Evening journal., 1895-10-11
SET TRAPS FOR DURENT
The Alleged Murderer on the
Rack For Hours.
COOL UNDER GROSS EXAMINATION


The Prisoner contradicied His own State
ments Several Times and Told an Alb
surd Story. but Came out Of the ordeal
Fairly wen.
SAN FRANcTsCo oct. 11.-Under the
rigid cross examination of District Attor-
ney Barnes, Theodore Durant made a
humber Of answers that aro regarded as
decidedly incriminating, inasmuch as
they appear TO be in direct conflict with
well established facts, and then changed
his replies when he realized that he was
on dangerous ground.
He gave an explanation Of a clew regard
ing Blanche Lamont's s disappearance, said
TO have boon received by him, that was so
palpably falsehood that everybody in
court laughed aloud. Tho sitting atmos-
phore OF the oyercrowded courtroom came
20 Durant's rescue, and he was enabled TO
recover from his confusion during the
short recess that followed.
When he again came to the stand, he
remained calm during the most trying
ordeals. The prosecution was nevorthe-
less well satisfied with tho days work.
Two days before the body Of the young
woman was discovered Durant said as he
was standing at the corner of Market and
Montgomery streets a stranger approached
him and asked If his name was not Du-
rant. The stranger then asked Durant
II, in Wow of the fact that his name had
been unpleasantly connected with the dis
appearance Of the girl, he would not
like TO find her. Durant replied that he
would be ovorjoYod even 20 obtain trace
Of the missing girl.
"Watch the ferries then, " the stranger
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 infor
nation. He went 60 lunch and from there
10 the ferry, where he remained until 5
o'clock, not having caught glimpse Of
the missing girl While he was waiting,
however, he saw three medical students
and an old sohoolmate. One Of these men
has already testified that he saw Durant
acoost schoolgirl whose description an
swered that of Minnie Williams, who was
murdered that night and ride away to-
ward the mission on a Howard street car.
Recovered his Composufe.
Mr. Barnes asked him II no told any
body else of the clew given him by the
stranger, so they could continue the search.
Durant said he had no opportunity to tell
any of Miss Lamont's friends. When
questioned closely, Durant admitted that
he attended a meeting OF the Young Peo-
pies society the same evening whore he
saw several Of Miss Lamonts intimate
friends. Among othors was Thomas Vogel.
whom Durant had said moment before
was moro interested in the disappearance
of the young woman than anybody else
except Mrs. Noble, her aunt. Durant adj
mitted that he had a private conversation
with Vogel, but did not think TO tell him
about tho Glow he had obtained
After a short recess, during which Du-
rant recovered his composurc, a surprise
was sprung on him in the hope that IL
might disooncert him. After asking Du-
rant II nc had ever made written state
ment of his whereabout on tho day
Blanche lamont was murdered, and re-
oeiving an affirmative reply, District At
torney Barnes asked the following quos-
tion:
"Is IL not a fact that you sent a written
statement OF your case TO your attorney
and wrote on the envelope TO be opened
II am convicted and 20 be returned IL l
am acquittedY
The excitement caused by this question
was intense. In tho hum Of voices Du.
rants answer was lost. and tho stenogra-
pher was asked 20 read the reply.
II never sent an envelope to my attor-
neys bearing such an inscription, said no
Durant was questioned at length re-
parding tho communication and the sig
niflcant inscription on tho envelope, but
he denied that he over sont such docu-
mont.
Durant was noxt shown tho various
Oarmonts worn nv BlnuchO Lamont and
asked II he had socreted thom in the bel
fry, where they were found. He identified
the pieces of clothing as the ones worn by
Miss Lamont on the day Of her death, but
said no did not hide thom in tho church.
Durant's strong nerves were tested by a
number Of questions relative TO tho last
time no saw Miss lamont, but no stuck
to his former statements on that point.