The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-04-18
.PILING UP EVIDENCE,
Some Strong Testimony Which
-. Was Given Against the
. Prisoner.

". II. Theodore Durrant was not present
when the Coroner's jury was called to order
Yesterday morning. DR.. Hawkins was a
little indignant, and at once issued sum-
mons to appear and bring the body of the
prisoner with him. The Chief at once
obeyed the order, and in a short space Of
time the accused was in attendance in the
custody of the Chief himself. He was
much more composed than on the previous
occasion, and listened to the testimony
with considerable interest. When the
statement of DR.. Vogel in regard to his
proposal to Miss Turner was read the pris-
=oner was confused, and kept his eyes fixed
on the floor for a considerable time there
after.
go. THE Rev. J. George Gibson was recalled
to the stand. Asked by the Coroner if he
had ever been in the belfry prior to the
murders, he answered emphatically mo. "
Asked if he had been up there since, he
answered, Eyes, on Monday, the 18th
inst" He never heard Or knew of Durrant
visiting the belfry, and never knew that
bloodstains had been found on the stairs.
According to his recollection Durrant had
been. connected with the church since Ne
vember, 1892, and he became pastor in
November, 1894. Durrant was assistant
superintendent of the Sunday-schoo4.
The Coroner-DO you know anything
further about the case?
. ;Gibson-I would like to make an expla-
nation. In my testimony yesterday l said
the clothing on the body had not been
touched before the Coroner's deputy ar
rived. | was mistaken. Mrs. Nolte drew
the clothes down a little, and DR.. King
drew them down still further. I did not
know it was Miss Minnie Williams at the
time. l only met her three times in my
life, and the last time was Friday, March
%, last. On that occasion | saw her in the
Sunday-school room, but did not know she
was there until she spoke to me.
Q.-Were you very intimate with Theo
Durrant? A.-Not very.
Q.-Is there sleeping-room in the
church? A.-No, sir; there is no sleeping
apartment. There is lounge in room
off my study which can be made into a
bed, but l never used 1t and l don't think
any one else has during my term as pastor.
I never had a confidential talk with Miss
Williams as has been stated.
After identifying the knife, rags used
asa gag and piece OF wood used to push
the cloth into the girls mouth the rev.
erend gentleman was excused.
Mrs a. B. Voy of 1907 Howard street, to
whose house Miss Williams went on her
arrival from Alameda, testified in sub
=SldiiCG DIS iOl4O0C- lAOsC4 EAitS" - " u
called anything else but Minnie. The last
time l saw her was on Friday, the 18th
inst. She left my house before O'Clock,
stating that she was going to DR.. VogePs S,
on. the corner of Twenty second and
Howard. She didn't say that she was
going to DR.. Vogel's, and it is only surmise
on my part that that was her destination.
l never heard of Theodore Durrant and
never heard Minnie mention his name.
When she left my house she was dressed
in blue skirt and a silk waist. She was
a splendid girl. One of the best l ever
knew"
Miss Florence A. Voys testimony was
similar to that of her mother. The last
time she saw Minnie alive was few min
utes before 8 o'clock on the 18th inst Min
ME said she was going to Young People s
Society of Christian Endeayor social and
would ask to have her name taken off the
books. She owed bill for dues, but while
1t did not amount to much, still she came
tothe conclusion that she could not bear
the expense. In answer TO a question put
by juror, the witness said Miss Williams
arrived at their house shortly before din
ner, They had that meal about 6 80 P. NJ.
h. A. Wolf, an accountant, 630 Twenty
thIedstreet, was the next witness. He did
not know anything at all about Miss Will
iams. He may have met her, but did
not remember. The last time he saw Dur
rant was at a quarter to II last Friday, at
the. corner of Twenty-fourth and Capp
streets. They were returning from the
party at DR.. Vogel's, and the witness re-