Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1898-01-11

IN carrying out the sentence of the law.
Nhe moose was adjusted, the trap
sprung, the stout rope held and Dur
PANTS dead body dangled at the end.
The neck was broken by the fall of Ave
Meet and IL minutes later the murderer's
body was cut down and placed in the
tooHin.
Beginning of the End.
In spite of the exciting events OF
Thursday night, when Durrant was be-
seiged by newspaper reporters and
halked to his parents until 1880 p. M,
HE rested easily during the night and
shortly after six o'clock he awoke and
bade his guards good morning. Warden
Hale had provided new suit of dark
material in honor of the occasion and
Hhese clothes Durrant quickly donned.
he noticed the absence Of collar and
neckte, however, and knowing full well
mhe reason for their omission he asked
ror them, explaining that turn-down
polar would not interfere with the
hooss. Then he sat down to most ex-
hellent breakfast and ate heartily. Dur
Eng the early morning hours Durrant
did not have much to say beyond ex-
pressing desire that no newspaper
men should be allowed to see him. This
Request was complied with.
Embraces the Catholic Faith.
Consistent to the last, Durrant died
processing religion. But he died, ac-
peptdng 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
fcaffold with Durrant, but the minister
would not say that he thought Durrant
innocent, and the condemned man de-
blined to accept his services unless
RAIDER protested belief in his innocence.
Then it was that the once ardent Bap-
fist turned to the Catholic church for
honsolatlon, and called upon Father
hagan, priest who had frequently Wis
eted him in prison, to attend him. Fa-
fher Lagan responded promptly ard
performed the last solemn rites of the
church. Durrant remained in close con-
sultation with the priest and seemed
10 be deeply interested in the impressive
ceremony
Parts with His Parents.
AS the hour of the execution APP
preached the prisoner became some
what restless. His father and mother
were admitted to bid him last fare
well. The elder Durrant grasped his
Son by the hand and the young man
then turned to comfort his mother, who
bried Historically. Durrant embraced
her tenderly and saying: "The hour
bias come for us to part" put her gently
away. The grief-stricken mother was
4ed to a private room where she re-
$pained until after the execution. The
Father, however, went to the executions
room and, supported by two friends,
eaw his son meet death.
S The March to the GaIIoyys.
Warden Hale did not attempt to hurry
matters, but allowed all possible time
FOR the supreme court at Washington
10 take some action. Finally when WORD
avas flashed across the continent thai
khe supreme court had declined to in
Eerfere the warden ordered the pro
Eramme Of the day to be carried out
At 1924 O'clock. Durrant, accompanied
by Father Lagan, appeared at the dool
pit the execution-room. He was fol
lowed by his father, a friend, Warder
Hale and the guards. The father and
his friend walked around the gallow'
TO the front, while Durrant and hi
keepers climbed to the gallows plat
form. Instantly on arriving at the gal
bows his legs and arms were pinione<
hnd the rope was placed upon his neck
Proclafms His Innocence.
The hangman was about to adjust tn
black cap, when Durrant announced hi
nesire TO speak. Permission WINS give,
and the doomed murderer spoke briefly
In quiet tones, asserting his innooenc
md forRiyinR those who had persecute,
& AassssssEsy $3.50 - sttsl