Weekly independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 1887-1914, 1895-11-03
Sensation In the Durrant Case.

SAX Francisco, Oct. 2S.-A strange
story Of an alleged plot in connection
with the trial OF Theodore Durrant
came to light o.day through letter
addressed to fhe coroner. Tho police
claim they have known OF the plot for
some time and that the knowledge
that the plot had been discovered led
Attorney Dcuprey for the defense to
abandon the plot and take to his bed.
leaving the closing management Of
the case to General Dickinson, who,
it is alleged did not know OF the
plot.
Six men are, according to the story,
Implicated rs those who were TO swear
to false testimony prepared for them,
it is alleged, by the defense. The
police say the plan was concocted by
Dnrrant and carried out largely under
his direction by the aid Of one of his
counsel. Tho plan WIS to make such
evidence rs would prove an alibi for
Durrant and at the same time impli.
cate Rev. Geo. Gibson in the murder
OF both Blanche Lamont and Minnie
Williams. One OF these alleged wit.
ncsses. by letter to the coroner, con-
fesses his part in the plot TO manufac.
turc an alibi, and says when they were
asked Ia implicate Rev. Gibson they
weakened and gave hint to the
police, who showed up their plan. 4
letter dated October 9th and signed
by George Reynolds, reads as fol.
lows:
Tonight will scalS rest from all
worldly cares in these waters near the
CliG Honse. / write this so you need
have no inquest or identification. /
was asked some months ago to be a
witness i'll the Durrant trial for the
murder OF Minnie Williams. | send
you statement prepared for me to
learn with five other men-Smythc,
Dugan, Stewart, Taylor and EIarring
ton. ] objected to take part in the
matter because part of the plan was
To implicatc Preacher Gibson. | as.
sisted Durrant's friends in fixing the
plan. Smythe, Dugan and Stewart
were TO he witnesses in the Lamont
case, and Taylo:, Harrington and |
were to help i'll tho Williams case. /
tried to get the statements OF the other
five to enclose with this, but they
would not give them up.
"Smytho was to say Blanche La
mont was ut his home. near Hay
wards, until Friday, April 9TH, when
she left for her home.
The strap with Blanche Lamont's
name, | marked myself with her
name cut oil tho end to the strip
and sent il 10 Chief Crowley last
month with other matter. Dickin-
sons explanation about the strap is
clever, but very improbable. | am
not surprised that Dcuprcy is sick,
and | should think Dickinson would
be sick, too.
"Dugan and Stewart were to say
they had been at DR.. Nnihony's
funeral in Oakland on Friday, April
9th, aud when returning saw Miss La.
mont OH the ferry.boat. Dugan know
ing her we'll.
The plan was also 10 produce
bloody handkerchief bearing Gibson's
nnmo upon it. lettcrcd five other
handkcrchicfs, md ThRycr sent them
by messenger to General Dickinson,
with card written, From Your
Little Infant Glass Girls Tho bloody
handkerchief was TO be offered ns
having been found back Of tho church
OH Sunday, April 1llh, but it never
was delivered, because We declined TO
take part in the plot to implicatc
GibsCn.
"This is all / have to say. Lot
Durrant tell tho rest.
"GEoRGE REYNOLDS"
Accompanying tho lciter was Il
description and purpose OF tho bogus
testimony, which they were TO learn
before going Ia the witness stand.
Tho statement was not written by
the writer of tho letter because in tho
type written statement several cor.
rcctions had been made with II pen in
hand writing, which differed from
that in tho Reynolds letter.
Coroner Hawkins said: 81 have
turned this letter over 10 the police
for investigation. II looks like II
hoax, but IL il possible that Durrnnt
or somo one connected with the de.
fcnsc may have prepared this story,
as Reynolds says. Tho statement,
which accompanied the letter, shows
careful work and was no doubt pre-
pared by some ono who had made
close study Of tho case. " Durr0nl
could prove what Is stated in the
document he would go forth free
nun