Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1898-01-15

THEODORE DURRANT.
CAS- a Prisoner.)
prisoner they have been trebly eau.
tious in their espionage since Durrant
was committed to their keeping. His
training in a medical college, where
his favorite study was anatomy, so
qualified him In the art of self de-
structivenness that his prison guar
dams were apprehensive of his slight
est move. Durran't guards had pre-
else and absolute knowledge of how he
might commit suicide. The most in
nocent looking pencil was not allowed
to get near his face. With his knowl-
edge of anatomy he might jab it
through his eye into his brain. The
guards were ready for poisoned
leaves, for everything, and when yes
terday the number Of his watchers i'm
creased from two to three, Durrant
would indeed have had difficulty in
making the slightest move which could
not be promptly stopped. But Dur
eide. He passed his waking hours in
prayer, and when last night the prison
physician remarked, reassuringly, that
llS Nohih Nolllt W hliH III tllt DlOIIlluR
prepared TO give him stimulants, his
significant smile and easy measured
tone would have told, il he had not
said n word, that he would scorn such
support or comfort.
Will Die Like u Durrant.
When asked if lie felt at al unneryed
Durrant held his arm at length and
had no tremor, and then with an air
which was impressive, even if not
grandiloquent, he said: IF | have to
die, / will die like a Durrant; that is
all. | belong to a race which can meet
even death, without finching.'
SO possessed was the peniteutiaTy
doctor with the attitude of the con-
demned man that he declared: "Why,
that fellow is the man of the century.
Any one who thinks he is going TO
break down is sadly mistaken. ! have
never seen any one who approached
him. 1t is hard TO believe a man with
not more than a few hours to live, en-
cept by the most unforeseen interven-
ton, could talk of his doom and bis
condition with seventy-four pulse. He
is in MS fine physical condition as a
man could ask. | have not had him
weighed, but ] think he would tip the
scales at n mark over 100. He is as par
ticular about his appearance as if he
was preparing to go TO his first party.
| remarked that he had had n visit
from the barber, to which he replied:
Yes, and he left his trade mark on me-
indicating a small cut or his lip. He
consoled himself by saying it would
be all right in "a few days. This vanity
was shown again when ! asked him
about his general health since he had
been placed in the condemned cell.
The meat has been so good since |
have been here he said, 'and | enjoyed
it so much ] have probably eaten more
than / should and ii brought out this
little rash about my mouth, but, like
the BARRIERS slip, that to- he said, will
be all right in n few days."
The prisoner was brought before
Judge Bahers of the superior court
November 10 and resentenced TO be
hanged November II, but the state SUI
preme court stayed the execution, and
December Is Judge Bahers resentenced
Durrant to be hanged today.
Since that time every legal techni-
cality has been availed of by the at
torneys to again cheat the execution
er. Appeals of all sorts were made to
courts, state and federal, including the
circuit and supreme courts of the
United States, have been made without
avail.
The morning broke with a cloudless
sky. The prisoner had retired at
midnight and by / was soundly sleep
ing. He rested quietly all night. At
6:15 he awoke, and, bidding the guards
good morning, dressed himself in a
neat suit of black provided for the ex-
ecution. No collar or necktie were
provided, as they would have to be re-
moved when the moose was placed
around his neck. Durrant noticed the
omission and at his request the miss
ing articles of attire were sent him.
Durrant also remarked that the socks
sent him were n little light in color
and a pair of darker shade was pro-
cured.
"You never saw a cooler man," said
Captain Edgar. "He is calmer than
YOU or |, and not n bit nervous. There
is no danger that he will weaken"
Joins the Catholic Church.
Durrant ate a hearty breakfast with
pNl0pnI relish ana Ult Ndh a Sbup
ter from the bible, received a visit
from Captain Edgar Towhom and en-
pressed a desire to deliver n short adj
dress on the scaffold. The condemned
man then had an affecting last inter-
view with his mother, both struggling
hard to maintain their composure.
This over, Durrant sent for Father
Lagan, a Catholic priest, who respond
ed at once and made the necessary ar
engagements for the induction of the
prisoner ihto the Catholic faith. In
the presence of his father and mother,
and with their approval, he was given
extreme JUNCTION and the Catholic
service performed. Durrant was very
attentive. He then conversed with his
parents a few minutes, after which he
babe them goodby. At $3.50 the death
warrant was read to him. In the
meantime a large crowd had gathered
about the prison.
The Crime for Which He Suffered
The crime was committed two years ago,
but during this time neither Durrapt nor
his lawyers would say whom they sus-
pected Of the killing while asserting the
accused mans innocence. 1t was Easter