The pioneer press. (Miller, Hand County, S.D.) 1893-190?, 1898-01-13

San Quentin, Cal, Jan. -. - When
William Henry Durrant died on the
gallows yesterday for the murder of
Blanche Lamont he gave such an ex-
hihitl0n of GOODNESS and nerve as has
seldom been seen under similar cir
cumstanccs. Hopeful almost to the
very last minute that something or
some one would intervene to save, he
went to the scaffold and made his lit
tie speech protesting his innocence as
calmly and with as distinct enuncia-
ton liz if he had been addressing an
assCmblage of friends upon some or
binary topic of the day. His face was
pale. his eyes were red, but his voice
was firm and he stood as solidly as Il
rock while he proclaimed his innocence
and profeSsed forgiveness to those
who. he said, had bounded him to
death.
There was not hitch nor accident
to mar the plans of Warden Hale in
carrying out the sentence of the law.
The neck was broken by the fall or
five feet, and fifteen minutes later tho
murdcrer's body was cut down and
placed in the coffin.
In spite of the exciting events Of the
lasI night when Durraut was besieged
by newspaper reporters and talked to
his parents until IL 80, he rested easily
during the night. and then shortly af-
ter Il o'clock he awoke and babe his
guards good morning. A little later
he sat down to n most excellent break
fast and ate heartily. During the
early morning hours Durrant did not
have much to say beyond expressing
desire that no newspaper men should
he allowed to see him. This request
was complied with.
Consistent to the last, Durrant died
processing religion. But he died az
cepting at the last moment the COM
forts of the Catholic church instead OF
those of the Baptist faith in which he
was reared. Rev. RAIDER. Protestant
minister, had arranged to ascend the
scaffold with Durrant. but the minis
ter would not say that he thought Dur
rant innocent and the condemned man
declined to accept his services unless
RAIDER professed belief in his inno-
cence. Then 1t was that tho once ar
dent Baptist turned to the Catholic
church for consolation, and called
upon Father Lagan, priest who had
frequently visited him in prison, to at-
tend him. Father Lagan responded
promptly and performed the last SOL
emn rites of the church. Durrant re-
NAMED in close consultation with tho
priest and seemed to be deeply inter
cSted in the impressive ceremony. As
the hour of the execution approached
the prisoner became somewhat rest
less. His father and mother Were adj
mitted to bid him last farewell. The
elder Durrant grasped his son by the
hand and then the young man turned
TO comfort his mother. who cried hys-
teriCally. Durrant embraced her ten
DERBY. saying: THE hour has come
for lis to part" and put her gently
away The grief-stricken II other was
led to n private room where she re-
NAMED until after the execution. The
father, however went to the execution
room and, supported by two friends,
saw his son meet death.
As soon as the drop fell the specta-
tors hurried out of the room and no
body remained except physicians and
newspaper men. Durrant, ST., went
Immediately to his wife, who was
waiting in enc of the guard rooms.
and together they accompanied the
body of their son to San Francisco.
The prison officials were enthusiastic
i'm their praise of Durrants nerve. 1t
had been feared by them that in spite
Of his apparent bravado he would
break down at the last moment and
make a scene At one time, however,
several days ago, Durrant gave evil
dence of a collapse, but he managed
10 pull his nerves together once more
and proudly declined all offers of slim
ulants to enable him to make bold
showing on the scaffOld. The criminal
was apparently proud of his race and
ayOwed that he would die like a Dur
nt