Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1898-01-15

tlOuS III biltil NSpiOlhSt SltNt
was committed to their keeping. His
training in a medical college, where
his favorite study was anatomy, so
qualified him in the art OF self de-
structivenness hat his prison guar
dams were ap%prehensive of his slight
est move. Durran't guards had pre-
else and absolute knowledge of how he
might commit suicide. The most in
nocent looking pencil was not allowed
to get near his face. With his knowl-
edge of anatomy he might jab it
through his eye into his brain. The
guards were ready for poisoned
leaves, for everything, and when yes
terday the number Of his watchers in
creased from two to three, Durrant
would indeed have had difficulty in
making the slightest move which could
not be promptly stopped. But Dur
rant apparently had no thought Of sui
eide. He passed his waking hours in
prayer, and when last night the prison
physician remarked, reassuringly. that
he would come to him in the morning
prepared to give him stimulants, his
significant smile and easy measured
zone would have told, il he had not
said a word, hat he would scorn such
support or comfort.
viii Die Like q Durrant.
When asked if he felt at al unnerved
Durrant held his arm at length and
had no tremor, and then With in air
which was impressive, even il not
grandiloquent, he said: If | have to
die, | will die like a Durrant; that Is
all. | belong TO a race which can meet
even death, without fiinching.'
So possessed was the penitentiaTy
doctor with the attitude of the con-
dcmned man that he declared: "Why,
that fellow is the man of the century.
break down is sadly mistaken. ] have
never seen any one who approached
him. 1t is hard 10 believe a man with
not more than a few hours to live, eX-
cept by the most unforeseen interven-
ton, could talk of his doom and bis
condition with s~eventy-four pulse. He
is in as fine physical condition as a
man could ask. / have not had him
weighed, but ] think he would tip the
scales at a mark over 100. He is as par
~ticular about his appearance rs if he
was preparing to go to his first party.
/ remarked that he had had a visit
from the barber, TO which he replied:
Yes, and he left his trade mark on me-
indicating a small cut on his lip. He
consoled himself by saying il would
be all right in a few days. This vanity
was shown again when j asked him
about his general health since he had
been placed in the condemned cell.
The meat has been so good since l
have been here he said, and | enjoyed
it so much i have probably eaten more
than / should and it brought out this
little rash about my mouth, but, like
the BARRIERS slip, hat to- he said, will
be all right in a few days."
The prisoner was brought before
Judge Bahers of the superior court
November 10 and resentenced to be
hanged November 12, but the state SUI
preme court stayed the execution, and
December Is Judge Bahers resentenced
Durrant to be hanged today.
Since that time every legal techni-
cality has been availed of by the at
torneys to again cheat the execution
er. Appeals of all sorts were made to
courts, state and federal, including the
circuit and supreme courts of the
United States, have been made without
avail.
The morning broke with a cloudless
sky. The prisoner had retired at
midnight and by ! was soundly sleep
ing. He rested quietly all night. At
6: Is he awoke, and, bidding the guards
good morning, dressed himself in a
neat suit of black provided for the ex-
ecution. No collar or necktie were
provided, as they would have TO be re-
moved when the noe was placed
around his neck. Durrant noticed h
omission and at his request the miss
ing articles of attire were sent him.
Durrant also remarked that the socks
sent him were n little light in color
and a pair of darker shade was pro-
cured.
"You never saw a cooler man." said
! Captain Edgar. "He is calmer than
you or /, and not q bit nervous. There
is no danger hat he will weaken
Joins the Catholic Church.
Durrant ate a hearty breakfast with
evident relish and then read a chap
ter from the bible, received a visit
from Captain Edgar Towhom and ex-
pressed O desire to deliver a short ad-
dress on the scaffold. The condemned
man then had an affecting last inter
view WITH ulS lIOtiiCib ootA on eS6o
hard to maintain their composure.
This over, Durrant sent for Father
Lagan, q Catholic priest, who respond
ed at once and made the necessary ar.
rangements for the induction OF the
prisoner into the Catholic faith. In
the presence of his father and mother.
and with their approval, he was given
extreme JUNCTION and the Catholic
- n..>n- xyn xynRx
attentive. He then conversed with his
parents q few minutes, after which he
babe them goodby. At o:so the death
warrant was read to him. In the
meantime q large crowd had gathered
about the prison.
The Crime for Which He Suffered
The crime was committed twp years ego.
snt dunn tais g!P: nsisefs cn Dun2es a 3Dr
accused pSn's~ Innocence. Il waS 1ssfsr