The times., 1898-01-08
DuRRANT IS NOW DEAD
BeIfry Crime i7xpiated in the
San Quentin Prison.
HIS FATHER SEES HIM FALL
Meets the Felou's Fate without a
Tremor and Proolaims His Inno-
cence to TIE J.as4 Body May Be
Buried at Sea-A Mothers Pas
Sioiiate Kisses.

san Francisco Jan. = = Theodore
Durrant died on the gallows to-day in
San Quentin prison. as he had said he
would die, with the stoicism of the Ca
madam Indians whose blood ran in his
veins.
Men who have seen fifty criminals
die declare that the youth. who haG
very little experience in life. surprised
them all-in genuine nerve and cool
ness. There was no bravado in his
manner. nor was his nerve aided by
stimulants, as is usually the ease.
When young Goldenson, who shot
down a schools girl in the street, was
hanged here several years ago, he was
filled so full of whisky that he did not
know where he was, and he actually
reeled on the way 10 the gallows. Dur
rant refused to accept any stimulant
as he was a believer in temperance.
Before he was led to the death cham
Der his pulse showed no increase, ana
his hand was firm and steady. On the
gallows he delivered a short Grafton
mainly devoted 10 declaration OF in
nocerce: but what made it noteworthy
was the care with which it was de-
claimed.
All who witnessed the execution
agreed that Durrant met his fate with
a display of courage never seen in an
official execution at San Quentin. They
said that such fearIessness was mado
for better things than murder and its
eXpiation. II may have come from his
vanity or it may have been the final
struggle for family pride. but it was
admirable. IL robbed the execution OF
its terrors for those who looked on.
They did not think thsJ life was being
taken in the degraded way law pre-
seribes. They only narvelad at the
manner in which the victim met his
fate.
His speech was probably the subject
of weeks of study, but ii made a pro-
found impression. There was even ar
effort at orat6ry, for the declarations OF
innocence were declaimed. references
Io eternity were given in reverentiaI
manner, and forgiveness of enemies
came in subdued tones, His voice was
clear and the effort to find it for the
opening sentence was the only time
that he faltered.
on The scaffold Durrant-s face an
peared drawn and haegard. and there
was redness about his eyes and
pallor that heightened his irresula,
features
Durrant spent his last night in great
excitement up TO midnight. receiving
his parents and friends. But when all
We're excluded he fell asleep and en-
joyed fitful slumber until early this
morning. He was very particular
about the clothing he wore. requested
socks of darker color than those of
prison wear and specially asked for a
collar and cravat. usually omitted
from the garb of the condemned
He was admitted to the Catholic
church by Father Lagan, a priest CON
necJed with the prison. His conversion
was mainly to secure burial
place as the Protestant cemeteries re-
fused to receive his body He seemed
perfectly cool and showed emotion
only when he bade farewell to his
mother, just before going to the execu-
IlOn room.
At 1890 the procession filed into the
bare whiteWashed room. where the
gray gallows was the only conspicuous
feature Behind the chaplain came the
elder Durrant. leaning on the arm of
two young lawyers. His eyes were wet
with tears. but he was not broken in
spirit. for he walked deliberately
around to the front Of the platform
upon which his son was to meet his
fate. and secured position from
which he could see every move in the
aH full drama that was to follow. The
father had hardly secured his posi-
ton when the door toward which ev-
cry eye was turned opened again and
the condemned man, led by Father La
gan, supported on either side by
guard, appeared.
Durrant stepped through the door
alone. and when he faced the crowd that
had come to be in at his ignominious
death, he threw his head back proudly
in the manner that has been charac