The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-09-07
FOURTH DAY OF THE TRIAL
Blood Stains and Footprints in the
Belfry-Dare Identifies the
Clothing

There was good progress made in the
Durrant case yesterday, yet all the testi-
mony was Of a preliminary nature, and
the essence Of it might be summed up in
this sentence:
There were blood stains in the belfry,
also footprints in the dust on the floor of
the belfry, and in the rafters and under
the floor of the belfry was found the
wearing apparel of the murdered girl; the
broken door-knobs were found at the en-
trance to the belfry under the floor, and a
Ratchet was discovered in the roof-rafters.
Though yesterday was the fourth day of
the trial proper, the prosecution is still a
good distance from its testimony going to
prove that the prisoner in the dock, that
mild-mannered, well-bred little man, Will
liam Henry Theodore Durrant, is the ore
that committed this atrocious crime.
And this is not because there is a lacking
of such testimony, but because the prelim-
mary evidence thereto is so considerable.
Durrant withstood many a searching
glance yesterday as the wearing apparel
of the murdered girl was exhibited to the
jury and identified by Starr Dare. the man
who found it secreted in the belfry.
But Durrant never finched. He is i'm
pervious to everything, judging from out
ward appearances at least.
The nearest approach to sensation DUR
ing the morning session occurred when
Judge Murphy issued writ of attachment
for delinquent witness-Thomas Smith,
by name, one of the Deputy Coroners,
This came Just before adjournment, and
was an exceedingly mild sensation at best.
c. G. Noble was called to the stand when
court opened in the morning. He came to
complete his identification of the CHASTITY
remains found by Detective Gibson in the
belfry on that Sunday morning.
In cross-examination he was asked by
4 Attorney Dickinson whether there were
many persons present at the time. He
said there was not-only the officials. He
was asked some other questions concern
ing the appearance of the body, but these
questions elected nothing new.
Then Policeman Riehl came to the stand.
He corroborated the testimony given by
Detective Gibson about finding the body
in the belfry.
Upon cross-examination by Mr.. Dickin-
son. the witness said he saw what were
blood stains on the floor of the room at
the foot of The stairs leading to the belfry,
and when he mounted the stairs he saw
where the blood-it appeared like blood to
him-had dripped down to the floor.
When he went into the belfry the second
time he looked about more carefully and
saw marks in the dust where-so it ap-
peared to him-the body had been dragged
from the head of the stairs. He saw some
blocks in the room similar to those identi-
fed by Gibson Thursday as having formed
a rest for the head of the body, but he did
not notice whether there were blocks under
the head of the body.
Witness said he allowed no one to go
into the belfry between the discovery of the
BODY and the time when it was removed.
Deputy Coroner Hallett came to the
witness-chair next. Mr.. Barnes wanted
Smith, the ianitor of the Morgue, but
Smith did not respond when called. A
recess of ten minutes was taken, during
which Smith was telephoned for, but I'M
successfully.
Hallett told about the removal of the
body He had tried to get a sheet to carry
II in, but none could be found In the
church, so he secured tablecloth.
When they reached the lower landing