The San Francisco call., 1895-11-04
EARLY SUSPICIOUS.
The Statement Made by Chief
Crowley on April II.

The Statement Made by Chief
Crowley on April II.
Chief Crowley prepared statement for
the press on April IA, the day of Durrant's
arrest, and the same appeared in THE CALL
on the morning of the 18th, as follows:
81 was informed that Durrant called to
see Miss Williams at Mr. Morgan's resi-
dence, Visale station, Alameda, the latter
part of last week, and he said he would like
to ask her something special. She replied
that if he had anything to say, to say it
then, and she then told him that she was
going over on Friday to attend a
social by her church, which was to be held
at DR.. Vogel's house that Friday. At
o'clock that day she left her home in Ala
media to go to the hair-dresser, returning
to her home in Alameda in time to catch
the o'clock train and boat for this City,
which she did. l learned that Durrant
was seen at the ferry on that day at P. M.
by two different persons.
"She arrived in this CITY and went to
Mrs. Vogeps house, 1907 Howard street,
getting there about O'Clock. AT about
7:15 she left Mrs. Vogel's house, and saying
she was going to attend church social at
DR.. Vogel's house.
.'She did not attend the social, but per
son answering her description and per-
son answering Durrant's description were
seen at the corner OF Bartlett and Twenty
third streets at about s: 80 P. NJ. that night
They went down the street toward the
church and remained a short time in front
of the gate at the side entrance. The man
was noticed to have made motion as if
using key and opened door and they
were both seen to go in. Durrant made
his appearance at DR.. Vogels house at
q n md rar,,
until 80.
/ , "Dr. Vogel states that at the time Dur
rant arrived at his house he noticed that
he was somewhat exercised and that great
beads OF perspiratIon came from his fore
head. His hair was disheveled and he
asked DR.. VogeFs permission to wash his
| hands and comb his hair before he made
his appearance where the young people
were, stating to the doctor that he had
| Just returned from the Signal Corps and
consequently his hands were soiled. He
afterward came downstairs after washing
his hands and combing his hair, and dur
ing the evening read letter purporting to
have come from his sister in Germany, and
after reading the letter he seemed more
| composed. About q month ago | am in
formed that on one occasion Durrant ac-
companled young lady from church, and
during the conversation asked if she was
| not suffering from some complaint
when Durrant left DR.. Vogel's at about
1880 he left there in company with a
young man named Wolf and mum Der of
| young ladies. They walked from VogePs
house to Twenty-fourth and Howard
streets, where they separated and Durrant
continued west on Twenty-fourth street.
Az apout l2;25 Wolf went to his stable and
saddIed his horse and crossing the corner
OF Twenty-fourth and Bartlett streets,
noticed Durrant standing on that corner
Ihese facts being made known to me |
detailed Detective Seymour to Tamalpais,
| understanding that Durrant was to go
there, and Detective Anthony to go to Mt.
| Diablo. l was informed that Durrant
might be at either place
Il also came to the conclusion that the
same person who murdered Miss Williams
had something to do with the disappear
ance of Miss Lamont. | kept these facts
to myself and only advised the detectives
who were working on the case of my sus-
plclons. l told them that l also thought
the body of Miss Lamont would be found
In the church. | accordingly instructed
Detectives Gibson and Cody to take what
force of officers they required and make
thorough investigation of the church.
They, with Sergeants Burke and Rey-
nolds, went to the church and found the
body of Miss Lamont in the steeple. I
then directed Sergeant Burke, being satls-
| he'd that my suspicious were correct, to go,
on my responsibility, to Durrant's house
and search for anything procurable. Burke
| took Officer Joseph with him, and they
found long ulster and photograph al.
bum containing photo of himself and
two of Miss Williams, and in the pocket
OF the ulster was found the purse of Miss
Williams, containing an Oakland car
| ticket. The purse has been positively
identified by Miss Williams father, as he
gave it to her as Christmas gift last
| Christmas"
The fact that the Chief had laid the
foundation for the chain of circumstantial
| evidence so adroitly welded together by
Captain Lees and his force has been en-
tirely lost sight of.
Captain Lees was at the time of the dis
covery of the murder of Minnie Williams
In Los Angeles, and the Chief for week
afterward had the entire direction OF affairs,
| and he showed the same sagacity and skill