The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1898-01-13
DIED PROTESTING INNOCENCE
CHARGED HE WAS PERsECUTED
AND THAT THE PRESS OF SAN
FRANCISCO HOUNDED HIM
TO THE GRAVE.
THE STORY OF HIS HORRIBLE CRIME
Noble and Intelligent, but Fruitless,
Efforts oe His Able Attorneys to
Save Him-Half a Score of
Other Hnngings to APP
pease the Law.


pease the Law.
r -
San Quentin Prison, Cal, Jan. 1.-THE
morning of Theodore Durrant's last day
broke with q cloudless sky. The pris-
oner retired at midnight and by o'clock
was sound asleep. He rested quietly all
night, without disturbing the death watch
in any way. At 6:15 he awoke, and bid
ding the guards good morning, dressed
himself in a neat suit of black provided
for the execution No collar and no neck
tie were provided, as they would have
to be remny' when the moose was placed
around his neck. Durrant noticed the
omission, and at his request Capt. Edgar
ordered the missing articles of attire sent
up to him.
When Durrant awoke this morning he
was apparently greatly refreshed by his
nights sleep, which had been sound and
peaceful throughout the night His last
night upon earth had been one of excite
ment, as he had been visited by his
parents, a minister and newspaper men
! for some hours end d'i not retire until
midnight, half an hour after his mother
had left him.
Immediately after he awOke he babe
his guards good morning and without
the slightest trace of nervousness pro-
ceeded to dress with the clothing pro-
vided for his last appearance. This con-
sisted of neat fitting suit of black.
1t was characteristic of the prisoner,
who has always been scrupulously neat
and dapper in his attire, that he should
object to the white socks provided by
the Jail authorities and demanded 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 breakfast
was brought in by eating heartily and
with evident relish of steak, toast and
fruit. After dressing and eating his last
meal, Durrant read chapter from his
Bible and then received n visit from
Capt. Edgar, to whom he expressed a
desire to deliver a short address from
the scaffold. Shortly afterwards Mrs.
Durrant called at the prison and was
admitted to the death chamber for last
interview with her son. Their meeting
was an affecting one, although both
strOve to maintain their composure. Rev.
Edward Davis, who had publicly an
nounced his intention to accompany Dur
rant upon the scaffold was not admitted
to the prison this morning by Warden
Hale and as the prisoner refused to see
either Chaplain brahms or Rev. William
Bader, the protestant clergymen who Wis
tied him recently, it was decided both by
the prisoner and his mother that Rev.
Father Lagan should be sent for. This
was done and the priest at once respond
ed and made the necessary arrangements
for the introduction of Durrant into the
Catholic faith.
At $50 a. m, Warden Hale visited the
death chamber for the purpose of read
ing the death warrant to the condemned
man, who listened TO the well known
sentences of that document with respect
full attention and no outward sign of
fear.
When it was finally decided that Dur
rant should accept the Catholic faith, his
parents met Father Lagan in the war
den's office and accompanied him to the
death chamber. where the prisoner was
given extreme JUNCTION and the Catholic
service 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 the march to the
scaffold.
On the arrival of the first train from