The San Francisco call., 1898-01-11

There is a general impression that Durrant just before he stepped on the tran of the scaffold confessed his guilt of the Emmanuel Church murders to Rev. Father Lagan, the Catholic priest who stood by him in his dying hours. If he did or if he did not the world will never know it. The reverend father says Durrant always protested his in nocence to him. and makes an excuse for him even if he died with a lie on his lips Father Lagan tells of his con- nection with the hanged man as fol- lows.
 T have gained more notoriety in this case than l anticipated or thought of. said Father Lagan yesterday. and great deal more than any priest can relish or desire. As a great many peo- pie do not seem to understand the un- expected conversion of Durrant to the Catholic faith on the morning of his death I will simply state the facts of the case and the matters that led up to his conversion.
 "I never saw Durrant until met him at San Quentin. I never read more than three columns of the history of his case as 1t was published in the pa pers. When he came to San Quentin I called on him al I call on all the un- fortunates who are taken there ire spective of race or religion, and he re- ceived me kindly and told me of his happy experiences with Father Jacquet, who called on him frequently in the County Jail in San Francisco. I called occasionally after that first meeting, but we rarely talked of matters of re- ligion at our meetings.
 Tn the beginning of our acquaint- ance we never discussed religious sub jects. About nine months ago he told me that he desired to have a Catholic Bible, and he asked me to mark for him the special passages that refer to the great controversial questions between the Catholics and the non-Catholics. I gave him the Bible and pointed out to him some of the principal passages which he wished to study and investi- gate. I also gave him Cardinal Gib- bons' book of Faith of Our Fathers ' and some other books explanatory of the Catholic faith and practices. For months afterward religion was not mentioned between us. As Durrant's confidence grew in me he became more confidential and talked more freely or various matters, particularly regard ing his religious convictions. He com plained of receiving unkind treatmen from his own ministers and clergymer and I advised him to send for them anC have an understanding. I have never yet asked any condemned man in Sar Quentin to join the Catholic faith anC I would not make an exception witt Durrant. He asked me on few Oc casions to explain the Catholic doctrine of religious confession and sacramento absolution. He inquired particularly about our devotions to the Mother o- God and about purgatory and severa other questions of Catholic teaching. think I explained them to his satisfac- ton.
 During his occupation of the con- denned cell in November last did not visit him. After he returned to his old cell in the main building I called or him and he asked me why did not gc to see him at that time I told hin he knew perfectly well the reason. | I had gone to see him he might thinl I was following him to convert him tC Catholicism On that occasion he tolC me he was thoroughly convinced of thu principal teaching of the Catholic cnurcn ana Sdlu- can become Catholic now. In my present position I will be misrepresented and misunder stood. I said, MT. Durrant I hav' never asked you to embrace the Catho lie faith. If you are honest in you present convictions you should follow them to the logical end"
 T saw him again on the Sunda, after Christmas. The conversation naturally turned to the same subject I advised him to read and pray fo Gods guidance and direction. I say him again on the Wednesday befor his execution in the condemned cell Rev. Dr. Rader and Prison Chaplain Drahms were just after visiting him He expressed sorrow that 1 did no come earlier in the day. He said thing might have been different. l replied 'Durrant, you are in good hands an all right. If the worst comes, die lik a man in peace with God and tn world
 That was the last saw of him un til I was summoned on the morning o the execution. l went immediately t San Quentin and discharged my dut to the best of my ability to the unfor tunate man. l stayed with him to tn last moment and stood over his hang ing body till the doctors pronounce life extinct.
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