Phoenix weekly herald., 1898-01-13
The Murderer of Blanche La
mont and Minnie Williams
ESwung Into Eternity.
HISTORY OF THE CASE.
Two AtrOciOus Murders aud the
Most Tenacious Legal Struggle
For the Murderer's Re-
lease in the Annals
of Crime.


after 6 o'clock. He slept better than
for three nights and showed recovery
of nerve. He dressed himself in the
| dark suit in which he appeared at the
| trial and expressed desire to wear
| black stockings.
| San Quentin, Jan 7.-When W. II.
| L. Durrant awoke at 6:2O o'clock this
morning he was apparently greatly re-
freshed by his nights sleep, which
had been as sound and peaceful as
that of an infant. He had been visit
ed by his parents, minister and news
paper men for some hours before he
retired and did not retire until mid
| night, half an hour after his mother
had left him. Immediately after he
awoke he babe his guards good morn
J ing and without any trace of nervous
ness he proceeded to dress in the
clothing provided for his last appear
ance. In order to avoid the necessity
of removing them, Warden Hale had
not supplied the prisoner with either
collar or neck tie. The omission was
at once noted by Durrant, and at his
request they were sent up to the con-
demned cell by Captain Edgar Dur
ing the act of dressing, Durrant was
much less nervous than his guards,
whom he surprised, when his break
fast was brought in, by eating heart
| lily, and with evident relish of steak
ham, eggs and toast After discussing
his last meal, Durrant read a chapter
from his bible and then received a Wis
it from Captain Edgar, to whom he
expressed Il desire to deliver a short
address from the scaffold. Shortly af-
| terward Mrs. Durrant called at the
prison and was admitted to the death
chamber.
AT $50 o'clock Warden Hale visited
the death chamber for the purpose of
reading the death warrant to the con-
demned man, who listened to the well
known contents of that document with
respectful attention, but with no out
ward sign of fear. When it was fin
ally decided that Durrant should ac-
cept the Catholic faith his parents met
the Father in the Warden's office and
/
Der, where the prisoner was given ex-
| IRENE JUNCTION and the Catholic service
was performed. Durrant evidenced the
most lively interest in the service.
He then conversed with his parents
for a few minutes and shortly after
10 O'Clock babe them farewell for the
| last time and prepared for his march
to the gallows.
San Quentin Prison, Jan. 7.-On the
| arrival of the first train from San
Francisco, the open space in front of
the prison gate rapidly filed up with
people, including many of those who
| held invitations to the execution as
the curious. Among the throng were
many physicians and several officials
of various counties. DR.. W. NJ. Law
Ter, prison surgeon selected the follow
ing physicians to assist him at the
scaffold: DR.. J. I. Jones. San Rafeal:
DR.. D. Wickham, San Rafeal; DR.. J.
F. Morse, San Francisco, and DR.. L
Williams, San Francisco.
San Quentin, 9:04 a. m, Jan. +
Captain Egar was the first person tc
visit Durraflt- after breakfast Ward
en- Hale addressed the newspaper men
saying: mo on shall carry fire arms |
or use tobacco. Anyone violating |
decorum will be elected Mrs. Dur |
rant has gone to the death chamber |
for the last interview with the con- |
demned man. Warden Hale has for
hidden the Rev. Edward Davis to en-
ter the prison. Durrant refuses to see
either Protestant clergyman and has
sent for Father Lagan. who is now
with him and his mother. Warden
Hale has just gone to the death
chamber to read the warrant.
9:33 a. m.-The area in front of the
prison is crowded with people. Ward
en- Hale has refused to issue another
pass and has entered the prison.
$50 a. m.-Chaplain Dhrams has en-
tered to visit Durrant
1904 a. m.-The hearse has arrived
at the prison.
1914 a. m.-He is making a speech
protesting his innocence.
He is deadly pale and trembling and
needs support.
1926 a. m.-Durrant was hanged at !
1896 a. m.
1919 a. m.-Durrant was prOnOunc .
I'd dead in fifteen minutes.
Durrant died a Catholic. 4,
As Durrant hesitated in his address
Hangman Lunt raised the black cap +
Ind then Durrant set his jaws firmly O
md lifted his eyes to heaven. His
lands twitched as the moose was adj 7
usted. The next instant the signal
vas given and the trap fell.
At 1927 the gates of the prison had :
.losed on the last men who should c
witness the hanging. The crowd had II
in the cold bare room adj t
dining the place of execution. Not v
until nearly 1870 sharp did the iron h
Ioors that separate the scaffold from b
he larger apartment, swing open, to '
Omit the visitors. The ceremony WIS
cry simple. The audience - no
Ooner entered the room than silence IL
ell upon the gathering. The door of /
he condemned cell cIanked and in Il d
raction of n minute thereafter War n
en- Hale. closely followed by Father W
.agan and the prisoner led between lie
Guards aOtQrad Tho Warden | St