The record-union., 1898-01-08
DURRANT HANGED
AT SAN QUENTIN.

newspaper Reporters anu tdlktu " hiS
parents till 11:30 p. M, he rested easily
during the night, and shortly after q
o'clock he awoke and bade his guards
good-morning, and without the slight
est trace Of nervousness proceeded to
dress in the clothing provided for his
last appearance. This consisted Of a
neat-fitting suit of black, but in order
to avoid the necessity of removing
them Warden Hale had not supplied
the prisoner with either collar or neck
tie. The omission of these articles was
at once noted by Durrant, and at his
request they were sent up to the con-
demned cell by Captain Edgar. 1t was
characteristic Of the prisoner, who has
always been scrupulously neat in his
attire, that he should object to the
white socks provided by the Jail au-
thorities, and demand black ones, which
were also given him.
During the act of dressing Durrant
was much less nervous than his guards,
whom he surprised, when his break
fast was brought in, by eating heartily
and with evident relish of steak, ham
and eggs, toast and fruit. After dis
cussing his last meal Durrant read
chapter from his Bible, and then re-
ceived a visit from Captain Edgar, to
whom he expressed a desire to deliver
a short address from the scaffold.
During the early morning Durrane
did not have much to say beyond ex-
pressing a desire that no newspaper
men should be allowed to see him. This
request was complied with.
At $50 o'clock Warden Hale visited
the death chamber for the purpose Of
reading the oath warrant to the con-
demned man, who listed to the we'll
known contents of that document with
respectful attention, but with no out
ward sign of fear
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. RAIDER, Protestant
minister, had arranged to ascend the
scaffold with Durrant, but the minister
would not say that he thought Dur
rant innocent, and the condemned man
declined to accept his services.
Then it was that the once ardent
Baptist turned to the Catholic Church
for consolation, and called upon Father
Lagan, a priest who had frequently
visited him in prison, to attend him.
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 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 poung man
then turned to comfort his mother, who
cried Historically. Durrant embraced
her tenderly, and saying, sThe hour has
come for US to part" put her gently
away. The grief-stricken mother was
led to private room, where she re-
mained until after the execution. The
father however, went to the execution
room, and supported by two friends.
saw his son meet his death.
Warden Hale did not attempt to hur
ry matters. but allowed all possible
time for the Supreme Court at Wash
ington to take some action Finally,
when word was flashed across the con-
tinent that the Supreme Court had
declined to interfere, the Warden or
dered the programme of the day to be
carried out.
Shortly after 10 o'clock the stream
of curious humanity began to pour into
the flower-decked prison yard, where a
fountain gaily played. The sky was
cloudless and it seemed like a peaceful
summer scene. Not a convict was Wis
ible all being behind lock and key.
Across the garden and up three flights
Of rickety stairs, into the upper story
of an abandoned factory building the
people poured Among those who We're
entitled to pass through the double
gates were many men prominent
throughout the State, physicians and
county officials largely predominating.
No women were permitted to enter be-
yond the first portal
At 1924 O'Clock the frail door that
guards the threshold of the gallows
room swung open, and the little party
conducting Theodore Durrant TO the
gallows, entered. Father Lagan led,
draped in cassock and surplice, and
chanting the prayers for the dying.
Durrant, his father, friend, Warden
Hale and the guards followed. The
father and his friend left the party
and walked around the gallows to the
front while the condemned man and
his escort climbed the thirteen steps
that led TO the platform and the wait
ing trap.
At last Theodore Durrant stood upon
the gallows. The man gave no sign
of weakening. His slight figure was
erect as though it had been his mar
riage morning The broad leathern
strap that bound his arms to his sides
allowed his wrists some play and his
fingers rested lightly on the strap. Five
minutes later. when his body was
swinging like a pendulum beneath the
trap. the fingers, now all blue and
chilled looking, still rested where he
had placed them as he left the cell.
Instantly on arriving on the gallows
the rope was placed about his neck
The murderer held his chin high in the
air To make room for the stiff new
line knotted in the peculiar fashion OF
the hangman. Durrant's face was
pale, but IL was not the ashy paleness
Of terror Tt was the white face OF a
man who, knowing that he has a mo-
mentous thing TO do. is resolved to do
it like a man.
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 fol-
lows.
II desire to say that, although / am
an innocent man, innocent of every
crime that has been charged against
me, bear no animoSity toward those
that have prosecuted me. not even the
press of San Francisco. which has