The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-07-13
TO BE HANGED TO-DAY
ASSASSIN PRENDERGAST-s LAST
CHANCE FOR ESCAPE GONE.
Interfere and Judge Groscup Refused
an Appeal or Writ of Habcas Corpus.

CHICAGO, July 12.-Assassin Prendergast
will hang to-day. Governor Altgeld having
refused to stay execution of the law and
the federal court declining to interfere.
The application Of the attorneys for the
assassin for a writ of habeas corpus i'm the
United States Circuit Court was argued to-
day before Judge Grosscup. After hearing
the grounds upon which the application was
made and the demand of the attorneys of
the condemned man for a stay of execu-
ton until an appeal could be taken TO the
United States Supreme Court. Judge Gross
cup sent the following telegram 10 Judge
Woods, of the United States Circuit Court
of Appeals. who was at Indianapolis:
"Prendergast sentenced TO be hanged to-
morrow. His counsel file application for
habeas corpus and ask for stay. Exceed
ingly important that stay be refused unless
he is entitled 10 it. Cannot you come here
to confer with me to-night or tomorrow
morning."
Late this afternoon Judge Grosscup de-
cided not to interfere in the matter. When
Prendergast was told at 5 O'Clock this aft
ernoon that there was no hope for further
stay of execution of the sentence Of death
he would not believe il. II still have hope
that some sort Of a stay will be granted
Tomorrow" remarked the assassin. IF I
am hung ii will be an official murder. I
am not guilty OF the crime of murder. No
malice was shown on the trial. and the law
says that murder is the malicious taking OF
a human life"
The assassin spent the day quietly in the
little room Just east Of jailer Morris's Of
fee. His brother called and remained for
an hour. The Reverend Father Barry. OF
- HI No.. CAtIr.l lnfar
Prendergast, when told that the priest was
in the jail. said: We'll, let him come In II
he wants to. But i want II understood
that l did not send for him. II he desires
TO see me / will receive him" The priest
entered the room and talked with Prender-
CAST for an hour. The assassin seemed in
afternoon Mrs. Prendergast. mother OF the
assassin, came. There were tears In the
eyes of the sorrowing woman as she ap-
son a new suit of underwear and . clean
white shirt. Il will see MIN after aVaile
for the last time said Mrs: Prendergast.
with a shudder, as she sank into the chair.
Later she entered the chamber OF death to
take final leave OF her son.
: Prendergast's supper was brought TO him
while he was talking. and he at once
stopped and began eating: His appetite
was good and he ate heartily. After supper
he began TO smoke a cigar. which made
him violently I'll. He soon recovered, how
Jailor Morris. late this afternoon. began
the erection OF the scaffold in the north
| east corner of the Jail. After IL was in
| place IL was thoroughly tested with bags
OF sand and worked in a satisfactory man.
ner.
Attorney Darrow, P~rendergast's counsel.
| seemed TO have abandoned hope tonight az
s O'Clock. II have not heard from the
Governor. and don't expect to- he said.
1.-The writ of habeas corpus and the appeal
have both been denied by Judge Grosscup-
The country seems determined 10 hang an
| insane man. and / guess We will have 10
allow IL TO do so. We had little reason for
hope from the Governor from the FIRST