The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1894-07-14
MAYOR HARRISON AVENGED.
The Murderer of Chicago's
Executive Expiates His Crime.
PeDdegrast Met His Fate Calmly and
showed no Signs Of Breaking Down.
He Had Hopes Until the Last Moment
That His Life Would be spared-Death
Came Quickly.

Nearly nine months have elapsed since
the bullet OF an assassin deprived Chicago
OF her chief executive, the State of ono
OF her most illustrious citizens and the
country at large Of statesman and O
patriot. To day the crime was avenged
and Patrick Eugene Prendergast su ffered
an ignominious death at the hands OF
the hangman.
The execution was devoid of incident;
the assassin went to his death like an OK
going to the shambles. UP to tho last
moment the hope Of interpretation from
some source or another did not desert
him, although he was fully cognizans of
the fact that all efforts in both State
and Federal courts and in the exc tive
had been exhausted, When it came to
the end he nerved himself Cor supreme
effort and paid the penalty Of his crime
without whimper and without word
Prendsrgast laid down to rest for the
last time at midnight and in five min.
utes was asleep he slept soundly un
til 6:l0 when he awoke with start and
In surly mood. In a few minutes he
was dressed and asked for his breakfast.
lie was asked what he would like to
nave. His order was for ham and eggs,
fred potatoes and coffee, but when it
was put before him it sid not suit him
and no called for n porterhouse steak,
French fried potatoes. sliced tomatoes
and cucumbers, hot biscuit and big
pot OF che colate. Then he cleaned up
the dishes During the morning he
drank two quarts Of chocolate in addi.
tlon TO what he had for breakfast
Inc waiting time was spent in con-
pany with Father Barry. When the
death warrant was read to him at 10
| o'clock Prendcrgast remarked to the
priest: 1--WE may yet hear from the
governor"
Those who witnessed tho execution
w@ro tae examining physicians, the
'nemb rs OF tho grand jury now in ses-
sion aud about 200 ticket holders,
among whom were included the news
paper correspondents. AT ll:40 the pro-
cession to the scaffold moved. Prend ar.
CAST looked straight ahead and gave
no signs of weakening.
Just as the white shroud was being
tied around his neck he took long
trtaSh and every one imagined that he
was about to make speech. In sec
ond, however, he had set his teeth to-
gether, while his face grow red and
white by turns. The two deputies led
him to the center Of the trap, quickly
adjusted tho moose and drew tho white
cap over his head. His limbs seemed to
tremble for second and then there
was movement from under the white
robe as though he were bracng himself
The signal was given to tho unseen
executioner. The bcdy swung round
and round, there was ono brief convul-
sive strugg. e, and tho murder of Car
ter Harrison had been avenged. Tho
body was surrounded by the physicians,
and as soon as life had been pronou need
extinct it was cut down.
The Jail officials said after the exc
cution that the condemned man had re
quested an Indulgence of twenty
minutes after reaching tho scaffold for
the purpose OF making speech. He
was dissuaded from this intention, how.
ever. by Father Barry.
History of the Crime
CHICAGO, July 13.-The crime which
Patrick Eugene Pfendergast expated
with his life this morning was one Of
the most diabolical in tho history of tho
city, partly on account OF the official
and private standing of the victim,
whose friends and acquaintance were
to BIO found in nearly every country on
tho face of the globo, and partly because
tho tragedy marred the closing DAYS OF
the triumph of the Worlds Columb .an
Exposition The tragedy attra ted in
forest and excited sympathy throughout
the civilized world.
The late mayor met his death on the
night of Saturday, October IS, 1898.
During the afternoon he had taken part
in the celebration OF american Cities"
day at the Worlds Fair, and in response
to a general demand from an IMMENSE
audience had delivered a spec CHI, which
those who heard IL said was the best eff
fort of life in which his powers OF ora
tory b ad placed no inconspicuous part
Despite his years he seemed possessed
OF all the vim and energy and activity OF
youth, and in the course of his address,
referring 20 tho growth and develop
ment OF Chicago, he said that be ex-
pected to be alive to behold her great
ness score of years hence.
After leaving the fair he drove di-
rectly to his residence on Ashland
Boulevard, and at 6 oclcck sat down 30
dinner with VIM. Preston Harrison, his
son, and his daughter, Sophie. While
the family were at the table the door
bell rang and the maid servant who
iouhu al AZ .i@'oIeu, ulrtY'
low proved and poorly clad fellow
standing in the archway. He asked to
see the mayor and was told that he was
at dinner. With the remark that he
would call again he turned and sham bled
down the walk between the lawns and
out through the gate into the street
About half past seven he returned.
by that time the family had arisen
from dinner. Miss Harrison and her
brother were in their apartments on the
second floor, while the mayor was
lounging in the dining room. When the