Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-10-11
DURRANT CROss-ExAMINED.
Ills Replies Relieved to BE Damaging
to His Case.

Ills Replies Relieved to he Damngin
to His Case.
Under the rigid Characterization Of Dis
trict Attorney Barnes yesterday Durrant,
who Is on trial for the murder of Blanche
Lamont, made number of answers that are
| regarded as decidedly discriminating, mas
| much as they appear to be in direct con-
nct with well established facts. and then
| changed his replies when he realized that he
was on dangerous ground. He gave an ex-
PLANTATION of a clue regarding Blanche La
mont's disappearance said to have been re-
ceived by him, that was SO palpably a false
hood that everybody in court laughed aloud.
The sitting atmosphere of the overcrowd-
ed court room came to Durrants rescue, and
he was enabled to recover from his con-
fusion during the short recess that followed.
When he again came to the stand he re-
manned calm during the most trying ordea!s.
The prosecution was nevertheless, well sat
iSfied with the days work.
Two days before the body Of the young
woman was discovered, Durrant said as ho
was standing at the corner of Market and
Montgomery streets, a stranger approached
him and asked if his name was not Durrant.
The stranger then asked Durrant IL, in view
of the fact that his name had been unpleas-
| antly connected with the disappearance OF
the girl he would not like to find her.
Durrant replied that he would be overjoyed
even to obtain trace of the missing girl.
Watch the ferries, them the stronger
said. She will try to cross the bay. That
is my advice"
He did not ask the stranger his NAME his
residence or for any additional informal
ton. He went to lunch and from there 10
the ferry. whore he remained until o'clock,
not having caught a glimpse of the missing
girl. While be was waiting. however, he
saw three medical students and an old
schoolmate. One of these men has already
testified that he saw Durrant accost school
girl, whose description answered that OF
Minnie Williams, who was murdered that
night. and ride away toward the mission
on a Howard street car.
Mr.. Barnes asked him il he told anybody
else Of the clue given him by the stranger
so they could continue the search. Durrant
said he had no opportunity to tell any Of
Miss Lamonts friends
When questioned closely. Durrant admit
ted that he attended meeting of the
Young Peoples Society the same evening,
where he saw several of Miss Lamont's in
innate friends. Among others. was Thomas
Nogel whom Durrant had said moment be-
fore was more interested in the disappear
ance of the young woman than anybody else
except Mrs Noble. her aunt. Durrant adj
mitted that he had private conversation
with Nosel but did not think to tell him
about the clue he had obtained.
After short recess, during which Durrant
recovered his ccmposure, a surprise was
sprung on him in the hope that it might dis
concert him. After asking Durrant If he
had ever made a written statement Of his
whereabouts on the day Blanche Lamont
was murdered and receiving an affirmative
reply. District Attorney Barnes asked the
following question:
rs it not fact that you sent a written
statement of your case to your attorney and
wrote on the envelope, To be opened IL
am convicted and to be returned If am ac-
Quilted"
The excitement caused by this question
was intense. In the hum of voices Durrant's
answer was lost, and the stenographer was
asked to read the reply.
Il never sent an envelope to my attorneys
bearing such an inscription" said he
Durrant was questioned at length regard
ing the communication, and the significant
Inscription on the envelope but he denied
that he ever sent such document.
Durrant wis next shown the various gar
ments worn by Blanche Lamont, and asked
If he had secreted them in the belfry where
they We're found. He identified the ri eces of
clothing as the ones Worn by Miss LAMONT
on the day of her death. but said he did rot
hide them in the church.
Duffants strong nerves were tested by
a number of questions relative to the last
time he saw Miss Lamont, but he stuck 10
his former statements on that point.