The Wichita daily eagle., 1898-01-08
GANE IO IHE VERY END
Continued from First Page.)
although both strove to maintain their
composure.
DIES CATHOT 10

! composure.
DIES A CATHOLIC.
Rev. Edwards Davis. who had publicly
announced his intention to accompany
Durrant upon the scaffold, was not ad-
mitted to the prison this morning by
Warden Hale, and as the prisoner re-
fused to see either Chaplain Graham or
Rev. William RAIDER, the Prostentant
clergymen who visited him recently, it
was decided both by the prisoner and
his mother that Rev. Father Lagan
should be sent for. This was done and
the priest at once responded and made
the necessary arrangements for the re-
ception of Durrant into the Catholic
faith.
At $3.50 o'clock Warden Hale visited the
death chamber for the purpose of read
ing the death warrant to the condemned
man who listened TO the well known con-
tents Of that document with respectful
attention, but with no outward sign of
fear.
When it was finally decided that Dur
rant should accept the Catholic faith his
parents met Father Lagan in the ward
ems office and accompanied him to the
death chamber, where the prisoner was
given extreme JUNCTION and the Catholic
service performed. Durrant evinced the
most lively interest in the service. He
then conversed with his parents for a few
minutes, and shortly after 10 o'clock bade
them farewell for the last time and pre-
pared for his march to the scaffold.
THE CROWD ARRIVES
On the arrival of the first train from
San Francisco. the open space in front of
the prison gate rapidly filled with people.
including many of those who held invita-
tions to the execution, as well as others
attracted by curiosity. Among the throng
We're many physicians and several Off
cials of various counties. DR.. William |
Lawler, prison surgeon. selected the fol- |
lowing physicians to assist him at the |
scaffold: DIR. J. T. Jones of San Rafael, |
DR.. g. Wckham Of San Rafael. DR.. j. f. |
Morse of San Francisco. and DR.. r. E. |
Williams of San Francisco.
Among the first arrivals was DR.. Will |
lam F. RAIDER. He stated that he would |
not see Durrant if Rev. Dr. Edwards
Davis was to he present and he was at
once informed that that gentleman had
decided not to attend. Soon after the
Rev. Father Lagan drove up from San
Rafael in his own buggy, mud-bespatter-
ed and unassuming. He was met by
Warden Hale and was at once admitted
within the gates. Then the supposition
that Durrant was about TO change his
faith became a certainty. He professed
the Catholic religion and died within the
church
THE MARCH TO THE sCAFFOTD
SO many persons pressed for admission
that the warden found it necessary to
publicly announce that under no circum
stances would any one without proper
card be admitted.
At 1o:25 a. m. the gates of the prison
had closed on the last man who wo,,I5
witness the hanging. The crowd had
gathered in the cold bare room adjoining
-he place Of execution but not until near
y iO:3a sharp did the iron doors that sep
arate the scaffold from the large apart-
nent swing to admit the visitors.
The ceremony was very simple. The
audience had no sooner entered the room
han silence fell upon the catherine
The door Of the condemned cell clanlse5
md in fraction Of a minute therea flor
Warden Hale entered. closely followed bv
father Lagan and the prisoner led be
ween two guards. The priest stepped
.side and Durraut, in voice emotionless
md apparently unaffected. made a short
speech There was no sincerity in the
mans words. They were cold and pas-
ionless.
There was no scene At the gallows Mrs
'Crrant did not witness the execution
She remained in a room in the lower part
Z the prison and showed unnistakable
igns Of grief, tempered with a dogged
,esire 10 create the impression that she
vas TOO proud to weep.
HIS NERVE NEVER FAILED. 5
Durrant died protesting 10 The last his {
OF the murder Of Blanche "a
mont and Minnie Williams. He main
aimed 10 the very end the same marvel
us oooiness and nerve which character
zed him throughouJ his long ir7prfson-
aenJ and many trials and 6arnons--a.ss
hat he was indeed the criminal Of -bs
enlury- His farewell words were smoke,
2 very subdued bur clear voice which
y its calmness and freedom OF passion or
motion, caused many heads To turn av,-s,
nd many eyes TO III with tears. He fo--
ave his enemies with no trace Of con-
ealed resentment and proclaimed his in :
ocence with the calmuess az one assert =
~ an indubltabie truth. He was n. 4,