The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1893-10-29
UNDOUBTEDLY INSANE.
Latest Developments Concerning the
Assassin and His Hobbies.

Assassin and His Hobbies.
Special to the indianapolis Journal.
CHICAGO, Oct .2S-Developments late to-
night go far toward indicating that Prem
dergast has had murder in his heart for
several days. On Thursday afternoon of
the present week he entered Billy Bert's
chop house. in Calhoun place, and took a
seat at table occupied by w. a. S. Ora
ham. the murdered Mayors secretary and
another gentleman well known in local
financial circles. Graham, who was ac-
quainted with Prendergast, introduced him
TO his friend, and both gentlemen noticed
that the newcomer was laboring under
intense excitement Presently, without any
remarks having been exchanged to lay any
foundation for what coming. Prender-
CAST broke into bitter delunciation of the
Mayor for what he declared was the lat
ter's opposition TO the elevation of the sur
face tracks. This is a subject that has long
been agitated in local political circles, and
one in which public sentiment has fire.
quently been expressed with emphasis.
IF he don't elevate the tracks will kill
him. will shoot him dead" calculated
Prendergast, bringing his fist down on the
table with a force that made the dishes
rattle. The gentlemen addressed simply
smiled at him. attributlng the strong Ian
guage to the excitement under which he
was laboring. Observing this he ex-
claimed. with still greater vehernence. YES
will kill him. Mark what / say. Unless
he does ii he is dead man"
Not imagining for a moment that Prem
dergast cherished any thought of mlrd ~
In his heart Secretary Graham adroitIv
changed the subject The mans excitement
gradually subsidized. and when he left the
place he had apparently forgotten what he
mad SAID in the heat of passion a few mo-
ments before. Neither OF the gentlemen
thought any more of the subject, and Sec
rotary Graham regarded 1t as so trivial
that, so far as is known, he did not men
ton the subject to his chief
In the early mail that was delivered in
the frSt or 7-oclock delivery, at the CITY
Hall. this morning, there was n letter from
Prendergast addressed to Mayor Harrison.
In which he urged upon the executive the
necessity of immediate action upon the ele-
walton Of the tracks. Secretary Graham.
upon whom the duty of opening and classi-
Tying the mail has always devolved laid
the communication 10 one side regarding
II as lacking sufficient Importance to bring
10 the personal attention of the Mayor.
but rather emanating from one of tho
small whims of cranks that day I'm and
day out deluge the Mayors Office with rec
concentrations. and propositions, and sugges-
lions OF all kinds and things innumerable
After the mail had been sorted Secretary
Graham, who had an appointment at the
worlds fair with the gentleman in whose
company he had been when Prendergast
forced his company upon Them left for
Jackson Parls, where he spent the day.
He had just returned and reached the house
OF friend the North Side when the
news of the shooting reached him. and he
realized that Prendergast's talk of a couple
OF days before was something more than
the vaporings of an excited and harmless
individual.
THE man Prendergrast Is crazy" said
Corporation Counsel Kraus, who was per-
haps the closest friend Mr. Harrison had
II know him well, and have seen him
eral times. He called at my office twice
and told IRE that he going TO be ap-
pointed as my successor, and that should
resign. I laughed and told him that was
ready TO quit at any time, and IL he would
let me know when he received the appoint
ment from Mayor Harrison 1 would gladly
let him have the place. The man was so
palpably out OF his mind that I did not
consider worth while 10 talk seriously with
him spoke to the Mayor about it at one
sma and he said that he had received
-