Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1894-07-14


CHICAGO, July 13.-Patrick Eugene
Preudergast, the assassin Of Mayor
Carter Harrison, was hanged at HAS
O'Clock
Within the gloomy white walls OF
Cook county jail all was hustle, con-
fusion and suppressed excitement as
the time rapidly drew near when the
condemned murderer would expiste his
crime, paving the forfeit with his life.
The gallows had been placed in position
in the east end Of the north corridor,
and at 1926 Jailo, Morris aat his as
sistants made the fnai test OF the rope,
trap and trigger.
At 1850 all the prisoners In the three
tiers OF cells immediately In front OF and
70 the left OF the scatfOld were marched
out and taken over 10 the south wing,
in order that there might be 40 demon
strstiOn during the ina. scenes.
As is the custom the assassin was close
~ guarded by baiiifIs during the night.
Between six and seven O'Clock he par
took heartily OF breakfast, and about
nine O'Clock be said 70 Js.lor Morris
that he was again hungry. The jaIlor
had bis prisoner served with another
hearty meal. This Prendergrasi dis
posed OF quickly. The assassin talked
freely with his spiritual sdvieerS, and
several times, apparently fearing that
they would desert him, remarked;
"You must stay with me 10 the eud.
As the hour for his execution came
nearer Prendergast showed some signs
OF slightly increased nervousness, but
on the whole be was remarkably calm
and we'll collected. Tao jury OF physi-
clans al l1:1O filed In and inspected the
scafTold aud appurtenances. Fifty dep
uty sheriffs were ranged around the
sides OF the corridor, until the final
march should be taken up.
Sheriff Gilbert and Tailor Morris ap-
peared at the right of the sCalfoid. The
prisoner, pale aud unsteady, walked be-
hind them. He stood without apparent
nervousness, though a tri1s weak and
unsteady, as bis arms were being PIN
toned. JaiOr Morris placed the rope
about his neck. the white cap over his
As o. a =
shot downward, the head twisted 90 one
side, the neck having apparently been
broken. Nine minutes after the trigger
was sprung he was pronounced dead.
At 11:5S Jai.or Morris uplOoSed the
anchored end of the rope, aud the
shTouded corpse was slowly lowered and
put into a coffin.
The crime aud the criminal were
alike extraordinary. PrendorEast was
tWenty-three years Of age and news.
paper carrier. He took an interest 10
local politics and IN Carter II. Harri-
sons mayOralty campaign spent much
Of his time eiectionesrinE for Harrison.
He also was an ardent advocate Of the
single tax theory. His sgotism amount
eAto a passion and bis consuming de-
size was 20 see bis name in print.
While considered a coward, Ee was
willing to risk everything for n6tOristy
At last il occurred TO him thai applica-
LOO for a higb Office Woud-s&curs him
notoriety be craved, and accord
civ he appeared in Corporation Coun-
Il Adolph Kraus's Office and an
knced that be desired 10 succeed MI
Prsus in the position. Mr.. hrauS
aughed at him and took the announce
ment as joke, Prendergast sheaked
out. and was disappointed 10 mud that
be was not listed BY the newspapers as
an applicant for office
He next called upon Mayor Har-
rison, and, with all the gravity he could
master, stated his desire 20 be appoint
ed corporation counsel But the mayor
was Ia good humor, and chsfied Preu-
dergast good -naturedly, aud speedily
forgot him. The incident did not get
Into the papers, and again Pr5ndergast
called upon the mayor, and limited that
N his request die not secure prompt at
tention, &c would be worse for Mr.. har-
rison. Mt Harrison treated the threats
tightly, but ordered Prendergast out Of
his Office. A third time be visited the
MAYORS Office, but on this occasion was
received brusQue,y, and warned % keep
away, and trouble the mayer no more.
Desperate Ia his determination 90 secure
notoriety, and enraged az bis failure,
PrendergaSt at last worked himself into
d irenzied mOmsntary courage.
On the uight Of October IS, 1898, Car
ter Il. Harrison, Mayor OF Chicago, was
seated at dinner with his son and
daughter, al his residence on Ashland
boulevard. The door bell rang, and
low-browed, stumbling, ilI-cIad fellow
asked 70 see the Mayor. The man was
Prendergast. When informed that the
Mayor was az dinner, he turned away,
and said he would return later. When
the man called again the Mayor was
doing on q couch. lie was awakened
By the sound Of voices, and came to-
ward the door. The man approached
The Mayor, said something which was
not overheard by the servant, aud then
pointed a revolver at Mr.. Harrison's
breast and fired. The assassin ran into
the street, and surrendered himself 10
the police about the time Mayor Har-
rison expired 10 the arms Of Miss Anna
Howard, OF New Orleans, TO whom he
was 10 be married in few days.