The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1898-01-14
DURRANT HANGED
MURDERER OF BLANCHE LAMONT
rays THE PENALTY.
Face to Face. With Eternity He
Calmly Rcasscrts His Innonccnce
and Forgives Those Whom He
Says Hounilcd him to His Death
Remarkable Exhibition of Cool
ness and Nerve-Assd Father
.Witnezses tits Som. Execution.

san quentin, CAL, Jan. 3. - When
William Henry Durrant died on the
gallows yesterday for the murder Of
Blanche Lamont he gave such an ex-
hihiti1n nj 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
tic speech protesting his innocence as
calmly and with as distinct enuncia-
tion as If he had been addressing an
assemblage of friends upon some or
binary topic of the day. His face was
pale, his eyes We're red, but his voice
was firm and he stood as solidly as a
rock While he proclaimed his innocence
and professcd forgiveness to those
who. he said, had bounded him to
death.
There was not a 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 Of
five feet, and fifteen minutes later the
murderer's body was cut down and
placed in the coffin.
In spite Of the exciting events of the
last night when Durrant was besieged
by newspaper reporters and talked to
his parents until 11:3O, he rested easily
during the night, and then shortly af-
ter 6 o'clock he awoke and babe his
guards good morning. A little later
he sat down to most excellent break
fast and ate heartily. During the
carly morning hours Durrant did not
have much to say beyond expressing a
desire that no newspaper men should
be allowed to SEQ him. This request
was complied with.
Consistent to the last, Durralt died
protesting religion. But he died ac-
ccpting 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, a Protestant
minister. had arranged to ascend the
scatfold 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 professcd belief in his inno-
ccncc. Then it was that the once az
dent Baptist turned to the Catholic
church for consolation. and called
upon Father Lagan. q priest who had
frequently visited him in prison, to at
tend him. Father Lagan responded
promptly ard performed the last SOL
cmn rites of the church. Durrant re-
manned in close consultation with the
priest and seemed to be deeply inter-
eSted i'll 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-
te!ically. Durrant embraced her ten
derby, saying: '''rhe hour has come
for lis to part" and put her gently
away. The grief-stricken motller was
led to a private room where she re-
manned 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 one OF the guard rooms.
and together they accompanied the
body of their son to San Francisco.
The prison officials We're enthusiastic
in their praise of Durrant's nerve. 1t
had been feared by them that in spite
of his apparent bravatlo lie would
break down at the last moment cad
make Il scene. At one time. however,
several days ago, Durrant gave evil
dence of a collapse. hut he managed
to pull his nerves together once more
and proudly declined all offers of slim
u]ants to enable him to make n bold
showing OH the scatfcld. Tie criminal
was apparently proud of his race and
avOwed THAT lie would 'dic like Il Dur
Tant.'