The Yakima herald. [volume] (North Yakima, W.T. [Wash.]) 1889-1914, 1893-11-02

IT iast ne determined 10 demand
from the mayor himself satisfaction for
his imaginary wrongs. He had now
reached homicidal stage. He bought II
cheap secondhand revolver and called at
the mayors residence. Mr.. Harrison,
accustomed 10 the vagaries Of all sorts Of
cranks, treated his demands lightly.
Prendergast killed him and that is the
story Of the crime.
While the assassin wat ,hed, the father
chartered with his children and told the
story Of his journey that day through the
White City. He was feeling particularly
happy at the prospect of his approaching
marriage. His betro thed, Miss Annie
Howard, was at his sons house, few
PAGES away, and he spoke several times
to his son and daughter about her. After
dinner Preston Harrison went upstairs
to his room, while Miss Harrison went
around to her brothers. house on Marsh
field avenue. The mayor declared that
he would rest in the dining room for a
while, and soon had fallen into light
slumber. The table had been cleared and
the servants closed the kitchen door ST.
that the household clatter might not dis
turb the sleeping mayor. About ten
minutes to o'clock the assassin left his
post Of observation and walked quickly
toward the entrance gates. He rang the
bell slowly and deliberately, without that
nervous ring which denotes man in
haste. He staggered little as the flood
OF light from within revealed him to IN >
servant as she opened the door. In a
hesitating way he asked il the mayor was
al home.
"Yes," answered the girl.
II want to see him." said Prendergast.
Hearing the noise, the mayor awoke
and was on his feet in an instant. He
walked through the door leading from the
dining room into the hallway and caught
a glimpse Of the man who wanted to see
him.
well, what do you want with me ?'
asked the mayor, in his bluff and hearty
way.
Without word the assassin stepped
forward toward the mayor. The only
warning of death received by Mr.. Harri-
son was the CLEAN of revolver as Prem
dergast pulled it out of his pocket. Death
came swiftly.
Leveling the weapon at the mayor as
he advanced, the assassin fired. The
mayor clutched at his breast and tried to
pluck out the biting pain, which seemed
to paralyze his heart. Staggering back
he grasped at the wall for support.
Prendergast followed the lettering man
He brought the hammer down again and
the bullet plowed through the stomach oil
the mayor. The first missile had passed
through the right breast and penetrated
the lungs. Retreating still before the
murderer, the mayor staggered into the
dining room.
Prendergast still followed the now dy,
ing man. The mayors face was con.
vulsed with pain, and blood was flown
from the wound in the stomach; the
agony of death was on the mayor. as he
vainly tried to clutch the wounded spot
on his breast.
With his face afame with hate, re.
venge and insanity Prendergast was still
unsatisfied in his lust for blood. For the
third time he raised his revolver. The
old man, bleeding and dying, turned to-
wards the murder rs the hammer came
do yn again. The strength left in him
impelled the mayor to throw up his left
hand to stop the bullet. Death had al.
ready claimed him. His Ii e. blood was
ebbing a way, yet the instinct of self
preservation and the strong desire for life
made the brave old man thrust out his
weakened arm. His left hand almost
grasped the barrel OF the revolver. An
other flash, loud report and the bullet
ploughed its way through his hand, al
most shattering the little finger. The
missile buried itself in the wall. AS the
latter shattered Mr.. Harrison's hand, a
terrible cry broke out. The servants
screamed and tried to get out of the back
door. Preston Harrison, who had been
reading In his room upstairs, came bound
ing down the stairs. Before he could get
near his father the coachman, Charles
Parth, had dashed from the servants
diningl DOM into the private dining room
Prendrengast fred at the coachman, but
missed him. The murderer then left the
house. The coachman rushed to the
barn, got his revolver and gave chase to
the murderer.
Prendergast continued his way TO Des.
PLANES street. At the house of death the
mayor lay breathing heavily and calling
for his future bride. Preston Harrison
had heard the reports Of the shots, which
he thought were like explosions. Instinct.
lively he ran TO the patrol alarm and rang
it. Hearing his fathers groans he ran
into the dining room.
I'm SHOT, Willie," murmured the dy.
ing man. This is death. / feel it.
Bring doctor; bring Annie, bring An.
ME, Annie"
Away went the son, flying for doctor.
Some neighbors who had heard the shots
rushed toward the house. They found the
front door wide open. Everything seemed
to be deserted. All was silent.
81 am dying" muttered the mayor,
looking toward bis son. "Bring Annie. !"