The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-04-27
REV, DIR. GIBSON HAS AN ALIBI
The Chief Of Police Thinks the Minister
Caun0t be Implicated In The Murders.
ORGLNIST EISGON TIE WITNESS STAND
lie Tsstifies That He aud DUrrant Had the
Only Keys TO tho Library Door-Ths
Police Ins 81 That Thsy Can Con-
vict Duirant.

SAN FRANCISCO. CAL. April 26.-The
police are quietly investigating certain
rumors connecting Dr. Gibson with the
murders in Emanuel Baptist church. Dur
ing the past few days some sensational
stories have reached the ears OF the
police which implicate the pastor while
Chief Crowley still believes Or. Gibson
innocent Of any connection with the hor-
rible crimes, he considers the rumors OF
sufficient importance 10 warrant lnycsu-
cation. He detailed several of his best
men yesterday 10 inquire into the fv'-
mors, with instructions to sift them 10
the bottom. IL Is known that the defence
will attempt 10 show that DR. Gibson
murdered the unfortunate girls. Durant,
while declaring his innocence. has fire.
quently said that the pastor knew more
OF the terrible crimes than he cared TO
tell, and rarely missed an opportunity TO
direct suspicion towards his spiritual ad-
wiser The latter stoutiy maintains his
innocence of any connection with the
murders, and is apparently anxious that
d thorough investigation he made.
There was as large crowd as ever
at the Durrant trial today The defense
apparently have no hope Of preventing
the prisoner being held, and are deyoting
their efforts to obtaining Information ior
use at the trial
Elmer Wolf YVES the first witness this
morning He repeated the testimony
given at the inquest about has being
present at Or. Nogeis on the night OF
the murder; Durrant arriving ABOUT
$3.50, leaving the house with Durrant' ana
several y0urg ladies'; of accompanying
Miss Lowe home. and about midnight
seeing a man who rcsembed The accused
near the church.
During VOLTS cross-eNamination he
was requested TO take Off his coat, but
r. fused TO do so. Counsel for the de-
fence appealed to the Court, and Wolff
finally removed the garment He then
admitted TO the counsel that 1t bore
resemblance TO the one worn by Dur
rant on the night In question witness
were "A dark coat and vest and light
trousers. which were now at the ranch
where he was employed, end could be
secured at any time.
ORGANIsT KINGS STORY.
George II. King, organIst OF the
church. was then called for the first
time. lie had been organist for two
years was secretary OF the Sunday school
and had helped to arrange the Sunday
school library in company with Durrant,
wa0 was superin tendent OF the Sunday
school. He had no key 10 the side door
of the church, bat had one 10 the libra
ry. lie put the new lock on the library
door, being assisted by Durrant, who
was the only one other than himself
who had key to It. The lock (Which
was prodpced caused a great deal OF
discussion among counsel Il was appa-
rent that the defelits. s,..,4 ~ n ~, IN
that Durrant. having a ~. could have
unlocked the door. and that In his case
there was no need why he should break
| the door.
The prosecution, on the other hand.
| Is OF the opinion that as only he and
| King had keys to the room. he knew
] that to have unlocked the door would
| have pointed TO one or the other or them
| Immediately.
DIR. GIBSON CAN PROVE AN ALIBI.
| Chief Of Police Crowley Is OF the opin-
lon that there is not a single fact that
| points other than, to Durrant. "Mr. Glib
son has perfect aIlbi." he said to-day.
I'VE have studied him very carefully and
| have spared no pains to ascertain the
| truth or falsity OF his statements. 1t
| IS evident that Mr.. Gibson arrived at
! Or. NOgefs house at 1880 Good Friday
night. lie took part In the business meet
| ing OF the Yong Peoples Society OF
| Christian Endeavor AMI remained I'm the
| house until 1850. These facts Mr. Glib
! son can prove by abundant testimony.
| and TO me the facts seem conclusive as to
! his Innocence. ] believe the facts made
a very strong case against the prisoner,
| and though every possible ciew has been
run down and carefully investigated we
| have not succeeded I'm finding any facts
upon which a reasonable man could CON
struct a theory consistent with the inno-
cence Of DurraDt."
| THE MISS LAMONT CASE.
| Of he
| Crowley said the police department would
| present. If possible, a stronger chain OF
| circumstantiai evidence than in the case
| OF Minnie Williams.
( I'VE shall follow Durranrs movements" +"
he said, "up TO the time when Miss La
mont met her death. and his relations
with her and all the circumstances Of
the tragedy will be clearly brought out.
II seems to me that this case is perfect.
and II Durrant Is innocent. as his friends
| contend. / have only 10 say that he Is
In a most unfortunate position"
Chief Crowley added that at this time
It would not be prudent for him 20 make
public all the evidence IN the case. but
| he intimated that new witnesses would
! be produced 10 show that Blanche La
| mont was last seen alive with Durraut,
| and In the vicinity OF Emanuel church.
| II is understood that District Attorney
| Barnes VIII eject 10 Try Inc Lamont
] case I'm the Superior Court before taking
| up the case OF Minnie Williams. The
| Durrant case was continued until next
| Tuesday. 1t is said the defence at that
| time will have Wolff present, dressed as
ne was on the Friday night, and see
| whether the witnesses who saw the man
near the church that night will swear
II was not Wolff.
| cRAzFD BY RRApIMG ABOUT TIE MURDERS
SAN DIEGO. CAL, April 26--James
| Smith, a ranch hand near Delmar, crazed
| by reading accounts OF the Emanuel
| church murders In San Francisco. made
| criminal and murderous assault on
! Mrs Hugh Frazer, wife Of his employer.
| yesterday. She escaped and gave tho
| alarm. Constable Bladworth attempted
TO arrest Smith. but the latter made an
| attack on him with a huge dirk. and tho
officer shot and killed Smith IN self-de-
l