The herald., 1895-04-30
IS A P|NKERTONlDETECT|VE
Still Piling Up Evidence Against
Durrant
WHAT A CLERK HAD TO SAY
The Accused Murderer Has to Speak
After All
of Numbering the Lamont Girl, He
Speaks OF the Tragedy

SAN FRANCISCO, April pa Pin
kerton detective, formerly at the head
quarters of the Chicago agency, arrived
in this city today, and in company with
Detective Gibson of the local force visited
Emanuel Baptist church and took copi-
Gus notes.
Those people who favor the defense say
that the coming of the detective shows
that the prosecution feels that its case is
not as strong as it claims. Another bit of
important evidence has just come to
light that may strengthen the circum-
stantial evidence against Durrant in the
Williams murder case.
1t is the statement of Chauncey M.Jobn-
son, clerk of the state board of trade ex-
hibit. who states that he saw Durrant in
company with young lady answering
Miss Williams description in the rooms
of the board on April 18th, about .
O'Clock. He remembers them because he
told them they would have to leave, "a it
was closing time.
lie saw Durrant's picture in the papers
and it seemed familiar to him. lie puz-
zled over it till he had recalled the April
10Th incident. Then to make sure shat
they had been there he examined the
visitors register when to his surprise he
discovered that the page of the book for
April 18th was missing-some one had
torn it out. The peculiar circum ssance
in this matter is that Miss Williams left
her former home in Alameda April 18th,
reached this side of the bay at 4 30 D. m.
and yet did not reach the house OF her
friend Mrs. Noy, until after O'Clock.
1t was that night between and 9:l5 that
she was murdered.
SAN FRANCISCO. April 29-For the
first time since the charge of numbering
Miss Marian Williams in the Emanuel
Baptist church of this city was formally
made against W. II. T. Durrant, the pris-
oner has consented to talk. He spoke
frs of the Lamont case. saying:
Poor Blanche. | am accused of strang
ling her and then remaining unmoved at
the details of the most horrible crime in
history. No one will ever know the sor-
row [ feel. and no one could begin to
comprehend my thoughts even if | were
to tell all the anguish her terrible fate
has caused me. | could not have muir
dered that girl. | liked her too well, not
better than any one else in the world, but
| respected and admired her and we were
good friends.
Judging by newspaper communica-
tions I am looked upon as cold-blood
ed, diabolical monster. l am painted as
a devil in human shape, and very little is
said in favor of the possibility Of any
other person having killed those two
girls, but when my trial is over the world
will know that | am innocent. Ny COM
posture and self-control since my arrest
are held against me, but no person will
ever know the terrible ordeal | am under
going. 1t is said that l use opiates to in
duce sleep. That is lie. | am able to
sleep well because my conscience is clear
of all crime. | am not of nervous tenn
permanent and have always been able to
keep cool.
He accuses the police of working solely
from the premises that he was guilty of
the crimes and ignoring all other clews.
Because of Durrant's placid demeanor
under fearful accusations, his sound
sleep and regular eating at a season so
trying to nerves. Durrant makes a study
of intense interest to the psychologist
AT times his hippancy seems strangely
out of harmony With his present posi-
ton. Today the inquest in the Miss La
mont murder case will beign and tomor-
row the preliminary examina ton of Dur
rant in the Miss Williams murder case
will be re sumed.
Durrant was arraigned today in the po-
lice court on charge of murder for the
killing of Blanche Lamont. The defend
ant conducted himself with his usual sto-
icism, and after the formal proce edings
had a long consultation with his dttor-
neys. He complains bitterly, however,
that the public is disposed to PREJUDICE
him. He says that every fact connected
with the murders is made to fit his case,
while suspicious circumstances regarding
Others are disregarded. The coroners
inquest in the Lamont case which COM
menced this evening, will be continued
every night until concluded so as not to
interfere with the preliminary examina-
ton of Durrant for the Williams murder,
to be resumed tomorrow.
Careful analyses always show Price
baking powder TO be absolutely pure.