New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-10-30
MAYOR HARRISON'S SLAYER.
IN ANARCHIST LINGGS CELL.
THE ASSASSIN PRENDERGAST TALKS OF
HIS CRIME
HE DEfIANTLY GLORIEs IN HIS YORK.
NO SUCH SHOCK IN CHICAGO SINCE THE GREAT
FIRE-AN INQUEST HELD AT THE HOME
OF THE DEAD CHIEF MAGISTRATE,
WITH THE MURDERER PRESENT
PRECAUTIONS AGAINST LYNCH.
ING - SCENES AT TIE
HARRISON HOUSE
my TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBuyE.l


HARRISON HOUSE
my TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUSE.l
Chicago, Oct 29.-Not since the day after the
great Chicago fire, twenty-five years ago this
| MONTH when Chicago woke up to find herself
mass OF embers. has there been the uni
versal grief and desolation that pervaded the
entire city this morning when It's inhabitants
realized that their Mayor. Carter H. Harrison.
| had been murdered In his home. The
first question that was on the lips of the seeker
after information was. What manner of man
did this deed? What his appearance, his
character. his mo.ive"'
Patrick Eugene Prendergast. as he was seen
in his cell this afternoon, is young man, about
twenty years old. He weighs about 14O
pounds He Is poorly dressed. and there Is
nothing about him to make him, in any sense
Of the word. a noteworthy creature. He has
small head. with rather well-developed fore
head he has protruding cheek bones. and his
| face narrows down as It approaches the chin, so
that Its type in general Is triangular. The
features are sharp and wel-defned There Is
| nothing about the man In general appearance
or In his conversation To denote disordered in
| tellect This Is true only, I'm so far as the
| ideas which he advances mark him plainly as
| victim Of insanity. He lay on his back on
| his cot this afternoon. dressed in an old pair
| Of trousers and undershrt and socks All the
| other articles OF apparel had been taken from
him. He recllned easily. with his hands casped
beneath his head. and talked of his actions
and his reasons.
TALK WITH THE ASSASSIN
To hear him talk he is educated gentle
man, except far his opinions are con-
cerned
"Prendergast," ne was asked, what did you
shoot the Mayor for?"
THE Mayor ought to have been shot years
ago." he replied. He is responsible for the
death Of hundreds Of people in that he has
refused to elevate the tracks OF steam railroads;
this in Itself. was sufficient reason for his being
removed had personal Of my own.
OF course. and | probably would have killed
him anyway II it hadn't been for the elevated
railroad question"
do You think. Prendergast the fact that the
Mayor refused to elevate railroads was reason
FOR his being murdered"
"Unquestionably" was the reply "He killed
hundreds Of people he ought TO be killed"
What personal animosity had you against
HIM"
He promised 10 make me Corr irot'or Coun-
sci. and then went back on his sr'rAl All liars
should die"
Have you had any legal experience Prem
dcrgast?"
| "a man doesn't have to have to be Corpora
| ton Counsel. All IT needs is a man who knows
how to stfen his back when it is necessary
How long have you had II In mind to destroy
| the Mayor
For a great many months He had fair
warning. | told him ] would kill him If he
didn't keep his word. am going to kill lots
Of other men who have lied To me just as soon
as this affair has blown over"
During all this conversation the murderer be-
trayed not the slightest agitation. He was
perfectly cool and collected In his talk; his eyes
wore a Tranquil calm expression BY no word
look or motion did he betray the slightest ner-
vousness or irritation. He spoke as quietly as
a man would speak who engaged in social
| conversation with another some ordinary
topic
SOME OPINIONS OF THE MURDERER
| Probably the man who knows the prisoner
better than any one else in Chicago is Brother
Baldwin. Of St Patrck's Academy of this
city He said to-day: Il know Prendergast
very well. In my judgment he should have
been placed In an asylum long. long years ago.
He is "A dangerous crank. If ever there was
one For nearly three years now | have re-
| fused him admittance to our institution. He
at one time became very abusive and ! feared
exceedingly that he would iniict personal
violence on some Of us instructed the porter
not to allow him to enter the building, and
he finally quit coming here
At the Mayors home this morning at No
| 231 Asha I'd Boulevard one OF the most sorrow
full sights that was ever witnessed in Chicago
was seen by the few people who were allowed
to enter the house. The inquest was held in the
IIaIo r{th ttyn Ipfti
ties presided The jury was composed of some
Of Chicagos best-known citizens. The fore
man was c. G. Kohlzaat. Probate Judge
The inquest was not long. and developed no
new facts with one exception. The testimony
] of the physicians went to show that four bullets
had entered Mr. Harrsons body; any one of
three bullets would have been fatal.
REFUSING TO ANSWER THE CORONER
Prendergast was asked by Coroner McHale
whether he wished to make any statement.
| He refused to answer the question. Coroner
McHae then said "Prendergast. do you real
ize the gravity Of the situation in which you are
placed? You are accused Of murder You have
acknowledged that you did commit murder.
Your life hangs In the balance. Have you any
thing to say In defence Of what you have done,
or have you any statement to make in connec-
ton with this affair."
The prisoner refused to reply to the question
He shifted his position in the chair uneasily
and a queer expression came into his face Some
of the jurors also questioned him, but to no pur-
pose He maintained dogged silence. The jury
then withdrew. and shortly rendered verdict
in accordance with the facts.
Late last night the police feared that an at
tempt would be made to lynch the murderer.
and accordingly he was removed this morning
to a police station in the outskirts OF the city,
where ne was concealed until 1t was time to
take him to the inquest this morning Just
prior to that he was taken to the Central
Police Station and was driven from there to
the Mayors residence In a patrol wagon. heavily
shackled Both his feet and his hands were
confined. and in addition to the two handcuns
placed on his wrists. he was handcuffed to