The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-01-07
PRISONER BREAKS DOWN
THE PARENTS REFUSED AU-
DIENCE BY THE GOVERNOR.
The FA1HER'S PATHETIC DIREC CTIONS
Will Not See His Son Ole, and May, to Avoid
NOtOriety Bury Body in the Pacific,
But Friends Want II to be
Cremated.

San Francisco, Cal, jan 6-Governor
.Budd has announced that he will not
interfere with the execution of Durrant.
The Governor waited at his apart
ments this afternoon for Gen. Dickinson,
Durrant's attorney to appear. Dickin-
son did not come and the Governor ex-
pressed his determination to allow the
law to take its course. 1t was stated
that Mr.. and Mrs Durrant would call
on the Governor this afternoon to make
n last appeal for their son but the Gov
ernor said that he would not receive
them.
In speaking Of the Durrant case Gen.
eral Dickinson, said:
"No one will have permission to inter
view the condemned man before he is
hanged, as l have authority in the mat
ter and have given strict orders that no
one shall see him. If the unfortunate
man must die l believe IN letting him
spend his last hours in peace and will
not submit to having him pestered.n
Durrant's father has not decided what
disposition he will make of the body.
Owing to the fact that some of the Gem
etery associations refuse to receive it
on account of the nOtoriety that would
result, the elder Durrant threatens to
bury the body under the broad waters
of the Pacific ocean. Friends are try
ing t. induce the stricken parents to
have the remains cremated.
They left the city for San Quentin, in
order that they might spend the night
with their son and bid him farewell.
Amos Lunt. the hangman, visited
Durrant's cell this afternoon for the
purpose Of taking his measure and de-
termining upon the length of the drop.
Tke machinery of the gallows was test
ed, and everything found to work
smoothly today. About $50 invitations
have been issued by Warden Hale.
DURRANT BREAKING DOWN.
San Quentin Prison, Cal, Jan. c.
Durrant is breaking down rapidly. He
seems to have put all hope out of his
thoughts. 1t hardly seems that he Will
make a brave show on the ScaffOld or
than he will be in any condition when
at the last moments, to carry out his
intention of making a farewell speech
His father has confessed to Warden
Hale that he has given up all hope of a
stay and enters into the most minute
details about the hanging an pitiably
Respondent way. The warden promises
that no vulgar curiosity on the part of
medical men or. any body else will be
gratiied after the body has been cut
down and also says that the corpse win
be delivered to Durrants parents imme-
diately after the execution for whatever
disposition they choose to make of it.
The elder Durrant has finally decided
not to be present at the hanging. He
has so notified the warden, making a
number of requests which Warden Hale
granted The father of the condemned
murderer asked that after the execution
the remains of his son be placed at
once in the coffin without autopsy or
inquest and that the black cap be not
removed, so that no one would be per-
mitted to see the boys face after death.
He also asked that the rope be burned
after execution so that it could not be
cut up and hits distributed as souvenirs.
The condemned man has received spir-
itual consolation from Rev. VIM. RAIDER,
Congregational minister from San
Francisco. Chaplain brahms also call
ed and Rev. Logan, of San Rafael, who
was frequently visited by Durrant, came
to say farewell.
NO HOPE FROM JUDGE BREWER.
Washington, Jan. 6.-Justice Brewer,
of the Supreme court, who is in charge
of the Ninth district, late this after
noon refused to interfere in the Dur
rant case. Attorney Boardman, of CAL
ifornia, came here with the hope of Sc
curing a writ of error or supersedeas,
which would act as stay to Durrant's
execution. Mr.. Boardman saw Justice
Brewer Immediately after the adjourn
ment of the Supreme court and made
a strong plea for his client, but both Of
his applications were refused
Tne interview lasted forty minutes.
After its conclusion Mr.. Boardman stat
cd that he was undecided as to whether
to make an application to the full Su-
preme court tomorrow for a writ Of
prohibition, staying the execution. As
the court does not convene until noon
and the execution is set for 1890 he
was fearful that the difference in time
would not be sufficient to save Durrant
even I he should he successful in having
his motion granted.