The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-08-17

he is fully conscious of the damaging effect
of such a story if Mrs. Leak will really
swear to it. He thinks he must have
known her, but the name brings no iden-
THY to his mind.
He spent the afternoon in reading his
first dime novel-an old Cap. Collier YER
sion of the Emmanuel Church murders.
His only comment on the latest sensa-
ton was: anybody who could mistake
Blanche Lamont for Lucille Turner would
be liable to mistake almost anybody else
for me-
The force of the comment is explained
by the fact that Miss Turner has we'll
developed figure, while Miss Lamont was
quite slender and weighed, according to
Captain Lees, but little over lis pounds.
Miss Turner is also nearly head taller
than was the murdered girl. Friends OF
Durrant recollect also that the clothing
worn by Miss Lamont on the afternoon OF
her disappearance was comparatively new
and had been recently worn by her at the
church services and socials, so that Mrs.
appearance of the dead girl, must have
readily recognized her dress.
Mrs. Leaks neighbors are inclined to
discredit her alleged story and to represent
her as woman rather prone to gossip.
They credit her with the origin of the
statements that young people of both
sexes were accustomed to resort to the
church at ali hours of the night and day.
One woman, who refused to give her name,
but who can be readily produced if neces,
sary, ridiculed the whole story, stating
that she had known Mrs. Leak for long
time; that she could do only the plainest
kind of sewing and that her eyesight was so
poor that it was preposterous to credit tt e
idea that she could identify any one from
across a room, to say nothing OF across a
street. She thinks the foundation for the
latest sensation lies in Mrs. Leaks gossip
about young people entering the church
visited her frequently of late to see
whether she cannot remember that the
date on which she saw one couple enter the
edifice was April 8.
To the attorneys for the defense the story
of the prosecutions latest and most i'm
portant witness came as a complete sur
prise, but SO far as can be Judged from
Appearances it causes them little if any
uneasiness-so little, in fact, that General
Dickinson, the leading counsel for Dur
rant, will spend to-day and tomorrow on
a hunting and fishing trip in Nevada
County.
1.-THE statement that Mrs Leak would
be witness for the prosecutions" said the
general last night, twas, of course, sur
prise to US. L know nothing concerning
her except what / have heard to-day, and
have been too busy with other matters to
make any Investigations. But, even if
she will go on the stand and swear to the
story that it is said she told Chief Crow
ley do not think it will affect the case of
the defense. l cannot see why it should.
Our alibi is so complete, so invincible that
l do not think this story, even if testified
to, can affect US at all.
HAS not your confidence in Durrant's
innocence been shaken by the great mass
OF testimony against him" was asked.
Not in the least" was answered in very
positive tones: II have the firmest con-
tidence in his innocence and that it will
be fully proved. Have 1 spoken to him OF
MRS. Leak? Yes. asked him whether he
had heard she was to be a witness-that's
all"
Genera! Dickinson's trip will take him
by way of Ukiah. He will return in time
Tor the court proceedings on Monday.