New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-01-08
DTRPANT HANGED AT LAST.
He PROTESTS HIS INNOCENCE ON THE
scAFFoLo-BAPTIZED BY = CATH
nIIr PRIEST

DLlC IRlESI
San Quentin. Cal. Jan. 7.-wnlara Henry Theo-
dore Durrant was executed e. 1913 O'Clock TINS
morning in the State Peniienuary. He asosnde1
the scafoid calmly in company with Father Lasen
having been baptized into the Catholic taith Garner
in the day He made brief speech. asserting his
Innocence and forgiving those who ha1 pefssoulen
him His deslh appeared n be painless. me
neck was broken by the fall
On leaving his cell Durrant was accompanied by
his father. friend. Warden Hale and the guards
The father ana his friend left the party and walked
around the eallows TO the front while the con-
dernred man ard his escort climbed the thirteen
steps that led 70 the platform. The rope haVlhg
been adjusted the hangman turned 10 get the nlacE
cap. when Durrant Whispered reQuest 70 e a.
lowed to speak He said
I desire 10 say that although ! an an tnnocent
man innocent Of every crime that has been charged
against me- bear no sninosity toward those mat
have nersscuted me. not even the press q san
Francisco, which bounded me 10 the grave i any
man thinks going 70 spring sensauon-l am
not except Il is q sensation that an an innocent
man brought 10 the grave by my persecutors But
forgive them ali. They Will get their justice from
the great God. who Is master Of US all, ana "hete
also expec: 10 get justice that is the justice o.
an innocent man. Whether or noi the perpetrators
Of the crime Of which am charged are discovered
it will make no difference 10 me nov, but say ms
day will be shame to the great Stare o. Cali
fornia forgive everybody who has prosecuted
ne an innocent mar. whose hands have never Zen
stained win blood and 80 10 meet ny Hod viii
forgiveness for all men" $1,000, -.
Durrant BEGAN 20 speak At lo;3s ana cesssi -
JOS The CAP was Immediately drawn Down ana
the trap sprung In eleven minutes ana twenty
eight seconds the was pro1ounced aeaq CO.,
Mrs. Durrant did witness thc execution S,le
remained with her son until fifteen minutes oelore
The end she watched Father Lagan DapIize MN
into the Catholic Church, and was then LED, Weep
ing out OF the prison by two guards ,
Eight other nnurderers are confined IN san Queitlh
whose fate depended on the efforts maze ny pt.-
rants attorneys n his hehsh They were al ~
pared 10 follow the same tactics for oeIay, o'5t
now that the courts have shown thai l. Is poss.o4e
10 hang Z murderer n California they nave gwen
Blanche Lamont. for whose murder Durrant was
Condemned 10 death disappeared on April ;. 1870
from her home IN san Francisco. TOT ten Gays no
trace Of her could be found. on April lo the oo1y
Of the girl WAS found on landing n the oeliry OF
Emmanuel Church. III that city; finSer-naTks On
be- throat Indicated thai she hsd been st-aneled
Many things pointed to Durrant, who was ASSISTANT
suDerjrtendeni OF the Sunday-schoo.. and medical
his rial began Juy q, 1N3. ana lasted until 10
vernher / a verdict Of guilty was returned ana
he Wa sentenced 70 be hanged on February q 100
\ series Of appeals TO the STATE and edera coL.,s
Including the United States Supreme Court, resulte-
in STAYS OF execution. so that IN all ne was sen
fenced al four different times Durrant was also
accussd OF the murder c. Minnie Williams. whose
dead body was found in tne library o. Emmanuei
Church previous 10 the finding or the DodN OF
Blanche Lamont, but lie Was not tried for tnat
crime.