Daily capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1896-1899, 1898-01-07
Durrant's Last Hours.

the eve of tue execution Of Theodore
Durrant the only Indication of the
final scene in his life tragedy are the
presence of the grim gallOws near the
condemned cell and of the unusual
number Of civilians present who are To
witness the hanging.
Durrant passed the day as he has
spent the most of days lately, reading
the Bible, praying aud pacing TO and
fro across the condemned cell. Chap
lain Dranms administered spiritual
consolation this morning the prisoner
joining him in prayer.
In speaking OF the Durrant case,
General Dickinson, Of DurranLs
counsel, said:
"No one will have permission to in
terview the condemned man be-
fore he is hanged as have authority
in the matter and have given strict
orders that no one shall see him. II
the unfortunate man must die, l be
| lieve in letting him spend his last
hours in peace, and will not submit
TO having him pestered. If anyone
permits him To be seen it VIII not
only be contrary to orders, but also a
violation Of faith ana the breaking Of
solemn promise"
At the FevuesU of Durrant, an As
sociated Press staff correspondent was
brought to the cage.like structure,
surrounded by d close wire netting,
in which the condemned man is con-
fined. His mother sat outside con.
versing with her son in whispers
Durrant locked well, but his eyes
were red from weeping, and his lips
were parcned
The failure of the various moves IN
his behalf was referred to.
ut was great surprise, but l am
preparedlforit," replied Durrant.
elbow do you feel?
"Hopeful, buoyant and ready to
meet my maker" answered the con-
demned murderer. ~ know the Lord
is with me. No one knows what faith
is until it is tried. l am going toa
judge who has never committed a
committed wrong and who cannot.
My faith has been so st,ong that l
have been kept up and have been
sustained to the end"
Then turning to his mother, he said:
"Mother, have come to the con-
clusion that it needs trial to know
God, and you may say that to the
world" he added.
A sudden thought seemed to strike
DuIIduU, lOl dS uC duuCu III q ulllSlCuO
tone from the accents of his previous
remarks:
~ have had offers of remuneration
for a talk with me from the East. l
have three or four kilograms.
"All Of his words are of grert value, >
interrupted his mother.
On the subject of compensation be-
ing bronght up, Durrant was promptly
cautioned to say no more. He was
willing to comply, but his mother be-
ing called away for moment, he re-
sumed in his former strain:
Il will make no reference to the
past-all will be made clear, if not in
this this world, then in the next. l
feel that / am perfect in Christ y
What will you say at the last? he
was asked,
This was different question, but
the answer was quick and in tirmer
voice than he had been using:
Il shall only proclaim my innocence
LOUDLY, strenuously," answered Dur.
rant.
"Make this as strong as you please.
L will not falter at the end. L will
die braYely, knowing l am going to a
better world. thank God my hands
are clean, nOt.stained with blood, but
the fair name OF California will stand
stained with crime that can never
be wiped out-the blood OF an innocent
man-say, boy"
Durrant prepared TO retire, telling
Captain Edgar that he wanted To set
some sleep before morning.