The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1893-10-29

not overly cleanly. For a time the man re-
fused TO answer any questions that were ad-
dressed TO him. In a scarcely audible voice
he said: 'I am sick I'm sick"
Chief Shea at last reached over placed
his finger on the mans wrist and told him
that il was doctor who questioned him.
"Why did you kill the Mayor?' asked the
Chief.
"Well" the man responded. feebly, 'he
told me he would make me corporation
counsel, but he did not do il. So 1 shot
him. / went to his door and rang. and 1
went in and shot him. L just shot him;
that's all; 1 shot him."
''What is your name?" asked the de-
tective.
.'Prendergast, Patrick Eugene or Eugene
Patrick. Makes no difference which. The
last name is Prendergast"
Where do you liver
ST don't know. Don't know where.
Around here somewhere, / guess. But"
and the man raised his head to make his
answer more emphatic, II don't live at the
railroad tracks, I'll tell you that" and no
amount of inquiry could induce him TO
give his place of residence.
The Chief asked him If he had ever been
lawyer, and he responded that he did not
know; he did not believe he had.
'.Then why did you expect to be made
corporation counsel?' asked the officer
1.-The Mayor promised me; that's ALL"
| was the answer.
| In attempting to learn the mans means
| of livelihood the officers experienced great
difficulty. His replies were incoherent and
rambling, but at last the examiners be-
| came convinced that he had been a news
paper carrier. whose route was along Ash
| land boulevard and in the vicinity OF the
| Mayors home. 1t is said he carried the
| Times, Mr.. Harrison's paper.
For several hours t''e examination was
| continued, but little Of Importance was de-
| veloped. Other witnesses were examined
including servants who were in Mr.. Harri-
| sons house at the time of the shooting
| and people who had arrived after the muir
der. The prisoner was finally placed in a
| cell under the City Hall and additional
| policemen We're stationed about the build
| ing for the nights vigil.
| All night long crowds came and went
/ about the place. A bitter feeling against
| the murderer was manifested. Significant
but subdued remarks about convenient
| lampposts and swift vengeance were fire.
quently heard. At one time during the
| evening, as a carriage drove rapidly down
| the street, a young man pointed his UNI
| brella at the vehicle and shouted: There
| he goes" There was an immediate rush
| for the retreating carriage, but some one
shouted that Prendergast was still in the
| chiefs Office and the crowd stopped and
began looking for the man with the UNI
brella. An officer, however. had rushed the
away and he, apparently glad TO
escape could not be found.
During the course of his talk the prisoner
lfcfo4 4o.l f1af he l.oI ,so;,, fnI v,lo for
| eievating the railroad tracks within the
city limits, and that he had desired to bo
corporation counsel, so that he could carry
aout this plan. ''You see" said Prendergast,
| II have done some work in political way
| in my ward during the last few campaigns,
| and all for Harrison. L knew large num-
| ber of people, and because of my
| influence Harrison promised me position
| il he was elected in the last campaign
| was asked what wanted and 1 said that
| had a scheme for the elevation of the rail-
| road tracks. / wanted to De corporation
counsel, so that / could push the schemes.
| L was told that / might have the position,
| Since election 1 have asked for the Office
again and again, and have been put off re-
peatedly. The Office was given TO another.
The Mayor had betrayed me and resolved
| to have revenge. 1 have it,
| You wanted 10 nave tie lrdchS eie-
waited, did you? You did not have any par
ticular plan, did you?" asked the chief.
thinking, perhaps. Prendergast was crazy
| on that subject.
| "Yes, 1 had plan that would have cost
the railroads little and the city nothing.
But have forgotten it now" he continued,
wearily and a moment later began to talk
| again incoherently about Mr.. Harrison's
failure TO give him position. Prendergast
lived at No. 600 Jams street with his mother.