Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1895-04-20
The Sam Francisco Murderer


was present when the inquiry was re-
sumed in San Francisco yesterday
morning. Durant and his attorneys
were also present. Elmer Wolfe, the
young man whose statements have
been questioned recently, was recalled
to the stand and offered to produce
witnesses to substantiate all he had
previously said in regard to his move
ments on the night Miss Williams was
murdered, but the coroner declined the
offer, and both that official and the
chief of police said they were satisfied
with Wolfe's statements, and did not
believe he was connected with the
crime. Two of Durant's comrades in
the National Guard company were ex-
amined, and said that on the afternoon
of the night Miss Williams was MUIR
dered they saw Durant lettering about
the ferry at the foot of Market street,
and talked to him. They said Durant
told them he did not expect to be at
the armory that night, and he asked
them to respond to his name at roll
call.
DR.. Bartlett, who conducted the
autopsy, testified that Minnie Will
liams died of asphyxiation as result
of having part of her clothing
forced down her throat by the MUIR
derer, and that the knife wounds
found on various parts of her body were
inflicted after her death. He also testi-
fed that the girl had been assaulted,
and that previous to the time of the
tragedy she had led blameless life.
Several other witnesses were examined
n minor matters, and about eleven
o'clock the coroner announced that he
had no more testimony to offer, though
he called Durant to the stand, and the
latter left his seat as if to present him
self for examination, and then looked
towards his attorneys who advised him
not to speak, and no further effort was
made to question him.
The jury did not occupy an hour in
celebrating, and returned verdict be-
fore noon charging Durant with the
murder of Minnie Williams. 1t was
The cause of her death only that was
being investigated. The case of the
murder of Blanche Lamont will be
taken up later.
When Durant was shown the verdict,
after his return to the city prison, his
face flushed for the first time since the
terrible crime, for which be is accused,
was discovered.
Miss Gertrude Taber, stepsister of
Elmer Wolfe, the Young man whose
name mad been frequently mentioned
in the case within the past few DAYS.
has come forward and identified the
pocketbook which was found on the
San Bruno road by u clamdigger, and
which contained some papers, among
which was business card of DR..
Vogel, on the back of which was writ.
ten the name of Miss Williams.
Miss Taber says that she missed the
aocketbook some time ago while out
riding near the Taber ranch, on the
San Bruno road. and explains the pre-
senoe Of a card with Miss Williams
aame on it by saying that Miss Will
iams visited her some weeks ago, and
wrote her address on one of DIR. Vopeps
cards. Elmer Wolfe's testimony at the
inquest was slightly mixed, and some
Of Durants friends thought he knew
more of the crime than he wished to
Iell, and pointed to the finding of the
oocketbook to substantiate their claim
[t is peculiar coincidence that the
oocketbook should have been lost bv
,ne so closely related to Wolfe. and
ound at this critical time.
Mrs. Durant, mother of the accused
Jays that she has evidence for the de.
ense which will go to upset the bear
ngs OF the statement of witness Hill.
Eho testified before the coroner's iurv
aat ne had seen couple answering
he description of Durant and the dead
,irl standing near the church at $50 on |
he night, and who afterwards entered |
he churehyard. Mrs. Durant says that
young couple has come to her and |
lated that they entered the churchyard |
bout the time Hill claims to have seen
couple pass into the front gate.
Yesterday afternoon the police re-.
'eived information from laundry that |
pair of bloody trousers had been left |
or cleaning. The police say that the
rousers arc too big for Durant, but that |
hey will trace the clue to find the
owner.
Court of Annea,a vas.~