The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1898-01-12
BELIEVED HIN INNOCENT.
FATHER LAGAN's CONNECTION
WITH DURRANT.
Says the Condemned Nan Always
Protested to Him That He
Was Not Guilty.
From the san Francisco Call)

(F'rom the San Francisco Call)
There is a general impression that
Durrant just before he stepped on the
trap of the seaffold confessed his guilt
of the Emmanuel Church murders to
Rev. Father Lagan, the Catholic priest
who stood by him in his dying hours.
If he did or if ne did not the world will
never know it, The reverend father
says Durrant always protested his in
nocence to him, and makes an excuse
for him even if he died with a lie on
his lips. Father Lagan tells Of his con-
nection with the hanged man as fol-
lows:
81 have gained more notoriety in this
case than 1 anticipated or thought OF,
said Father Lagan yesterday, and
great deal more than any priest can
relish or desire. AS a great many peo-
pie do not seem to understand the un-
expected conversion Of Durrant to the
Catholic faith on the morning of his
death 1 will simply state the facts of
the case and the matters that led up
to his conversion.
II never saw Durrant until I met him
at San Quentin. 1 never read more
than three columns Of the history OF
his case as it was published in the pa
pers. When he came to San Quentin
l called on him as I call on all the I'M
fortunates who are taken there, ire
spective of race or religion, and he re-
ceived me kindly, and told me of his
happy experiences with Father Jacquet,
who called on him frequently in the
County Jail in San Francisco. l called
occasionally after that first meeting,
but we rarely talked of matters of re-
In the beginning of our acquaint-
snce we never discussed religious sub
jects. About nine months ago he told
me that he desired to have Catholic
Bible, and he asked me to mark for him
the special passages that refer to the
great controversial questions between
the Catholics and the mont Catholics.
I gave him the Bible and pointed out
TO him some of the principal passage
which he wished to study and investi-
gate I also gave him Cardinal Glib
bons' book of Faith of Our Fathers,
and some other books explanatory OF
the Catholic faith and practices. For
months afterward religion was not
mentioned between us. AS Durrants
confidence grew in me he became more
confidential and talked more freely on
various matters, particularly regard
ing his religious convictions. He COM
planned of receiving unkind treatment
from his own ministers and clergymen,
and / advised him to send for them and
have an understanding. 1 have never
yet asked any condemned man in San
Quentin to join the Catholic faith and
/ would not make an exception with
Durrant He asked me on few oc-
casions to explain the Catholic doctrine
Of religious confession and secramental
dissolution. He inquired particularly
about our devotion to the Mother OF
God and about purgatory and several
other questions of Catholic teaching. l
think [ explained them to his satisfac-
ton.
During his occupation Of the con-
demned cell in November last l did not
visit him. After he returned to his
Old cell in the main building l called on
him and he asked me why did not go
to see him at that time. 1 told him
ne knew perfectly well the reason. If
had gone to see him he might think
! was following him to convert him to
Catholicism On that occasion he told
me he was thoroughly convinced of the
principal teaching Of the Catholic
Church and said: can't become
Catholic now In my present position
/ will be misrepresented and misunder-
stood I said: Mr.. Durrant, | have
never asked you to embrace the Catho-
lie faith. If you are honest In your
present convictions you should follow
them to the logical end
II saw him again on the Sunday
after Christmas. The conversation
naturally turned to the same subject.
I advised him to read and pray for
Gods guidance and direction. / saw
him again on the Wednesday before
his execution in the condemned CELL
Rev. DR.. RAIDER and Prison Chaplain
brahms were just after visiting him.
He expressed sorrow that l did not
come earlier in the day. He said Things
might have been different. / replied,
.Durrant you are in good hands ana
all right. If the worst comes, die Ike
a man in peace with God AID the
world
THAT was the last saw Of him IN
I'll was summoned on the morning Of
the execution. / went Immediately 10
San Quentin and discharged my duty
10 the best of my ability to the unfor-
tunate man. I stayed with him 10 the
last moment and stood over his hang
ing body TIL the doctors pronounced
life extinct.
sDurrant from the first to the last
protested his innocence TO me.
las to the reports Of Durrant having
made a confession Of the murders TO
me during religious confession ] have
nothing to say. A question asking me
if he did or not is one that l cannot
answer. No power on earth can COM
rel a priest to disclose anything heard
in sacramento confession. His lips
are sealed for or against his penitent
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