Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1895-04-16
FRISCO'S BUTCHER.
Evidence That Points Strongly
to Young Durrant.
DID he MURDER THOSE TWO GIRLsf

Facts That Back Up the Police Theory
That He Is the Man-His Arrival at the
Vogel Parsy-Two Regulations That He
Bore In Two Different Circles-strange
Conduct After the Disappearance of Miss
Lamont.
DAN FRANCISCO. April 16-The net is
tightening around w. II. T. Durrant, the
dental student now in Jail for the mur.
uer OF Blanche Lamont and Minnie VIII.
iams in the Emanuel Baptist church.
Chief Of Police Crowley claims to have
evidence enough TO convict him. Durrant
had been attentive to both girls, each of
when regarded him as lover They
were members of the Emanuel church
and were friends. Both belonged to the
same class in Sunday school. The young
man was librarian of the church and as
sistant superintendent of the Sunday
school. He was familiar with the house
and carried one of the few keys to the
private door. He was the last person seen
In Blanche Lamont's company on the day
OF her disappearance.
Damning Facts and Rumora
Other circumstances which bear against
him are these: He had key to the
church, was seen conducting hiss Will.
Jams through a private door Of the church
Friday evening, was late arriving at the
Vogel reception, and upon arriving there
showed nervousness, while his attire was
disordered. There is a rumor that blood
was on his hands and that he asked to be
permitted to wash himself. On leaving
the party hepassed to the church and went
I'm sl-aff hea ~
purse or part of it is said to have been
found. He admits that he was in the
church with his friend King Friday after
noon.
StrangIed by n Left-Handed Man.
A sleeve of n mans white shirt, rolled
up in n wad, Us though it had been
stripped off the arm, was found. 1t was
soiled and had blood stains on it, but they
were old A significant fact is that
Blance Lamont, who was murdered first
and carried to the church belfry, was
strangled by n left-handed man, who used
his left hand in choking the girl. Durrant
Is ambidcxtrous, using either hand with
equal facility. He can throw n ball, write
and 90 many other things with his left
hand a rusty hatchet that the sexton
had used for chopping wood, and which
he had missed for two weeks was also
found in the belfry, but it bore no signs
Of use.
Has Two Kinds of Reputation.
As to Durrants reputation aS pious
youth of correct habits, there is another
story; from undergrad yates of the medi-
cal college where Durrant was also
student different opinions have been OBJ.
tanned. They considered him hypocritical
and deceitful. posing before his fellows as
n gallant, and before his church friends as
n saint. He often boastcd to the students
of having received favors from women.
On one occasion Durrant told his friends
in confidence of trips which he said he
had made at intervals to Carson City in
company with three railroad employees.
He told Of brutal treatment to Indian
women in which he took part, and of in
dulgence OF gross sensuality.
HIS Actions Have Been Suspicious.
Great Importance attaches to Durrants
acts since the disappearance of Blanche
Lamont. His companions at the med
ical college declare that he has not at
tended a lecture since the day Blanche
Lamont disappeared. When his name
was called by the instructors in charge
his friends would answer for him. He
has acted strangely since the search for
the Lamont girl was commenced, haunt
ing newspaper offices and giving report.
ers long and involved theories to &C.
count for her absence, always predicting
she would soon be found.
The Paper Around the Three Rings.
Three rings belonging to Blanche La
mont and sent to her aunt were wrapped
in paper upon which were written the
names of George II. King. organist of the
church, and Professor Schoenstein, who
taught her music. Experts declare this
writing is that of Durrant slightly dis
guised. King was also friend of
Blanche, but Schoenstein is an elderly
man and is not suspected. The police
think Durrant tried to throw suspicion on
these two men that attention might not
be directed to himself.