The herald., 1894-03-24
FEELING AGAINST PRENDERGAST +.
1t Is Strongest at a Distance
From Chicago.
His Lawyers Firmly Convinced O.
His Insanity.
Bun Higgins Deprived OF the Com any
of Mayor Hsrrison's Assassin on
the Gallows Ysster-
days HaBgings.
By the Associated Preas.

BY the Associated Press
CHICAGO, March 23.-The order stay
ing the execution of assassin Prender-
gast till April 9th, made by Judge Ohet-
lain last night. was served on Sheriff
Gilbert this morning.
Thomas, alias Buff Higgins. was
hanged in the Jail here at noon for the
murder Of Peter McCooey, an old city
employee, last September. Higgins and
two pals planned to burRlsrize Nc
Oooey's house. Higgins entered while
the others kept watch outside. Nc
Cooey, awakened by the noise, sat up in
bed and was shot by Higgins without q
word.
Shortly before the hanging Higgins
expressed special qualification that he
did not have to suffer death on the
same scaffold with assassin Prsnder-
gast, for whom he manifested the ut
most aversion and contempt. He ex-
hibited most wonderful nerve through
out his trial and afterwards; it did not
desert him at the supreme moment. He
made no remarks on the scaffold. He
claimed to the last that he was the
victim of police persecution, and being
pohe w uChbu On pei luIcu tcebinOnys
As the trap fell with q clatter, the
prisoners In the adjoining corridors set
up shout of Hang Prendergastl Hang
Prendergastr' and the little assassin
covered further back into his cell,
trembling and muttering imprecations
Attorney O. s. Darrow said today:
'The farther away from Chicago you
get, the more bitter you will lind the
fA0linU againaf Drandaruaat II tha
southern part of the state, the prejudice
is intense. Without knowing the 6rst
thing about the case or considering the
mental condition Of Prendergast, they
say: Hang him. Lieutenant Gov
ernor Gill no doubt decided the case be-
fore he ever heard from me. He stated
he had been influenced by public
opinion. and beyond doubt that alone
influenced him."
''My interest in this case" continued
Mr.. Darrow, who is remarkably in earn
est in his effort to save Prendergasr, sis
that OF humane man. Soon after the
assassination, l became impressed with
the idea that the outcast who had
taken hie life was insane and
would not receive just treatment
in the criminal court. The case
was one that could not be passed upon
by the average citizen without prejudice.
My views were published in q Chicago
paper, and at once l was appealed to by
the lawyers of the defendant and mem
bers OF his family. At the Irouuois club
met many prominent men, memb bers
OF the bench and bar, who entertained
my views. When Prendergast was SEN
fenced to be hanged they argued that
some one should take up the case. Mr..
Gregory and l agreed to do so, and from
that time we have done all in our power
to save Prendergast from the gallows,
All that we have done has been in the
interest of justice. We have given our
time without compensation and have
borne all our own expenses."
Who will meet the cost of the pro-
posed insanity trial?" Mr. DArrow was
II do not know. All that has been
done in the case since we took hold of
it has been paid for by Mr.. Gregory and
myself. We shall probably meet the
expense of this proceeding. which will
not be considered for the present, but
many prominent men, and few pubic
men, have offered to contribute to
fund to give Prendergast the benefit of
the law. Therefore, it is likely that the
court expenses will be met by public
subscription. Neither Mr.. Gregory nor
myself expect any compensation for
what we have done or may be able to
accomplish"
Messrs. Darrow and Gregory are among
the foremost lawyers in Chicago. Their
connection with the case has been
surprise, as neither needs advertising
and both eschew criminal practice.