The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-01-08

witness.
y am. may say, Catholic. think 1
snail send for Father Lagan.' remarked
Durrant unconcernediy. ''It is no, that |
care for crecds. bur for faith---the faith
that has sustained mo In my awful posi-
ton.
II am" he continued. extraordinarily
happy--so much ut peace that DO not care
| TO go over any OF the old ground. tae long.
long story which has been told so many
Times The case is ended and am satisfied
that everything has been done for me that
i could be done for me by my lawyers II
would bo weak and childish for me 10 say
! at This time that have not had fair trial.
/ II should make such plea the public
| would reply, That is what they all say
My only sorrow Is for those leave behind.
God has mo in His keeping aud He makes
no Mistakes
| The dawn of Theodore Durrant's last day
broke with a cloudiess sky. The prisoner
retired at midnight and by / O'clock was
| sound asleep. He rested quietly all sight
| without disturbing the death watch In
any way At 6;l5 he awoke and bidding
the guards good morning dressed himself
in neat suit of black provided FOR the
execution. No collar and no necktio was
J provided, as they would have to be re-
moved when the moose was placed around
| his neck. Durrant noticed the omission
and at bis request Captain Edgar ordered
| the missing articles of attire sent UP TO
! him.
| When Dnrrant awoke This morning no
/ 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 extreme
quiet Immediately after he awoke he babe
| his guards good morning and without the
| slightest trace of nervousness proceeded
| TO dress In the clothing provided for his
| last appearance. This consisted of neat
| fitting suit OF black. 1t WAS characteristics
of the prisoner, who has always been neat
and dapper in his attire, that he should
object to white socks provided by the Jail
authorities and demand black ones. During
the act of dressing Durrant was much less
nervous than his guards, whom he sur
prised when his breakfast was brought IN,
by eating heartily and with evident relish
of steak, toast and fruit
After discussing his last meal Durraut
read a chapter from his Bible and then
| received a visit from Captain Edgar. to
whom he expressed a desire to deliver Il
short address from the scaffoid.
Shortly afterward Mrs Durrant called
at the prison and was admitted TO The
death chamber for Il last Interview with
her son. There was an affecting scene. Rev.
Edward Davis. who lad publicly an
nounceo his intention to accompany Dur
rant upon the scaffoid was not admitted
TO the prison by Warden Hale. and as the
prisoner refused to see either Chaplain
Madras or Rev. William RAIDER. thn Pro-
testant clergymen who visited him recent
ly, It was decided by the prisoner and his
mother that Rev Father ligan should
preside. The priest at once rcslandei and
made the necessary arrangements for The
Introduction of Durrant into the Catholic
faith, 49,
At $3.50 Warden Hale visited the death
chamber for the purpose of reading the
death sentence to the condemned man,
who listened To the well known sentence
OF that description with respectful atten-
lion and not outward show of fear. when
it was finally ended Durrant said he would |
accept the Catholic faith, His parents met
Father Ligan in the warden's Office and |
accompanied him to the death chamber, |
where the prisoner was given extreme |
JUNCTION and the Catholic service per- |
formed. Durrant evidenced the most In |
tense interest. He then conversed with his |
parents for n few minutes and shortly ar |
ter 10 O'Clock babe them farewell for the |
last time and prepared for the march to
the scaffold.
On the arrival of the train to San Quen
was filled with people, including many OF |
those who held Invitations as well as others
attracted by curiosity. Among them there
were many physicians and several officials
of various counties. DR.. William l.. Law
Ter prison surgeon selected the follow
ing physicians to assist him at the scat
fold:
DR. j. j. Jones, San Francisco; DIR. G.
Wickham, San Rafael; Dr. J. f.. Morse, San
Francisco and DR.. r. e. Williams of San
Francisco.
Among the first arrivals was Rev. RAIDER.
He stated that he would not see Durrant
II Rev. Edward Davis was 10 be present,
md he was at once informed that the gem
leman had decided not to attend.
Soon afterward the Raw. Father Ligan
lrove up from San Rafael in his own
buggy bespattered aud unassuming. He
was met by Warden Hale and was Mt once
Ishered within the gate.
AT 1924 o'clock the frail door that guards
he threshold of the gallows room swung
,pen and the little party conducting Dur
ant to the gallows entered with Father LII
,an In the lead, draped in cassock and sur
'lice and chanting the prayers for the dy-
ng nurrant, his father, friend, Warden
Iale and the guards followed. The father
md his friend left the place and walked
lrcund the galows to the front. while the
man and his escort climbed the
hreen steps that led to the platform, and
hen at last Theodore Durrant stood upon
he gallows.
He gave no signs OF weakening. His light
igure was as erect as .houg,; IL had been
lis marriage morning. The broad leather
trap that bound his arms 10 his side al
owed his wrists some play ard his fingers
os,ed lightly on the strap, Five minutes
alter. when his body was swinging like a
beneath the trap, the fingers.
low all blue and chilled looking. still rested
where he had placed dhem as he left the
ell
Instantly upon arriving upon the gailow~
he rope was kDottsd about his neck. The
murderer held his chin high In the air to
make room for the new line knoited in the |
sual privilege he condemned man was per-
nitted 10 wear low collar, opening in !
ront. and white satin tie His face was
ale, but 1t was not the ashy pallor Of ter
or II was the face Of man who. |