The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1894-07-14

debates. Thus ne gained a smattering of
knowledge about various matters, and
among his fellows was regarded as prod
ICY of learning. He regarded himself in
the same light and treated the other car
riers with superciousness and evident
contempt, which they were disposed IA her
to encourage than to resent, for Prender-
CAST was brutal and cruel youth, who
had a disagreeable fondness for beating
and torturing his younger and smaller CO.
workers.
Last summer he grew tired of his
featureless existence. What he wanted
more than all other things, and which was
more ecessary than everything else to his
happiness, was to be talked about. He
longed to see his name in the newspapers;
to know that he was filling the public eye.
He thrsted after distinction. no matter
whether it was good or bad. He felt that
to enjoy the sensations of notorety he
would risk much. But he was a coward
and would not risk his life. He would
risk his liberty for the delight Of otoii-
Gus life.
1t at last occurred to him that it would
create comment if one in his station OF
life, humble newspaper carrier, should
apply for a high Office in The munich al
government. The thought took complete
possession of his mind lie appeared in
Corporation Counsel Adolph Kraus' office
one day and announced that he desired
to succeed Mr.. Kraus in the position.
Mr.. Kraus laughed at him and took the
announcement as a joke and Prendergast
cd uh of ha
looked for the newspapers the next morn
ing! how anxiously he hoped they would
contain an account OF his visit to Mr..
Kraus. If they had. probably Mayor Har-
risOn would be alive to-day. If they had
Prendergast would probably have been
satisfied. He would have seen his name
in type. He would have lorded it over the
other carriers of whom the public had
never heard. But. unluckily for Mayor
Harrison and for him, he was disap-
pointed. The newspapers contained no
mention of the incident he had so care
fully planned.
EXasperated by his failure to secure the
nO0riety he craved, Prendergast deter
mined to make another attempt. At last
he selected Mayor Harrison. He called
upon the Mayor and with all the gravity he
could muster stated his desire 10 be ap-
pointed corporation counsel But the
Mayor was in good humor and the ludi-
cFousness of the affair struck him. He
ehaffed Prendergast good naturedly and
speedily forgot him. At any rate he did
not think it necessary TO notify the news
papers, and again Prendergast failed OF
his object.
He was now more determined than ever
to attain it, he was resolved that he
would get his name into the newspapers
even at the risk Of arrest. He called again
upon the Mayor and limited if his request
did not secure prompt attention it would
be the worse for the Mayor. But his
cowarGice prevented him from making the
hints ominous enough TO brighten or even
startle the Mayor Mr. Harrison did not
know fear and he treated Pre- dergastS
threats as lightly as he had treated his
requests. This time he oriered Prender-
CAST out of his office, but in spite of that
he did not think the matter important
enough to mention it.
Prendergast determined TO write to the
Mayor. His letters were not only I'M
answered, but be could not be sure they
had ever been delivered. Again be called
on Mayor Harrison. This time he was
received briefly and was warned to keep
away and trouble the Mayor no more.
Desperate with his determination to
secure the longed-fOr notorety, Prender-
CAST at last worked himself into a frenzy
and committed the frightful crime for
which he died to-day.
| On the night of October %, 1898, Carter
II. Harrison, Mayor of Chicago. was
seated Mt dinner with his son and daugh-
ter, in his residence on Ashland boule-
ward. The door-bell rang and low
brOwed. sham bling. ill-clad fellow asked
to see the Mayor. When be was informed
the Mayor was at dinner he turned away
and said he would return later. When
the man called again the Mayor was quiet
ly doing on divan. IL bad been AmerL
can Cities day at the Worlds Fair, and he
had made the best speech Of his life TO
the vast throng of people. He vas awak-
ened by the sound of voices and came
toward the door.
The man approached the Mayor. said
something which was not overheard by
the servant. and then pointed revolver
ut Mr.. Harrson's breast and fired. The
assassin ran into the street, and, after dis
charging a ball at the pursuing butler,
disappeared in jackson street.
Shortly afterwaTd he surrendered him.
self TO the police. About that time Mayor
Harrison expired in the arms of Miss
Anna Howard of New Orleans, to whom
be was to have been married in few DAYS.
The trial and conviction Of the assassin
and the desperate fight made by him to
escape the gallows on the plea OF insanity
are fresh in the public memory. The fight
failed and Prendergast has been held to
his account. One way or the other news
paper comment troubles him not at all
now.
FOUL WORK.