The Goodland republic. [volume] (Goodland, Kan.) 1891-1907, 1895-04-19
cALMNEss OF puBANT.
BE Keeps His Nerves Undsr EzseIIen
ooniFoI-Tnquest Commence.


CopiFaI-Tnquest Commences.
san FRANCIsco, April I7.-Theodore
DaTant keeps his nerves under excellent
control. During his waking hours he
gives little sign Of trepidition even when
undergoing severe ordeals of examine
ton and accusation. His ealmnsss is
characterized as cold blooded by physi.
clans. His slumbers, however, are not
SO peaceful, Since his incarceration he
has not passed an hour in quiet sleep.
When he closes his eyes he invariably
becomes the victim Of nightmare, and
groans and cries in terror.
Durant announced that he would not
attend the coroner's inquest over the re-
mains Of Marian Williams, but recon-
sidered his resolution and concluded to
be present, dressing at the request of
the police in the garments he had worn
on the night that Marian Williams is
supposed to have been killed. Thestreets
leading to the morgue were densely
packed with a ,morbidly curious crowd.
To prevent an attack by the mob Dur
ant was taken from the city hall to the
old prison an hour before the time set
for the inquest. Even at an early hour
the crowd was large and angry. Moth
ing but the presence Of a strong force Of
policemen who mingled with the mob
and suppressed every attempt at demon
stration, prevented an attack. The
greatest bitterness is everywhere mani
tested towards Durant, especially by
women.
Pastor of the Church Testifes.
Durant passed through the throng Of
people with his head bowed down. His
father, who had preceded the prisoner,
came forward and shook hands with his
son. Durant carried into the inquest
chamber book on medical jurisprud-
ence which he effected to read. He
finally closed it and devoted his atten-
ton to the testimony. Police officers
described the finding of the body of
Miss Williams, its mutilated condition,
its disheyeled clothing and the blood
spattered floor on which it lay. Rev.
NJ. George Gibson, pastor of Emanuel
church, described the position of the re.
mains, and told of the reception last
Friday night when Durant appeared
late with flushed face and clothing
disarranged.
Frank a, Sademan, the iauitor. de-
scribed Durant's care of the electric APP
planes and his peculiar conduct after
Blanche LamOnt's disappearance.
Some Sensational Testimony
The most sensational testimony of
the day, however, was given by Clark
II. Morgan, at whose home in Alameda
Miss Williams resided. He stated that
Durant had called at his house and en-
deavOred to persuade Marian to accom-
pany him to the city, as he had some
thing important to talk about. She de-
clined to go, however, remarling that
he conId see her at the church reception
On Friday night. Morgan then related
how Durant had called to see Minnie
Sumner and induced her to 60 out with
him. He took her to a secluded spot in
Fruityale and there made a base propo-
sal to her. justifying it by specious ar
guments, based on his alleged love for
her and promising that by means of his
medical knowledge he would be able to
save her from any unpleasant conse-
quences. The girl Indignantly repulsed
him and afterwards narrated the cir
cumstances to Morgan.
Important Discovery In the Church.
A squad Of police resumed their search
in Emanuel church for further traces of
Blanche Lamont's murderer. Under a
beam in the roof of the church the girls
shoes were found. Her school books
were discovered secreted between the
plaster and the framing. The discovery
is important, showing that Miss Lamont
did not 60 home from school after her
meeting with Duraht. Blanche's miss
ing glove and a hat pin were also found
secreted on the roof. Police Detective
Anthony has identified Durant as the
man who IS months ago took the
daughter Of an ex-pOhceman to San
Jose and then betrayed her. After re-
turning here Anthony says Durant
forced the girl to become an inmate Of a
disreputRble house. The police now be-
lieve Durant intended to burn the church
and so destroy the evidence Of his crimes.