The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1895-11-08
Regarding the Disappearance OF
Blanche Lamont
HER CHANGED BEHAVIOR
Causes Questioning by a Mere Ac.
quaintance
A Basis for a Theory that 1innie William
Was nuriered Because She
Knew Too Much
Associated Press Special Wire

L
SAN FRANCISCO, Nov. 7.-tran <
Young, who conducts a bakery in Ala
media, promise, to be- one of the most a.
portrait witnesses for the prosecution in
the trial of Theodore Durrant FIR the
murder of Minnie Williams. Young kne W
Miss Williams well and says that the day
before she was murdered she explained
her depression of spirits by saying that
she knew too much about tho disappear.
ance OF Blanche Lamont.
'She came to the store on TIL ursday,
the day previous to Good Friday" he
said, land | noticed at once that she was
quite changed in manner lrnm what I
had always seen. She hal always been
so lively and chatted so good naturally.
But noticed that os this day she ore a
very long face, was pre-occupisd and
seemed very much worried about some
thing, and being. as l say. acGnstom ed to
talk with her on subjects aside from the
business she came on. l naturally asked
her what was the matter. l knew she
had been acquainted with Blanche La
mont and suppcsing she had been qui to
intimate with her l asked, more in the
wav of saying something than for any
other reason, IL she was down-E earteI
over the disappearance OF her friend.
"She hesitated moment AMI then
replied. 4 know too much about the DIS
appearance of Blanche lamont.
III was somewhat surprised at the
reply, but m ust confess mildly so, for at
that time had only mated casually. as
any cth.f stranger to the circumstances
IN mi % - lsa
Still ! was surprised enough to be inter-
ested and asked her wiat she knew. She
seemed to act AZ il she had said some
thing she had not meant to and making
some svasive answer, which | do not now
recollect, lett the store.
Il gave the msttsr no further attention
until Durraat was accused OF thu crimes.
Then that conversation came back to a's.
| kept still about it, howsvar, as | did
not wish TO be drawn into the case, for !
knew il would take me away from nv
business and that | could not afford. /
felt this way until after DuTrant was held
by the cosonsr's jury, and then felt re-
lieved, for | had also felt as Tough |
should have effsred my testimony. But
after that, as / saw, felt relieved and
then deorded to keep still and keep out
OF the case, for l have felt that there
would be eaough evidence to con ict
without Diy testimony
~ am certain Minnie loved Durrart,'
said NJ IS Dora F&les, a charming, brown.
eyed girl, who was one of the most init
mate friends of the murdered girl. ID an
Examiner representative.
~ knew her we'll shs continued,
"and l have seen the pair together often
at church, and judged by their manner
that they were fond of each othsr. Min
ME was retiring girl and it was quite ia
Keeping with he' character that she never
SPOKE even to those she knsw best, of
Thsoiofs Durr2nt as ner lovsi. She Was
not given to such confdsnoes, and the
fact that she never spoke OF her lover.
like relations proves nothing
Miss Villains made her homa with Miss
Fales' parents Tor time after the sepa-
ration OF her parents and, as with all
who knew her. da IL association with the
unfortunate girl inspired the love and
confidence of all.
minnie was an exceedingly discreet
girl. said Miss Fales, "and there must
have been some very reasonabl induce
ment for ner 20 e. TO he clUrch at even
ing. | have theory that | holievo is
correct for that fat ST. of ners. Mrs.
Curle,, Mrs. Vo1sl's daughter, was III at
her mother hame al the time OF the So
clal and it seems probable tna. Durrant
told hsr of that illness AMI saia the So
cial would be held at the church l sleid
of this Vogel house. Under tbau pretense
he might easiy have persuade her to 90
to the church, and even 10 enter II, TO
await the canning of the rest.
II think it reasonable too. to suppose
that Durrant's attsnpt to kill her may
have been unsuccessful at first, for | know
the little creature was very muscular and
bad great power OF endurance or one
seemingly So frail. She weighed only
about ninety poun's yet she could lift
me without an effort.
Miss Fales is inclined to be robust and
leans toward EN- onpoint, henre tnIs
iest OF Miss vii ans WAS no inconsidei-
able one for 4 small woman.
Miss Fslos, who lives at 1880 Florida
street is one or ,he young people who
attended the social at tho Vogel residence
on the evening of the murder and with
whom Durrant walked as lar gs Twenty
fourth street % Howard.
Shs recalls she noticed evidences OF
a Distraction on his part curing the even
ing, even while reading his sisters etter.
II thought he seemed very stupid all
the evening, sne remarked.
Theodore Durrant will be taken to
court tomorrow. ostens bly, to bs sen.
tenced for the murder Of Blanche Lamont.
There is lit.le prospect however. that
sentence wall tnen be- pronounced. The
attorneys for the defeudsnt will movs for
a new trial and this motion will entail
a continuance. They will be entitled b.
two weeks time in which to Pre- pare their
brief ana it ~ understood that they will
avail them selves of the full period.