davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-04-15
WHAT HEDEMARK SAW.
Lights in the Church the Night Blanche
Lamont Disappeared.

Lights in the Church the Night Blanche
Lamont Disappeared.
Charles L. Hedemark is a wood and coal
dealer, whose place of business is at 1852
Valencia street. He resides at No. 1921
on the same thoroughfare, and from the
rear windows of his home the church on
Bartlett street is plainly visible. His story
is as follows:
son Wednesday evening, April 8, at Z
o'clock, was looking out of my back win
dows when l noticed light in the church
on Bartlett street. 1t was Pickering light,
and appeared as if one were carrying a
candle or a wax taper. 1t showed near the
bottom of the big stained-glass window,
which reaches nearly to the floor of the
gallery, which one must traverse to reach
the tower from the lower floor.
:" By the faint light / could distinguish
the form of man, who went along little
way and then stopped down, and repeated
this till he had passed way across the win
dow. The light then disappeared entirely
for quite time and then reappeared.
:" The occurrence did not appear strange
to me then. | remarked to my wife at the
time that men must be working late i'll the
church. | thought no more about it till it
was recalled to my mind by my wife this
morning, after the discovery of the body
| believe now, however, that what saw
was Durrant carrying or dragging the
body of the murdered Blanche Lamont to
the tower''
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-04-15

Then called at my rooms and told my friends.
AS took lunch at the restaurant nearly oppo-
site my rooms there was no secret about my
movements at all. The whole OF the DAY was
interviewed in the church by the ofhcers. l re-
fused to see the reporters because. l wished to
prepare nv own statement of the8acts and be
cause l could not do more than help the officers
of the law at one time. Thought my first duty
was with them. All the young people who
were decorating saw me in the church the
whole day.
After the officers came they asked me if 1
knew the girl. | said no. One OF our young
men arrived. He saw her clothing and said
that is Minnie Williams clothing. further
inspection was made and 1t was decided that
the murdered girl was Minnie Williams. l had
only seen the girl some three times, and in the
state we found her could not recognize her.
The papers are in error when they state that
the murdered girl was found in my study.
The study is upstairs and is at the very oppo-
site end of the building. 1t is not true that
there is a bedroom in the church or that l ever
slept there. 1 am rich enough to have room
with family l have known Tor years. The
murdered girl was found in little closet
under the stairs in the front part of the build
ing on the ground floor. The room where my
mail is dropped is on the right hand as you
enter. The library is on the left and the closet
opens from the library and is under the stair
going up to the main building. 1t Is quite
small place and has gas jet in 1t.
After leaving the church Saturday evening
went to my room and told my friends that
would spend the night at Mr.. Taber,s home,
$50 Twenty-third street, but that | had had
enough for one day and would not see any re-
porters. l left my address with the friends, so
that church members might see me. have
taken care not to be alone for moment. One
of the young men has been with me since 1890
Saturday and present at every interview L
have had with the officers and Chief of Police.
The idea that have been hiding is untrue for
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-04-15

by birth, having been born in Edinburgh.
He attended the Heriot Watts College and
the New College as boy. He afterward
studied at Surgeons College, London,
where he graduated at the end of 1881. He
was ordained to the Baptist ministry In st.
Andrews, in January, 1882. While preach
ing here he took postgraduate course at
st. Andrews University, where he enjoyed
the friendship of such famous preachers as
the Very Rev. Principal Tulloch, chaplain
to the Queen, and DR.. A. K. II. Boyd, the
celebrated writer. DR.. Gibson came to this
country in 1888. He preached in Chico for
a few months, but accepted call to Red
Bluff, where he renamed three years and
a half. He left behind him a large congre
cation and host of friends. He removed
to Chico, where he preached for two years
and half. Having splendid tenor voice,
he led the male choir, which was great
attraction. In August of last year he was
invited to preach in Emmanuel Baptist
Church. He came merely for the month,
as they had called a pastor. The pastor
from the East declined to come to San
Francisco. A call was then extended to
DIR. Gibson, and he came to the church in
November, 1894. Since then the congrega-
ton has doubled and the work has been
showing great signs of success in every de-
partment. He is an eloquent speaker, and
never breaches from manuscript. lie has
in his study letters and books which he re-
ceived from Mr.. and Mrs. Sturgeon, also
many letters of introduction from prom
inent ministers of his own and other de-
nominations. He has also been a frequent
writer to local and religious papers. He is
the author of Nights in the Life OF Jesus
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-04-15

The verdict of the surgeon was 'asphyxia-
ton caused by strangulation."
Miss Lamont was, according to DR.. Bar
rett, feet inches high and when alive
weighed at least $50 pounds. The Morgue
officials are positive that she was not muir
dered in the belfry, as there was not the
slightest trace of struggle. They are
equally positive that no man single-handed
could carry her up the narrow winding
stairs. 1t was all that Deputies Hallett
and Mccormick could do to carry the body
down in a sheet, and from that they argue
that it would be next to impossible fol,
man to carry her from the library to the
belfry. Hallett insists that there is an
other man in the case and that he assisted
in carrying Miss Lamont into the tower.
G. G.. Noble, at whose house Miss La
mont lived, called at the Morgue last night
and wanted to secure the body. He was
told that it could not be given up until
after the autopsy, and then he left an
order for it to be delivered to the Golden
Gate undertaking parlors. The remains
will be put in leaden casket and sent to
her relatives in Montana.
The father of Miss Williams also called
on the Coroner and demanded the body OF
his daughter.
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-04-15
DR.. GIBSON AT CHICO.

Christ "Some Texts in the Light of Tt
day."
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-04-15
THE MURDER OF MISS WILLIAMS.
Strong Chain of Evidence Against Theo-
dora Dnrrant.

A Strong Chain of Evidence Against Theo-
dore Durrant.
The manner in which Miss Minnie
Williams met her fate has been pretty well
learned. Some new details were brought
to light yesterday, but the main points are
as published yesterday morning. The tull
story as known is as follows:
The belief that Durrant and Miss Will
liams had an engagement to go to the
church Friday evening is strengthened by
some evidence given to the police by Z. 3.
Chappelle, the detective. He has been
acquainted with Durrant for some time.
Mr.. Chappelle said:
81 knew Durrant quite well. Some
months ago his father was robbed OF $1,000
on trip East by some 'green-goods
men, from whom he was going to pur-
chase some queer money. l met Durrant
at the time. He wrote me out long state
ment of the incidents connected with his
fathers loss. l met him frequently after
that and knew him when he worked Tor
the Golden Rule Bazaar during the last
holidays. l was at the ferry at o'clock
Friday evening and saw Durrant meet
Miss Williams there. They went on to-
gether toward Market street, apparently to
take car.
They were chatting in friendly way
and l don't doubt they were making ar
rangements for later meeting. From
what | knew of Durrant he was not OF the
kind of men who are very successful In
making love to young women"
1t is supposed then that Miss Williams
met Theodore Durrant at the ferry ana
was accompanied by him to her friends
residence at 1907 Howard street. After
having dinner Miss Williams started from
the house with the intention OF meeting
Durrant to get book from the library IN
the church.
When Durrant and Miss Williams met,
shortly after 8 o'clock, and entered the
church together, they probably went to
the front of the church building. To es-
cape from his attention Miss Williams
went into the library room and locked the
door behind her Durrant must have
broken open the door by throwing his
body against it. 1t is supposed by those
who believe him guilty that after the crime
he brushed up his clothes, straightened
himself up and started for DR.. Vogel S
party, so as to prove an alibi.
Even when he reached there his clothing
was in disorder and some blood stains were
on his hands. His cold blooded nature is
shown by the fact, as stated by Clarence
Wolfe, that he went into the church again
after midnight, possibly to look at his VIC
tim to see if her body had been discovered.
Possibly he was actuated by some tiendlsh
desire to gloat over his awful work.
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-04-15
THEORIES OF THE POLICE.
They Believe That W. r. T. Durrant Is tn
Murderer,

They Believe That W. q. T. Durrant Is the
Murderer,
The police are satisfied that in the person
of w. II. T. Durrant the medical student,
who is now under arrest at the City Prison,
they have the murderer OF Blanche La
mont He was assistant superintendent of
the Sunday school of the Emmanuel Baptist
Church. He had charge of the library and
was familiar with the interior of the edi-
fee and he possessed keys to the church
doors.
Blanche Lamont disappeared on We'd
day, the Sd inst. On the morning of that
day before she went to the Normal School
on Powell street she was seen with Dur
rant. At O'Clock that afternoon she left
the Normal School. The police have found
three young ladies who saw her meet
Young man at that time whose description
fits Durrant and board a Powell-street car
with him. The young ladies are students
in the school, They are Miss Edwards of
San Mateo, Miss Pleasant and Miss LAM
gan of this city.
The rules of the institution forbid the
students accepting male escort to and
from the building, and as soon as Miss
Lamont was reported missing these girls
reported to Superintendent 1oder the in
cident of the meeting mentioned. They
will be asked to-day to identity Durrant If
they can.
That night Blanche Lamont did not
reach home for supper. The police think
that the couple went directly from the
school to the church on Bartlett street, and
that Durrant persuaded the girl to enter
the church on some pretext-perhaps to
get book from the new library. They be-
lieve that in the little room where Miss
Williams died Durrant choked Miss La
mont to death, accomplishing double
crime, and that subsequently he carried
the dead body to the tower.
The officers think that after the body of
Blanche Lamont had been in the belfry
for some time Durrant became alarmed
and decided to make some other DISPOSE
ton of it. They believe he tried to reach
the tower, and, finding the door had been
locked in the meantime, tried to force it or
pry it open, but without success. They
argue this from the condition of the door.
The knob had been broken off, the wood
work is badly marred where Jimmy
had been used, and the bolt of the lock
had been so bent that it could not be shot
back by the proper key. Janitor Sedeman
says that these things have been done
since last Sunday when he locked the
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-04-15
A Popular Pastor Who Was Not Averse to
Dancing.

a Popular Pastor Who Was Not Averse to
Dancing.
CHICO, CAL, April 14.-Dr. Gibson came
to Chico from Red Bluff, where he had
pursued the duties of a pastor. About four
years ago he took charge of the Baptist
church here, and his pleasant and affable
manner and well-chosen sermons imme-
diately secured for him congregation that
was the envy of brother ministers. The
church was crowded morning and night,
and many times worshipers were turned
away. He and his sister kept house until
the latter married D. NJ. Hooper, an old
resident here. From that time till he went
to San Francisco he lived bachelor life,
doing his own cooking, etc.
His actions were always considered
above reproach although he was very
popular with the ladies, young and old.
By some men it was thought there were
two sides TO his character, but if so, moth
ing to lead to that conclusion was ever
shown. In opinions he was very decided
Although minister, he seemed not ad-
verse to dancing, and has even been seen
at dancing party, though taking no part.
He was great correspondent Of local
papers, and wrote some interesting arti-
cles on morality. D. NJ. Hooper and wife
(his sister, are at present living here, and
Mrs. Hooper feels it keenly that murder
should be committed in her brothers
church
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-04-15
CLARENCE WoLFB's STORY.
Durrant Had Stains That Looked Like Blood
on His Hands,

Durrant Had Stains That Looked Like Blood
on His Hands.
Clarence n. Wolfe of go Twenty-third
street was probably the last person who
saw Durrant in this city. 1t was about
1870 on Saturday morning and the sus-
,pected man was standing on the corner of
Twenty-fourth and Bartlett streets. In
answer to question Durrant said he had
to get his horse shod, and as soon as that
Job was accomplished he would start out
on surveying trip. According to Wolfe
Durrant appeared very much downcast,
and was different man altogether from
the one who had made merry at the social
gathering of the members of the Young
Peoples Society of Christian Endeavor in
DR.. Vogel's house.
A discussion between the Rev. J. George
Gibson and Mr.. Wolfe brought out the
fact that Durrant did not reach DR.. Vogel's
until $50 or GAS P. NJ. Miss Williams, who
was also expected to attend, of course did
not. From the conversation it was
learned that Durrant arrived at the
house in very excited frame
of mind. His clothes were diSarranged,
perspiration was running down his face,
and there were some marks that looked
like blood-stains on his hands. He aske,t
DR.. Vogel if he might wash and brush
himself up before meeting the young peo-
pie. Permission was granted, and when
he returned he seemed q different man.
He laughed and joked with everybody,
and was the life and soul of the party.
During the evening he read long letter
from his sister describing her journey from
San Francisco to Germany, she having
gone to the latter country to study. Some
of her adventures were very amusing, and
no one laughed more heartily than Durrant
over their recital. After the social he and
Wolfe took one of the young ladies home,
and, that being accomplished they sep
arated Durrant said he was going home,
and Wolfe, after changing his clothes,
went to the stable for his horse to ride out
to the Guadalupe ranch. On the corner of
Twenty-fourth and Bartlett streets he met
Durrant, and the two chatted together.
1t was shortly before this meeting that
Officer John McGreevy saw Durrant. He
was then coming from the church and had
evidently paid a second visit to the library.
He wore long dark-blue overcoat and
SLOUGH hat, and appeared anxious to escape
recognition.
"Durrant got to DR.. Vogel's house about
$50 o'clock last Friday night" said Mr..
Wolfe when talking about the matter yes
terday. "None of us noticed anything I'M
usual in his actions, but since these muir
dered women have been found in the
church Dr. Nogel has told US about the
excited and diSordered manner in which
he arrived at the house. believe Durrant
said he had trouble in catching the horse
he was to ride on the trip he was to start
on next morning. He was a quiet, gentle
manly fellow, and got along well with the
that he had anything to do with the
crimes "
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-04-15
AROUND THE MORGUE.
Police Necessary to Keep Back the Crowds
Of Curious People.

Before the body of Blanche Lamont
reached the Morgue hundreds of people
had heard the news and fastened to Dun
bar alley to see the remains.
Before the wagon containing the corpse
could approach the door policeman had to
be called to scatter the throng.
AS the news spread through the city the
crowd increased, and three officers were
detailed to clear the narrow alley. They
were on duty from noon until far into the
night
Every man in the crowd had theory
regarding the crime. All the murders
committed during the last decade were
discussed, and stories of detective work
cleaned from cheap novels were recited.
To a man they wanted to have chance to
pull on the rope which would be sure to
go around the neck of the murderer if
found.
The men were not alone in their denun-
citation of the criminal. Hundreds of
women, with their Easter gowns and bon
nets, mingled with the crowd. They
added their lamentations to the more
stern expressions of the men. Hanging
is too good for him." was their favorite
statement
Every scheme imaginable was tried on
the Deputy Coroners to obtain a view
of the bodies of both young women.
Handsome young women, motherly look
ing matrons and even children wanted to
see the CHASTITY sight Some of them
thought they might be able to identity
either one or the other A few of them
said they had gone to school with Blanche
Lamont and thought they would know
Minnie Williams if they could see the
body. Some of them even went so far as
to say they belonged to the same Sunday
school class. Many of them were permit
ted to see the remains, but on the average
left the building with blanched faces and
shaky limbs.
The men were different They either
knew DR.. Hawkins or some of his deputies
intimately" Many of them were admit
Coroner would have found that he had
hundreds of intimate friends whom he
never heard of before.
The private detective who wears bull
let-proof vest, 5-inch star and carries an
arsenal with him by authority of some In
diana, Kentucky or other Eastern
agency" was on hand displaying his
badge and insisting upon seeing the re-
mains. As general thing he was handed
a copy OF the CALL containing the pictures
of the dead girl and then allowed to pass
into the crowd without seeing the bodies.
Coroner Hawkins was at his office all
the afternoon waiting for DR.. Barrett to
hold the autopsy upon the remains of Miss
Lamont. Every point in the city that he
was likely to visit was telephoned to and
a number of messenger boys were sent out
Shortly before O'clock it was learned
that the physician had gone yachting and
would not be back until evening. DR..
Hawkins would not permit any one else
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-04-15

to make the autopsy on the gound that the
doctor who did the work would have to
appear in court and he wanted DR.. Barrett
to be that man.
Coroner Hawkins justly complained that
his office was overworked at present. He
has thirty suspicious deaths on his books
upon which inquests have not been COM
pleted During the month of April there
were six deliberate murders. This num-
Der does not include the deaths of Blanche
Lamont or Minnie Williams. These two
make the fearful total of eight violent
deaths at the hands of persons known or
unknown since April l.
The calendar is SO crowded that the Cor
oner cannot say when the inquest will be
held. He. thought yesterday that he
would be able to arrange for hearing on
Wednesday If the police were ready to go
ahead at that time. In the meantime sep
view the remains and the bodies will be
buried.
The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-04-15
RESULT OF THE AUTOPSY.
Blanche Lamont's Death Was Caused by
2trannnl tinn

The autopsy on the body of the unfortu-
nate girl was made by DR.. ]. S. Barrett. 1t
proved conclusively that she had been
murdered. The lungs were filled with
bod, the cartilages of the neck ami the
windpipe showed signs of compression
and the marks from the fingernails of two
hands were plainly to be seen in the neck.
Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1895-04-24
Runaway Experiences

While J. Alwardt, a farmer residing
on Hustisford street, was coming to the
city with his team of horses Monday
morning, the whiff1etree pin dropped
out of the tongue and the horses be-
came unmanageable. In attempting to
gain control of them he was thrown
from the wagon and dragged consid-
cradle distance on West Cady street
before they were stopped. DIR. Mas
terson attended him Several severe
but not serious scalp wounds were the
result.
A woman whose name we we're un-
able to learn had miraculous escape
IN runaway Saturday afternoonin the
lower portion Of the First ward. She
was driving horse and holding babe
IN her arms, when the horse became
frightened and by a sudden turn threw
the woman and little one from the
vehicle onto the sidewalk. Both es-
capped, however, with no injuries what
ever,
Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1895-04-24
went to Milford-a twelve-miles drive

went to Mllford-a twelve miles drive
and was brought home sick in the
afternoon. Mr.. Grimm was prominent
In public affairs, and had often served
on the county board and in other Off
cial capacities. Two years ago he was
elected member of the assembly bv the
largest majority any Democrat ever re-
ce1ved In that district. He was a Ma
son, and native of Halenbrunn, Ba-
varia, being born there in 1928. Hon.
George Grimm is a nephew of the
deceased.
Mrs. McCracken, wife of R. A. Nc
Cracken, ex-president of the Waterloo
village board, died at her home in that
place Monday morning, after long i'll
ness, aged about 35 years.
Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1895-04-24

latter having been for many years the
efficientand popular uperintendent of
schools Of Dodge county. 1t is COM
mon remark by those who knew her
best, that Mrs. Flavin was one of the
very noblest of women, and in the re-
mem brance of her shining Christian
virtues, and sweetnes and nobility of
character, her children have been left
a priceless heritage.
MRS. CATHERINE MULLEN
Mrs. Catherine Mullen, relict of
Michael Mullen, died Friday night at
the home of her daughter, Mrs. Fred
Bertram, 4l6 Washington street, aged
73 years. While at the home of her
daughter, Mrs. j. Caveney, in Milwau-
kee, where she had been living the
past few years. \ rs. Mullen was strck-
en- with. paralysis some three months
since, and it was this that caused her
death. Subsequent to the first attack
she was removed here. Deceased was
born in the county Mayo, Ireland, and
when six years of age emigrated to the
United States. first living at Lowell,
Mass. Later she came West, and over
fifty years ago located with her hus-
band en- the old homestead in the
town of Watertown, which remained
her home until after his death, early
in the 80's. She was one of the pioneer
womeP. Of this vicinity and possessed
very large circle Of acquaintances, both
here and in Milwaukee. Eight chill
| dren survive her, as follows: Mrs.
Fred Bertram and Andrew Mullen,
Watertown; Edward n. Mullen, Kan
sas City; James G. Mullen, Sparta;
Mrs. b. f. Masterson, Chicago; Mrs.
James S. White, Mrs. j. Caveney and
William Mullen, Milwaukee. The fun
eral took place from st. Bernard's
church Monday morning at 9 O'Clock,
six grandsons of the deceased acting as
pallbearers.
Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1895-04-24
READ WHAT THE PEOPLE

Having been a severe sufferer from
nervous troubles for many years,
extend my sincere thanks to you the
Badger State Magnetic Appliance Co. }
for having so successfully treated my
case. After treatment of flour weeks,
| must say that [ eel like a new per-
son. MAX II. BLAESIUS,
Ill Madison St., Watertown Wis,