanting to
W corporation counsel. Prendergast decla
W. pfteryard that he did not say wort
lhe mayor. As the latter came toward
with that peculiar swing for which he
noted, without u word the assassin step
M toward the mayor. The only warning
Heath received by Mr.. Harrison was
kleam of a revolver as Prendergast p'I
I from his pocket.
M Death came swiftly. Leveling
weapon at the mayor as he advanced
assassin fired, The mayor clutched at
breast and tried to pluck out the hi
pain which seemed to paralyze his he