The San Francisco call., 1895-11-03
DURRANTS CELLMATE.
What He Thinks of the Convicted
Murderer of Blanche Lamont.

What He Thinks of the Convicted
Murderer of Blanche Lamont.
Durrant was once more alone in his old
cell, No. %, last night. Up to 3 80 p. NJ.
yesterday he had enjoyed the companion
ship of James Sargent in the latters cell,
No. 2T. DuTrant and Sargent seemed to
pass the time pleasantly enough together.
sargent is awaiting trial for the forgery
OF H. L. Middleton's 5 name to a $500 check
on the Donohoe-Kelly Banking Company
At the time he is said to have committed
the forgery he was employed By Mr. Mid.
dleton as bookkeeper. His arrest occurred
several weeks ago.
He is little taller that Durrant, equally
as polite and only little more communi-
cative.
1t just seemed for a while yesterday as if
Durrant and Sargent were possessed OF an
equal degree of caution, but after Durrant
was placed back in his old cell Sargent felt
freer to talk; that is. he talked of his own
case, but what he said of Durrant did not
amount to much either one way or the
other
And he would only talk of himself when
assured that TIE CALL was not seeking to
take advantage of any unfortunate and
was not in the business of prosecuting any,
body or interfering with any prisoners
chances. Then he told of the circum-
stances OF the charge against himself and
little OF his past history.
Time and time again during the day he
had refused to say word about Durrant,
but IN the evening he did go far enough to
say that Durrant was an agreeable COM
panion so long as his company lasted.
Did Durrant discuss the trial? According
TO Sargent, no.
Did he commit himself in any way?
Not III the least, so Sargent said. All Sar-
gent could say was what any ordinary OBJ
server might have said-that Durrant ap-
peared to take things with cheerful
philosophy; gossiped about ordinary mat
ters ike any other man; seemed just as
hopeful as ever, and was every bit as care
ful not to commit himself by word or
any manifestation of emotion.
What Sargent's opinions might be of
Durrant's guilt or innocence he took polite
care to keep TO himself and he can evade
or decline to answer a question fully as
gracefully and apologetically as Durrant.
81 m sure am not able to say anything
of interest about Mr.. Durrant," said
Sargent last night. Gan 1 can possibly
say is that be lay on that bunk and when
he got ready h went to sleep.
"Yes, we talked little about one thing
and another, but nothing OF any particular
interest. What we said any two men
thrown by chance into the same place
might have said-it was mostly small
taIk. ! really did not have time enough
TO become thoroughly acquainted with Mr..
Durrant. He seemed quite cheerful
under the circumstances and was as
agreeable as [ could wish any man to be.
can't possibly tell you anything OF in
terest."
This was ALL Even this much Sargent
allowed himself to comm unicate only with
reluctance, careful, however, not to offend
his interrogator, but firm in his evident
purpose not to say anything OF damage to
Durrant.
Once, for few minutes, while this inter-
view was in progress Durrant, put small
looking glass out through the wicket OF
his cell-only two doors away-and held it
so that he could see reflected in it the re-
porter at Sargent's wicket, and If possible
the face of Sargent. Durrant is genius
and jail Is school of ingenuity.
Before Durrant was put back into his
old cell it was thoroughly searched by
Deputy Jailer George Webb. Durrant's
fresco work CT columns and arches along
the walls is still its mains feature OF inter
est. Other than that it is the same as any
other cell, with its bunk, shelves and
clothes.
a careful search was made of Durrant
himself during the day-a search 70 the
skin. A small watch a pen and gull
toothpick were found on his person. but
that was all. Ii Durrant should ever en-
tertain suicidal intentionsH he is probably
as well posted on the possible ingenuity OF
suicide as any one with medical students
knowledge could be - perhaps little
more so.
He will be watched, however; that is,
Chief Jallex Sattler will see that an eye is