The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-01-08
DIED AYOWING INNOCENCE.
v. h. 7. DuTTant Exp ate' the Murder
Of Two Girls on the Ga.lOTS.
HIS lERYB HOLDS OUT TO The END.
No Autopsy Held and the Rope Burned as
Requested by the Prisoner-A Catholic
Priest Gives Consolation On the Scaf-
fold-Last Moments on Earth.

on the galloWs this morning for the muir
der Of Blanche Lamont, he gave such an
exhibition Of coolness and nerve as has
seldom been seen under similar circum-
stances. Hopeful almost to the very last
minute that something or some one would
intervene 10 save him, he walked 70 the
scaIold and made a speech, protesting
his innocence as calmly and with as dis
tinct onunciation as 81 he had been adj
dressing an asscmblagc of friends upon
some ordinary topic OF the day. His face
was pale. his eyes were red, but his voice
was firm. and he stood az solidly as
rock while he proclaimed his innocence
and professcd forgiveness 20 those whom
he said had bounded him 10 death.
There was not "a hitch 10 mar tho plans
Of Warden Hale in carrying out the SEM
tence of the law. The neck was broken
by the fall Of five feet, and fifteen min
utes later the murderer's body Wds cut
down and placed in a coffin
SLEPT WELL.
In spite OF the exciting events Of last
night when Durrant was bescised hy
newspaper reporters, and talked TO his
parents until 11.30 J.. NJ. he rested easily
during the nisht. and shortly altcr %
o'clock awoko and bade his guards good
morning Warden Hale had provided "a
new suit Of dark material and these
clothes Durrant quickly donued. He
noticed the absence of collar and neck
tie however. and knowing fun well tho
reason for their omission, he asked for
them. explaining that "a turn-doWn collar
would not interfere with the moose. Then
ho sat down To- an oxccllaut breakfast
and ate heartily
During the early morning hours Dur
rant did not have much 20 say beyond
expressing % desire that no newspaper
men should be allowed 10 see him. This
request was complied with.
Consistent 10 the last. Durrant died
protesting religion But he died, accept
ing at the last moment the comfort of
the Catholic Church instead Of those of
the BAPTIST faith. In which he was reared
Rev RAIDER. n Protestant minister, had
arranged 20 ascend the scanold with Dur-
rant. but the minister would not say that
he thought Durrant innocent, and the
condemned man declined TO accept his
services unless RAIDER professed belief in
his innocence.
Then il was that the once ardent Bap-
tist turned 10 the Catholic Church for
consolation. and called upon Father
Iag.n. "a priest. who had frequently vis-
tied him in prison, to attend him. Father
Lagan responded promptly and performed
the last solemn rites Of the Catholic
Church. Durrant remained i'm close con-
sultation with the priest. and seemed TO
be deeply Interested in the impressive
ceremonies.
PARTING WITH HIS MOTHER.
As the hour Of the execution approach
ed. the prisoner became somewhat rest
less. His father and mother were add
mitted to bid him a last farewell The
elder purarnt grasped his son by the hand
and ;he young man then turned 10 COM
fort his mother. who cried hysterically.
Durrant embraced her tenderly, saying:
"The hour has come for Us 10 part and
put her gently away.
The grief-strickcn mother was led TO a
private room, where she remained until
after the execution. The father. however
went 20 the execution room. and. sup
ported hy two friends, saw his son meet
his death.
Warden Hale did not attempt 20 hur-
~ matters but allowed all possible time
for the Supreme Court AT Washington
10 take some action. Finally when word
was flashed across the continent that the
Supremc Count had declined 90 interfere.
the warden ordered the execution Of the
sentence 10 be carried out
At 1891 o'clock DuITant accompanied by
Father Lagan appeared at the door OF
by his father. a friend. Warden Hale and
the guards The father and friend walk
ca around the galloWs 10 the front while
Durrant and his keepers climbed 70 the
eailow's platform. Instantly on arriy-
ing at the gailows his LEGS and arms were
plnnioned and the rope was placed about
his neck
The hangman was about TO adjust the
black cap, when Durrant announced his
desire To speak. Permission was given
and the doomed murderer spoke as iol-
lows:
HIS LAST WORDS.
"T desire TO say that although 7 am an
innocent man. innocent of every crime
that has been charged against me ! bear
no an.mOsity against those VINO nave
uersecuted me not even the police OF
san Francisco, who bounded me 10 the
grave IL any man thinks I am going
to spring a sensation. / am not, except lt
is a sensation that / am an innocent
man brought 10 the grave by my per
secutors. but 1 forgive them alL lhey
will get their justice from the great Coz,
who is master of the universe and / also
expect TO get justice, that is the justice
OF an innocent man.
Whether or not the perpetrators OF the
crime OF which / am charged are ais
covered it viii make no difference TO
ne now, but / say this day Will be
shame to the great state of California.
! forgive everybody who has prosecuted
me. an innocent man whose hands nave
b
meet my God with forgiveness for all
men
distinctly and without emphasis. Dur
rant finished quietly and had scarcely
ceased Wncn the biucsclp was placed over
his face At the same instant hang
man Lunt raised his hand. the trap was
.crung and with q rattle Durranls BODY
shot through the opening.
In eleven minutes and twenty-eight
seconds. all signs Of life had vanished
and the most noted criminal OF tie nine
teenth century was officially dead.
The body was allowed to hang for
fifteen minutes when IL was cut down and
placed in a black coffin, PROVIDED by an
undertaken from San Francisco.
MAY BE CREMATED.
1t IS not vet known what disposition
OF the body Will be made as Durrant
parents have been so far unable 10 secure
accommodations in any OF the local Gem
eteries for the body OF their SON
IL Is possible that II will be cremated.
Durrant Sr.. went Immediately To his
wife. who was awaiting In one OF the
guard rooms and together they accom- |
panied the body Of their son TO San Fran
cisco.
lhe prison officials were all enthusiastic
In their praise Of Durrant.s nerve. Ii |
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 several days ago Dur |
rant gave evidence OF collapse. but |
he managed 10 pull his nerves together |
)nce more. and proudly declined all offers |
u stimulants 10 enable him to- make a |
bold showing ON the scaffold. lie was APP |
parently proud of his race. and avowed |
hat he would die like "a Durrant."
Durrants last request OF Warden Hale |
was that no autopsy be held on his body. !