The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1898-01-08

SAN QUENTIN PRISON, Gala, Jan.
7.-when William Henry Theodore Dur
rant died on the gallows this morning for
the murder OF Blanche Lamont ne gave
ouch an exhibition OF coolness and nerve
as has seldom been seen under similar
circumstances. Hopeful almost to the
very last minute that something or some
one would intervene to save him. he
walked to the seaffold this morning and
made his little speech protesting his in
nocenee as calmly and with Us distinct
enunciation as II he had been addressing
an assemblage OF friends upon some or
dinary topic Of the day. HIS race was
pale, mis- eyes were red, but his voice was
firm and no stood as solidly as rock
while he proclaimed his innocence and
professed forgiveness to those who' ne
said, had houaded him 10 death.
There was not hitch or accident to
mar the plans Of Warden Hale in carry
ing out the sentence OF the law. ihe
moose was adjusted, the trap was sprung,
the stou: rope held and Durrant's dead
body 6angled at the end. The neck was
broken BY, the fall OF five feet. and fifteen
minutes later the murderer's body was
cut down and placed In the coffin.
In spite of the exciting events OF last
night, when Durrant was besleged by
newspaper reporters and talked TO ms
parents until 1I:30 p. m, he rested easily
tluriug the night, and shortly after 6
o'clock ne awoke and pade his guards
good morning. Warden Hale had pro-
yidsd a new suit of dark material in
honor OF the occasion and these clothes
Durrant quickly donned. He noticed the
absence OF collar and neck-tie, however,
and knowing f,ill well the reason for
their omission he asked for them. ex-
planning that a turn down collar would
not interfere with the moose. Then he
sat down to a most excellent breakfast
and ate heartily. During the early
morning hours Durrant did not have
much 10 say beyond expressing desire
that no newspaper men should be allow-
ed to see him.
Cons.sten. to the lass, Durrant died
protesting religion.
But he died, accepting at the last mo-
merit the comforts OF the Catholic church
instead Of those OF the Baptist church, IN
which he was reared.
Rev. RAIDER, Protestant minister. had
arranged to ascend the scaffold with Dur
rant, but the minister would not say that
he Thought Durrant innocent. and the
condemned man declined to accept his
services unless RAIDER Drofessed belief In
his innocence. Then It was that the once
ardent Baptist turned to the Catholic
church for consolation and called upon
Father Lagan, n priest who had IRE
quently visited him IN prison.
Father Lagan responded promptly and
performed the last solemn rites OF the
church. Durrant remained in close con-
sultation with the priest and seemed TO
be deeply Interested in the impressive
ceremony As the hour OF the execution
approached the prisoner became some
what restless. His father and mother
were admitted to bid him las. farewell.
The elder Durrant grasped his son by
the hand and the young man turned TO
comfort his mother, who cried hysserl-
cally. Durrant embraced her tenderly,
saying: THE hour has come for US to
par:," and put her gently away. The
grief stricken mother was led TO a pri-
| ynte room where she remained until az
ter the execution. The father, however.
went 10 the execution room and support
ed by two friends, saw his son meet his
dhsfh X