The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-12-30
PRENDERGAST GUILTY.
The Conclusisa Reached After An Hogs's
Deliberation-He Uttered Not a Word.
bat Fell Limp In His Seat.

CHICAGO. ILL. Dec. 29.--The jury by
whom Prendergast was tried for the muir
der OF Mayor Harrison has returned
verdict Of guilty OF murder IN the FIRST
degree. and recommended that Prendergsst
be hanged.
The verdict was reached after dellb-
GRAFTON OF a little over an hour. Prem
dergast crossed" himself when Il was
announced, but uttered no word.
While the judge was reading his care
fully prepared instructions the prisoners
face betrayed the keenest anxiety His
open mouth fwitched nervously. and
he turned his ill-shaped head at every
sound coming from the entrance Of the
crowded courtroom. after the jury had
retired. He was fearful OF speedy
agreement. as he realized that would
be significant of 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
relaxed.
The jury retired at les. At 2:zs o'clock,
i'm the midst OF general conversation and
laughter, came a baillff = shrill voice, call
ing Take seats now, gentlemen" The
meaning Of the order was well understood.
Ii had the effect of an electric shock.
Every eye was turned towards the door
and the buzz of excitement and conyer-
sation died away.
Ia srison.r Intnask"d.
Judge jury. and court officers took
their places, and the prisoner was
brought back. Prendergasts bravado and
vanity had ned. The mask had been torn
from his face by the adverse verdict
and he stood before court and jury natural
"a eringing coward. afraid 10 hear his
doom pronounced. The countenance or
every juror was sphynx-like. No sign OF
hope for Prendergast could be detected
there He dropped into his seat against
the wall and guards stood over him.
His protruding lower jaw became limp. 80
that his lips hung wide apart In imbecile
fashion. A paiior spread over his face
and he stared vacantly I'm front OF him.
He sat there. friendless and execrated.
The silence was oppressively Intense.
II was broken by the voice OF Judge
Brentano saying. Have you agreed upon
a verdict, gentlemeng'
I'VE have. your Honor replied foreman
J. Sutter, handing the fatal document 10
the Judge who transmitted it to the CLERK
That officer quietly opened II I'm ihe midst
OF GREATNESS suspense and read as fol-
lows:
The Verdict Pronounced.
I'VE. the Jury, find the defendant Pat
rick Eugene Prendergast guilty OF mur-
der In the manner and form as charged IN
the indictment and we place his punish
ment AT death"
When the clerk uttered death" Prender
CAST made the Catholic sign over his
breast with his right hand. Ills demeanor
was pitifully abject He looked indeed n
miserable wrecth in human form. Not
word escaped his lips The effect OF the
death verdict kept the spectators silent.
No one rose TO 40. Quickly the guards
took hold OF the trembling wretch ana
were hurrying him back TO the Jail when
the voice or the Judge was heard again.
Bring the prisoner back" ne commandcu.
and the condemned creature was LED back
to his seat. The forriaiity OF polling the
Jury had not been complied with. Ii was
soon over. each juror answering Yes to
the question: Was and Is this now your
verdict
Motion for n New Trial.
Prendergast did not sit down the second
time. lie stood pale and terror-strickcn
close 20 his chair stretching his hand for
support against the wall while guard
held the ether. After the removal OF the
guilty wretch Attorney Wade entered a
formal motion for a new trial which Will
be argued next week. Then the crowd
quietly dispersed.
Prendergast created no scene when he
was returned TO his cell and the verdict
was kept from his fellow prisoners Az long
as possible. They soon received word
through visitors, however, and Jailer Nor
ris removed the condemned man tonight
to "murderers row."his cell being next TO
that OF Painter, who has been given u
respite by Governor AItgeld until January
18th. Prendergast sent word that he wouiu
not see any visitors, newspaper men ss-
peciaily.