Capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1893-1895, 1895-10-21

REV. ornsoN's HANnweriINo.


SAN FRANCISCO. Oct. 2l.-Durrant,
attorneys are siill figuring on the po,s,
bi'ities Of tie Rev. J. George GIbsoy
heing implicated in the murder q
Blan'he Lamont. They make no dec
larations against the minister nor a,
they connect his name with the church
crime. They merely say his handwrit
ing Is strIkingly similar to that on the
paper wrapper which enclosed Blanche
Lamonts rings.
The defense intends to make the
most of the alleged similarity Of DIR.
Gibson's writing and hat ON the raper.
they will put no handwriting experts
on the stand to swear that DIR. Gibsun's
handwriting Is identical with that On
the paper sent to Mrs, Noble, but the
significance Of the similarity will he
enlarged upon in the arguments for the
defense. Attorneys Dickinson and
Duprey know all about the pecnliari.
ties VI the hArdwhtiDg of the Rev.
Mr.. Gibson. They have been ia pos
session Of bis penmausLip for months
and have not failed during that time,
20 study it carefully.
General Dickinson, who is greatly
interested 10 decipherng the character
lstlcs Of the minister's handwriting.
spent hours with w. q. Montleth, at
the city iall examining specimens.
Mr.. Montieth considers himself u
handwriting expert aud he gave the
penmanship Of Durrant, as well as that
Of Gibson. careful scrutiny. AT the
conc usion Of the inv, slIgation Mon
Iieth gave 1t as bis opinion that the
handwriting on the wrapper was iden-
tlcal with the specimens Of Gibson's
peumanship. Montieth will prepare u
report of his examination OF specimens
aud turn It over to the defense.
Attorney Duprey is rapidly recover
ing. and will in all probability, be able
to take his place as leader In the
defense when court convenes today.
The defense has come to a conclusion |
10 regard TO the Williams case. AT the
of the present case they
will insist on an immediate trial Of the
Williams. The verdict in the Lamont
,ase will cut no figure with them. The
for the defense do not at
present contemplate moving for a
hange of venue for the Williams case.
They are thoroughly satisfied. General
Dickinson said that fair and impair
Ial jury can be secured in this city.
n case OF a change of venue the state
Vlll have to pay all transportation and
otel expenses Of witnesses. The Gen.
raj said:
"The line of evidence will be entirely
Igerent from that Of the Lamont case.
Whatever prejudice, II any, might
xIst in the public mind as a result Of
be Lamont trial will soon be dlspelled.
he defenselIs satisfied that an acquit-
II will easily be secured.
II is absurd to think Durrant knows
tho committed the murders. He has
OF the least Idea who is responsible for
le crimes. Had he known anything
Q would have communicated his
lformation to the police. The defense
at n loss to know who committed the
endish deeds. We have received no
from Durrant on the
lbject."
THE LAST WITNESS.
Durrants attorneys expect to con-
uds the case today.
Young Lenihan will be the last wit
sas. There are but few direct ques'
ons to be asked and 1t is expected
lat thelcross questioning will not be
we're. 1t Is very, probable that the J
.se Of the defense viii close with the
animation OF the morning session. In
lis event 1t Is not known whether the
rosecutlon will open Its rebuttal teSli'
,ony In the afternoon or walt until
uesday. The first wltaess will be DIR.