The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1898-01-08
HANGING OF DURRANT.
Remarkable Exhibition Of Nerveby
the California Murderer.
DIED PROTESTING HIS INNOCENCE

In a Speech From the scafold lie
-Forgave Those Who "Hounded Him
to the Grave''-Condemned Mans
Father Witnessed the Execution.
San Quentin, Cal, Jan. 8.-When WILL
lam Henry Theodore Durrant died on
the gallows yesterday for the murder
of Blanche Lamont he gave an exhi-
biticn of GOODNESS and nerve such as has
seldom been seen under similar circum-
stances. Hopeful almost to the very
last minute that something would in
tervene to save him, he walked to the
scaffold and made a speech protesting
his innocence as calmly and with as
distinct enunciation as if he had been
addressing an assemblage Of friends
upon some ordinary topic. His face
was pale, his eyes were red, but his
voice was firm, and he stood as solid
ly as rock while he proclaimed his
innocence and professed forgiveness to
those who. he said, had bounded him
to death.
There was not a hitch or accident
to mar the plans of Warden Hale in
carrying out the sentence. The moose
was adjusted, the trap sprung. the
stout rope held and Durrant's dead
body dangled at the end. The neck
was broken by the fall OF four feet,
and FIVE minutes later the murderer's
body was cut down and placed in the
coffin.
In spite of the exciting events of
Thursday night, when Durrant was
besieged by newspaper reporters and
talked to his parents until 1880 p. M,
he rested easily during the night, and
shortly after 6 o'clock he awoke and
bade his guards good morning. War
den Hale had provided a new suit of
clothing Of dark material, and these
Durrant quickly donned. He noticed
the absence Of the collar and necktie,
however, and knowing full well the
reason for the omission he asked for
them, explaining that turn down col
lar would not interfere with the moose.
Then he sat down to breakfast and
ate heartily. During the early morn
ing hours Durrant did not have much
to say beyond expressing desire that
to see him. This request was complied
with.
Consistent to the last, Durrant died
protesting religion. But he died ac-
cepting at the last moment the COM
forts Of the Catholic church, instead of
those of the Baptist faith, in which he
was reared. Rev. Mr.. RAIDER, Protest.
ant minister had arranged to ascend
the scaffold with Durrant, but the min
lister would not say that he thought
Durrant innocent, and the condemned
professed belief in his innocence. Then
it was that the once ardent Baptist
turned to the Catholic church for con-
ISOLATION, and called upon Father La
gan, a priest who had frequently Wis
tied him in prison, to attend him.
Father Lagan responded and perform
ed the last solemn rites of the church.
Durrant remained in close consulta-
ton with the priest, and seemed to be
deeply interested in the impressive GER
emonies.
As the hour of the execution ap-
preached the prisoner became some
what restless. His father and mother
were admitted to bid him last fare
well. The elder Durrant grasped his
son by the hand, and the young man
then turned to comfort his mother, who
cried Historically. Durrant embraced
her tenderly, and saying, 1.-The hour
has come for us to part" put her gently
away. The grief stricken mother was
led to private room, where she re-
manned until after the execution. The
father. however, went to the execution
room and, supported by two friends,
saw his son meet death.
At 1924 o'clock Durrant accompanied
by Father Lagan, appeared at the door
Of the execution room. He was fol-
lowed by his father, a friend, Warden
Hale and the guards. The father and
his friend walked around the gaIows
to the front. while Durrant and his
keepers climbed to the gallows plat
form. Instantly on arriving at the
gallows Durrants legs and arms were
pinioncd and the rope was placed
about his neck. The hangman was
about to adjust the black cap when
Durrant announced his desire to speak.
Permission was given, and the doomed
murderer spoke as follows:
Il desire to say that, although I am
an innocent man, innocent of every
crime that has been charged against
me, bear no luminosity towards those
that have prosecuted me, not even the
press Of San Francisco, which bounded
me to the grave. If any man thinks
am going to spring a sensational
am not, except 1t Is a sensation that l
am an innocent man, brought to the
grave by my prosecutors. But I for
give them all. They will get their JUS
tice from the great God, who Is mas
ter Of MS ALL and there also expect
to get justice--that is, the justice of an
innocent man. Whether or not the per-
pstrators Of the crime of which, I am
charged are discovered, 1t will make
no difference tome now, but I say this
day will be a shame to the great state
of California forgive everybody who
has prosecuted me, an innocent man.
whose hands have never been stained
with blood, and 20 to meet my God
witt forgiveness for all men,"
The words were delivered slowly and
distinctly and without emphasis. The
eager crowd of spectators grouped
closer to the wooden framework, that
they might not lose a word Of what
was being said. Not a sound could be
heard except the even tones of the man
about to die. Durrant had scarcely
ceased speaking when the black cap
was placed over his face. At the same
instant Hangman Lunt raised his
hand. the trap was sprung, and with
rattle DuTrant's body shot through the
opening.
In just II minutes and % seconds all
signs Of life had vanished. The body
was allowed to hang for IS minutes.
when 1t was cut down and placed in
black coffin. Then, accompanied by the
parents. 1t was taken to San Francisco.
1t Is not yet known what disposition
OF the body will be made, as Durrant's
parents have been so far unable to
secure permission to inter the body in
any Of the local cemeteries. 1t is very
l.. u l..