The silver blade. (Rathdrum, Idaho) 1895-1903, 1895-09-07
Startling Disclosure to Be Made
by a Former Bosom Friend.
A GIRLS HONOR AT STAKE
Clarence Wolfe. 1t Is Claimed, Will Tes.
tify to Boasts Of the Man
at the Bar.

at the Bar.
San Francisco. Sept. 4.-The Examin-
er says the prosecution in the Durrant
case has q witness whose testimony will
show a motive for the murders: some
thing that has been lacking heretofore
on account of Durrant's standing in
social and religious circles. The name
Of the witness is Clarence Wolfe and it
is said that he will swear that on April
2, the day before Blanche Lamont was
murdered, he and Theodore Durrant
held the conversation which explains
with terrible significance the young stu
dents motive for Turing the young girl
into the sanctuary. Wolfe has told the
police and will tell the jury that on the
afternoon of April 2, he and Durrant
held this conversation which meant so
much to the pretty girl whom both
knew only for a few months.
Durrant commented upon the beauty
OF Blanche Lamont. In q tone Of ex-
ultation, and not Of respect, he assured
Wolfe that she was a pure girl and that
he intended to rob her of that virtue
that she SO highly priced. The girl
priced her honor more than her life:
that explains the tragedy Of the follow
ing day.
This overwhelming testimony which
Wolfe will give has been kept a pro-
found secret by the prosecution The
defense and the public have believed
that the young man was friend Of the
accused and would take the stand only
to speak a good word for the man
whose life is at stake. Intimations
were given that Wolfe would be
dragged into the case in manner little
to his liking. There was no suspicion
that Durrant had confided to his friend
the lgnoble purpose which inspired
him. He spoke in words far palmer
than those which have been used. He
left no possible doubt of what he meant.
Inc source OF this evidence is, in the
opinion Of Captain Lees, one of the
strongest proofs Of it's reliability. Had
some one enjoying no more than sim
pie acquaintance with Durrant come
forward with it there might be some
doubt, but its sponsor here is one who
possessed the students confidence.
shared with him his pleasures and took
part in much of the daily routine of his
life. From his own circle his condem-
nation has come like thunderbolt.
one OF the most interesting and SEN
satlonal probabilities in the great case
which 10 now In progress is that the
attorney general, Fitzgerald, may be
called upon to make the closing argu-
ment FOR the state. The attorney GEN
eral Is known as one of the ablest GRIM
1nal lawyers in the state. He has been
member Of the supreme court of the
state and is thoroughly familiar with
every snag which awaits the pleader
In criminal law. It is urged that the
great public Importance of the case de-
mands his presence and active partici-
patton.
When the trial of Durrant for the
murder of Miss Lamont was resumed
today hundreds struggled to gain adj
mission to the court room. The corri-
doris of the city hall were crowded all
day with citizens anxious to hear the
evidence, but were unable to obtain
admittance.
The first witness today was c.. G. No
BILE, the uncle Of Blanche Lamont. He
testified to Blanche Lamont's disap-
pearance on the Sd of April and the
finding of her body in Emanuel church
on April H. The ossaexamination was
waived by the defense
The next witness was DR.. +. S. Bar
rett, autopsy physician at the morgue.
who described the autopsy he had
made upon the body of Blanche La
mont. He said her death was due to
asphyxiation. He said the asphyxia-
ton was caused by strangulation eff
fected by the hands of the murderer.
Except the finger-nail marks on her
throat, there was no other of assault to