Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1894-01-04

CHICAGO, ILL.,, Dec, 29.-Unless the
law shall interfere, Patrick Eugene
Joseph Prendergast, the murderer of
Carter Henry Harrison, will die on the
gallows. Twelve representative citizens
of Cook county this afternoon aljudged
him responsible for his deed on the
night Of October 2Sth and the death
watch tonight sits outside his cell in the
county Jail. The verdict of the jury was
agreed upon after a deliberution Of a
little over an hour. Prendergast
''crossed" himself when it was an
nounced, but uttered no word.
The morning of the last day in the
trial WIS allotted to Alfred S. Trude,
who pleaded eloquently for justice and
argued concisely to convince the IL men
before him that Prendergast knew he
was committing a crime when he took
the life of the lawyers friend.
Judge Brentano followed with instruc-
tions to the iury--lengthy but explicit
providing for every contingency or
doubt which might arise in the minds
of those who were Prendergast's Judges.
The text of all verdicts for and against
NAh NOulh bC
IN his case was given to the IL peers and
they retired at 1.25 p. m. to consider
which one they should return according
to the law and the evidence.
Prendergast was sullen and silent
through this last scene in the trial
While the judge was reading his care
fully prepared instructions the prisoners
face betrayed the keenest anxiety. After
awhile he was taken back to his cell in
the jail.
The Harrison family was represented
by Preston Harrison, son of the MUIR
dered man. Neither Prendergast's
mother nor brother was in the court
room during the closing scene. Nobody
was expecting the return of the jury
for few hours.
Suddenly, at 2.2S o'clock, in the midst
of general conversation and laughter,
came baililf's shrill voice, calling,
Take seats, now, gentlemen. Every
eye was turned towards the door and
the buzz of excitement and conversation
died away.
From the door came n procession of
stern-faced men. Judge Brentano led
the way, followed by the Jury and
bailiffs. Deputy sheriffs had minute
or two before been dispatched across the
Bridge of Signs" to the Jail, with
orders to bring in the prisoner. Walk
ing with guards in front of him, Prem
dergast advanced slowly to his seat.
Jail Clerk Ben Price, who accom-
panied the assassin, urged him to "brace
up and keep your mouth shut" Prem
dergast obeyed the latter injunction
only. His bravado and vanity had
fed. He dropped into his seat against
the wall and guards stood over him.
The silence was oppressively intense.
II was broken by the voice of Judge
Brentano saying; Have you agreed
upon verdict, gentlemen?"
1--WE have, your honor" replied Fore
man j. Suffer, handing the fatal docu-
ment to the judge, who transmitted it to
the clerk. That officer quietly opened
it in the rnidst Of breathless suspense
and read as follows;
I'VE, the jury, find the defendant,
Patrick Eugene Prendergast, guilty of
murder in the manner and form as
charged in the indictment, and we fix
his punishment at death"
When the clerk uttered the word
death" Prendergast made the Catholic
sign over his breast with his right hand.
Ills demeanor was pitifully abject. Not
a word escaped his lips. The effect of
the death verdict kept the spectators
silent. No one rose to go. Quickly the
guards took hold OF the trembling
prisoner and were hurrying him by to
the Jail when the voice OF Judge Brentano
was heard again.
IN iuu fha Ia II, ~ 1, a.,..
manded, and the condemned creature
was led back to his seat. The fornality
Of polling the jury had not been COM
piled with. 1t was soon over, each
juror answering Eyes" to the question,
WAS and is this now your verdictw
Pendergast did not sit down the
second time. He stood pale and horror
stricken close to his chair, stretching his
hand for support against the wall while
a guard held the other. After his re-
moval Attorney Wade entered formal
motion for a new trial, which will be
argued next week. Then the crowd
| quietly dispersed.
Preston Harrison was the first to APP
proach MIR. rrude and thank him earn
| estly for his able services and personal
interest in melting out justice to the
murderer of his father. His remarks
were free from exultant feeling. lie be-
lieycs that justice only had been done.
Prendergast created no scene when
he was returned to his cell and the YER
dict was kept from his fellow-prlsoners
as long as possible. They soon received
| word, through visitors, however, and
TAILOR MOTHS Removed the condemned
man tonight to "Murderers' Row." his
cell being next 10 that of Painter, who
has been given respite by Governor
Altgeld until January 18th. Prender.
CAST sent word that he would not see
any visitors, newspaper men especially.
APPOINTED BY FATTIsoN.