The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-07-14
Patrick Eugene Prendergast Executed
in the Cook County Jail at II Mill
utes TO Noon Yesterday.
MADE NO FINAL STATEMENT
But Went to the GallOwS with
BravadO and Died "Game."
Pronounced Dead Nine Minutes After
the Trap Fell-The NOtOriety-LOving
Murderer's Career and Crime.

CHICAGO. July 1S.-Patrick Eugene
Prendergast. the assassin of Mayor Carter
II. Harrison, was hanged in the Cook coun-
ty Jail yard, in this city. to-day, at twelve
minutes to II o'clock m. In the language
of the officials, he died game
As is the custom. the assassin was closely
guarded by bailiffs during the night. Be-
tween 6 and I o'clock Prendergast partook
heartily of a breakfast of ham and eggs
He showed a ravenous appetite. and about
8 O'Clock sent word TO jailer Morris that
he was again hungry. The jailer had his
prisoner served with another hearty meal.
This Prendergast disposed of quickly. and
he seemed to relish ii greatly. The assassin
talked freely with his spiritual advisers,
and several times, apparently fearing that
they would desert him, remarked: You
must stay with me TO the end" As the
hour for his execution came nearer Prem
dergast showed some signs of slightly in
creasing nervousness, but on the whole he
was remarkably calm and well collected.
Throughout the Jail the officers and other
attaches remarked about his behavior, for
il was the general opinion that he would
weaken badly a good while before the hang
ing.
Father Barry was still with Prendergast
at IL a. m. having been in constant at
tendance upon him all the morning. The
little assassin had "thawed out" very much
since last night, and was now most defer
entail to his spiritual adviser. The doomed
man announced, with a trife of bravado
that Il will die game. and set a great and
shining example TO my country" Prepare
tons were being made at ii a. m. 20 bring
the condemned man to the eallows. Prem
dergast had been removed from his cell in
murderers' row to an ante-room off the
jail office, which is. in fact. the bathroom,
and where the last kindly offices were be-
ing performed FOR the miserable wretch.
He specially requested Sheriff Gilbert TO
allow him twenty minutes in which to
make his dying statement, but the assas-
sin kept his lips sealed when the time came
for him to speak.
The jury of physicians. at lilo, filed in
and inspected the scaffold and appurte-
nances. Fifty deputy sherifs were ranged
around the sides of the corridor, and the
rather tedious. though. in reality. short
wait, began until the final march should
be taken up. At n:i2 a hush fell upon the
throng in the corridor, and far down the
ombre halls could be heard the muffied
tramp of the funeral cortege. \ few mo-
ments later Sheriff Gilbert and Jailer Nor
rs appeared at the right of the %scaffold.
The prisoner pale and unsteady' walked
nervousness, though a trifie weak and un-
steady. as his arms were being pinioned.
He seemed determined to die game, and
IpOhtu CdiunA oub Ou III dSSeIlDltu CIONu
below him. The white shroud was next
placed about him, and, barring a little rest
| less motion of the eyes, up, down and from
side to side, he made no motion. Jailer
Morris now placed the rope about his neck,
the white cap over his head, and Prender-
CAST, game to the last. had taken his last
look of earth. An instant later, at IL AS,
and he shot downward. the head twisted to
one side, the neck having apparently been
broken. Slowly swaying back and forth,
he hung for a few moments. while the ply
! sicians held his wrist. A slight spasmodie
movement of the legs was all the sign of
life apparent within the loosely hanging
white robe. Surrounded by the jury of ply
SicianS, the corpse swung to and fro. anG.
at 11:57. nine minutes after the trigger was
sprung, he was pronounced dead, and the
murder of Carter H. Harrison was avenged.
The assassin made no audible sound from
the time he left his cell, apparently being
lost in contemplation of his awful fate.
He took final leave of his spiritual advis-
ers. gave a last handshake to his guards,
a last adieu. He was dissuaded by Sheriff
Gilbert from his determination TO make a
speech. At 11:5S Jailer Morris unloosened
the anchored end of the rope, the Shrouded
corpse was slowly lowered and laid in the
coffin standing underneath the platform.
The face of the dead man was not badly
distorted. though the mouth was open and
the tongue protruding. The color of the
feature was a blush. tint. which, with his
the forehead. made a sight long TO be re-
membered. The coffin was borne into the
outer court, and thence across to the inner
Jail office. where. after the legal formal
ties were gone through with. the body was
subject to claim by relatives or friends.