The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1895-04-16
may Be GUILTY.
Police Say Durant Committed
Double Murder.
His Character and Record Shown in
an Unenviabie Light.

BAN FRANCISCO, April 16.-Ths net Is
tightening around w. H. Il. Durant, the
dental student in Jail for the murder of
Blanche Lamont and Minnie Williams.
I'm Emanuel Baptist church. Chief of
Police Crowley claims To have evidence
enough now to convict him beyond any
doubt.
Durant has been attentive to both girls
Each girl regarded him as a lover. They
were both members OF Emanuel
church and were friends. Both belonged
to the same class in Sunday school. The
young man was librarian of the church
and assistant superintendent OF the Sun
day school. He was familiar with the
house and carried one of the few keys to
It's private door.
He was the last person seen in Blanche
Lamont's company on the day OF her dis
appearance. Other circumstances which
bear against him are these: He had the
key to the church; was seen conducting
Miss Williams into private door OF the
church Friday evening; was late arriving
at the Vogel reception, and upon arriving
there showed nervous condition and
disordered attire. There is a rumor that
there was blood on his hands
On leaving the party he passed the
church again and went within. In his
svercoat pocket the girls missing purse,
or part of 1t, is said to have been found
He admits that he was In church with his
friend King Friday afternoon. Miss Will
ianIs was TO have gone to DR.. Vogels Fri
day evening, started for the house, met
Durant and never was seen alive after
ward.
EyiA Ano ofpsf prla
Another significant fact is that Blanche
Lamont, who was murdered first and car
ried to the church belfry, was strangled
by lefthanded man, who used the left
hand in choking the girl. Durant is am
bidextrous, using either hand with equal
facility. He could throw ball, write,
and do many other things with the left
hand.
AS to Durants reputation as a pious
youth Of correct habits, there is another
side to the story. From the undergradu-
ates at the medical college where Durant
was also student a different opinion has
been obtained. They considered him hypo-
critical and deceitful posing before his
fellows as gallant and before his church
friends as saint. He often boasted to
the students of having received favors
from women.
On one OCCASION Durant told his friends
in confidence of trips which he SAID he
made at intervals to Carson City in COM
pany with three railroad employees. He
told of brutal treatment to Indian women,
in which he took part and of ind ulgenoe
in gross sensuality.
He has acted strangely since the search
for tho Lamont girl commenced During
last week, at church gatherings and to
groups OF friends he has talked continu-
ally, and occasionally somewhat wildly,
of Blanche and speculated rs TO her
whereabouts His conduct surprised his
friends who thought perhaps his love for
Blanche had temporarily affected his rea-
son.
Averting Suspicion.
The three rings belonging to Blanche
Lamont and sent TO her aunt on Satur-
day were wrapped in paper upon which
were written the names OF q. II. King, or
ganist Of tn church. and Professor Shoen-
stein, who taugls5 her music. Experts de-
clare this writing is that OF Durant
slightly disguised. The police think
Durant tried To throw suspicion on these
two men that attention might not be di-
rected to himself
Another young lady also n member Of
the same church, says Durant told her
she had female complaint and gave her
medicine which benefited her. After
wards he advised her TO allow him TO
make a personal examination. She In.
dignantly refused. Durant continued TO
urge it, saying there was a room In the
church to which he had n key, where tho
examination could be secretly and safely
made. It's surmised Durant may have
lured the murdered girls into the church
on similar pretext.
About 2 o'clock yesterday morning the
police heard rumors OF a threatened at
tack on the prison to lynch Durant
Extra precautions were taken. The rela-
tives OF the Lamont and Williams girl