The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1895-10-03
1T LOOKS HOPELESS.

~
THE DEFENSE IN THE DURRANT |
CASE FALLS TO THE GROUND. |
Statements That Durrant's Inno- |
ccnce Would BE Proved In Three
Minutes Are Not Subst.,n tiated by |
the Attorneys for the Prisoner.
San Francisco, Sept. 27-The depart
= ent of the superior court in which
Theodore Durrant is on trial for the
murder of Blanche Lamont, was Il
scene of excitement this morning
The announcement by the district at
torney that the people rest and the
subsequent statement OF attorneys Tor
the defense that they could be ready
to proceed to-day, drew to the city
hall crowd that could not secure
Abundance to a room ten times the
size Of the apartment set apart for
the trial. The fact that the defense
in it's opening statement would reveal
for the first time the nature OF evil
dence relied upon for an acquittal.
served to arouse public interest to a
degree never before seen in California
at 4 trial Of man for his life Tho
hot, sultry day was intensified in the
crowded court room. Although the Oc-
casion was of the gravest Importance
to Durrant, he was the most cool and
impassiye individual present At
torney Eugene Duprey, for the de-
Tense. began his opening statement.
His intimation that the murder was
committed not by Durrant, but by
Rev. John Gibson, pastor of Emanuel
church, by making significant allusion
to the resemblance of the preachers
handwriting with the lettering on the
paper enclosing Blanche LamOnt's
rings created Il marked sensation.
Duprey said: The district attorney
has presented a strong case OF cir
cumStantial evidence, which at first
would create strong suspicion OF the
guilt of the defendant. We claim that
beyond a strong suspicion the prosecu-
ton has failed to go. We insist that
the proper proof is wanting to connect
the defendant with the murder. We
will show that other men had access
to Emanuel church. Proof may point
to others. We will show that ti;a
marks upon the belfry door are the
marks of chisel and that the chisel
was found in the pastors study in a
tool box We will show you as long
as they have introduced a paper here
with letters on it as compared with
letters found in Emanuel church that
they are letters written by Rev. John
George Gibson. If we are to act upon
there are others who have been cast
into suspicion, and worse than the de-
fendant.'
Durrant's Mother Testilies.
After recess Mrs. Matilda Dur
rant. mother OF the prisoners took the
stand as the first witness for the de-
Tense. She told about her own birth
and marriage in Toronto, Canada,
where Theodore was born. The fam
lily came here in December. 1879. She
detailed the childhood of the prisoner,
and his education at various schools.
During vacation he worked at various
occupations; he had money in the
bank. She testified that on the morn
ing Of April her son was dressed in
a blue cheviOt suit. the blue trousers
of which she identified and the gar
ment was introduced in evidence.
Mrs. Durrant stated that her son re-
turned home that evening shortly af-
ter o'clock dressed in the same blue
cheviot suit. He wore no overcoat
one tcSlllleu Illdl tllG TROUSERS were
made to order by local tailor. When
Theodore left home on the morning OF
April 8 he kissed his mother good by
and saluted her in the same manner
when he returned at night. The fami
ly dined that evening at 6:15. but the
witness said Theodore had little appe
tite and did not look we'll. At O'Clock
that evening he took his mother to {
street car, and when she returned al
11:3O o'clock, he was in bed an(
asleep
Police Sergeant Reynolds described
the chisel marks on the belfry door
He searched for a tool with which the
marks might have been made, and il
the pastors study found a chise
which fitted the marks exactly.
Another Sensation.
Omaha, Sept. 27.-The Bee today
says: Last night a prominent member
Of the Pinkerton detective agency
passed through here. He had jus
come from San Francisco and is ia
miliar with the whole proceedings il
the Durrant matter. When pressed b,
friend for a tip on the surprise tina
Durrant'S lawyers were holding back
he said that as the fact would soo1
come out lin court he had no objection
to telling what the profound secre
was. The detective said that Duran
had now in his possession and would
soon show to the court letter whicl
is bound to establish his innocence O.
the crime with which he is charged
This letter was written by Blanch
Lamont day or two after she is sup
posed to have been murdered. Con
corning the contents of the letter O
Its exact date he would not speak
but he said that there could be n,
doubt but the letter was written b,
Miss Lamont later than April 3. :
Bad For Durrnnt.
San Francisco, Sept. 2S.-The key
stone in the arch Of Durrant's defens,
6III1nh lad and foll to