The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-11-12
SCENES IN THE PRISON.
Durrant in the Arms of His Mother
Talk with "a Reporter.

SAN QUENTIN, Cal, Nov. 11.-This
has been a day of great suppressed excite
ment in and about the pententiary. The
preparations for the execution of Durrant
had all been completed and the prison Off
cials were in readiness to carry out the
death sentence, from which there seemed
no further appeal. The man alone was
hopeful that he might yet obtain a longer
lease of life. He spent the greater part of
the day in reading and had little to say to
any one. At $50 p. m. the news that the
Supreme Court had granted reprieve was
received at the prison in a message to
Warden Hale from Chief Justice Beatty
Captain Edgar, who opened the dispatch in
the absence of the warden, Immediately
wrote a note conveying the information to
the condemned man. The message was sent
to the death cell by guard. Durrant
quickly read it, and without any great dis
play of emotion fell on his knees and
prayed silently for several minutes.
Mrs Durrant, the mother of the prisoner
was a passenger on the $3.50 boat from San
Francisco. When she reached the prison
the news was told to her. She was cheer
full on the way over, saying she had put
her faith in God and felt that He would not
desert her. On arrival at the prison she
spared, and that she might see him later
THANK God! she said. Then she went to
hotel for rest and refreshments. At D.
m. she returned to the prison and was ad-
mitted to Captain Edgars office, where her
son was waiting to meet her. The death
veil was removed and Durrant was brought
down to the office, and it will not again be
placed over the prisoner unless required by
FIJI furo in
rant remained with her son in close CONVEX
sation for some time.
A reporter was subsequently admitted to
the prison Office, where Durrant and his
mother were seated on a sofa in each
others arms. Durrant had expressed
desire to make statement and in the
course of an interview said: Naturally 1
was greatly elated at the news of the re-
prieve, although my first intimation based
on a telephone message, was not positive.
Soon afterwards the news was confirmed.
All could do was to thank God"
Was the reprieve a surprise?" Durrant
was asked
Not exactly. All along have had per-
feet faith in my God. This afternoon l
was visited by two Sisters of Charity and
l believe that their prayers and the pray
ers Of all those who have interceded for
me have been instrumental III bringing
about this result.
Then Durrant remarked that he could NOT
understand why Christian people should beg
him in letters to confess. II am innocent =
he said, "and would never confess to such
vile crimes. Sooner or later the truth will
be known. I have faith that the real per
petrator will yet be discovered and pun
ished. All of these little stays bring us
nearer it. I know that the Lord will sooner
or later set all things right l shall never
give up the fight because the Lord is with
me-" he added, embracing and kissing his
mother.
On Mrs. Durrants face was a smile of
contentment but she soon looked sad and
his eyes were dull. He earnestly repeated
many times that faith in God would save
him in the future as in the past. You may
say am innocent" said Durrant in con-
clusion. Il will never yield and God with
me-"
After an hours private talk with her son,
Mrs. Durrant returned to her hotel and
Durrant was taken back to cell No 21 in
murderer's row, which he had occupied be-
fore the death watch was set over him.