Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-10-01
His Presence at DR.. Cheney's Lee
ture the Question.
WHAT A FELLOW CLASSMATE SAYS
The Accused Wanted Him to Per.
jue Himself.
PASTOR GIBSON'S STATEMENT

prosecution believes to be testimony of the
| most vital Importance in, the Durrant mur-
der case has at last been obtained from a
student in Cooper College. For months the
prosecution and defense have labored 10
fiji some one among the accused students
classmates who could give some definite In
formation regarding Durrants presence at
the lecture which DIR. Cheney delivered on
the afternoon of April 5.
1t was impossible to find such a student.
No one knew definitely that Durrant was
there. No one could tell anything which
night indicate that Durrant was not there.
At last there has been found a student
who can shed definite light upon the SUBJ
ject. Charles A. Dukes the young man
who sat next to Durrant in the lecture
room. will take the witness stand and
swear that after pAiag unable 20 toll
whether CT not Duran. was present at the
Lecture, the accused student asked him as
a favor to him to say that he was there,
and that he remembered the fact.
Dukes tells this now Only with the great
est reluctance. He says he drew the only
inference that could reasonably be drawn
from the request, whi-n lie could not grant.
For the sake of his classmate Dukes decid-
cd that he would not speak. He says Dur
rant wanted him to remember the fatal day
and his presence at the lecture without any
Il could not grant the favor" said Dukes
but wished to remain silent, as l lId not
wlEt to hurt the case If could help it,
me trial will be taken up again today,
after recess of three DAYS with Robert
MaitIaEd, electrical expert for the defense
or the stand. Just ten weeks nave elapsed
since since the trial commenced, and the iudica-
tons are that it will be ten weeks more
before 1t is finished.
Pastor Gibson Talks.
Now that Rev. George J.. Gibson, pastor
at Emanuel Church, has been virtually ac-
cused by Attorney Duprey Of committing
the murders that have made his church
notorious, he has seen fit to break the
silence which he has maintained ever since
the discovery of the crimes
Rev. Mr.. Gibson has allowed himself to
be interviewed for publication. and the
first question asked was; what do you
think OF Duprey's speech as an argument
In defense Of MIR. Durrant?"
well, 1t Is q mystery to me how any
man OF Mr.. Duprey's age and experience
could deliver such reckless talk when he
held in his hand the life or death Of a fell
low being. Reading between the lines 1t is
easy to see that the speech was not ;he one
ne intended to deliver. 1t resembles the
sermon prepared on Sunday morning after
the preacher discovered that for various
reasons he could not use the one he had
worked on Tor weeks"
ny did you remain silent so long?'
because as witness 1 had no right
to talk. and 1 was willing 10 take My share
of newspaper criticism
DO you think the situation 10 chansedr'
yes. l am virtually accused of the muir
der. My name Is singled out from among
all the witnesses and uttered in loud tones
to the jury Mr.. Duprey has declared the
fight on. The issue now, according to him.
is between Durrant and myself
The speech gives me the right to con-
clude that Durrant concurs in the accusa-
ton. He. through his attorney accuses
me Of having some connection with the
murder of Blanche Lamont. The public
must have noticed that I never accused
him of such a crime"
Rev. Gibson talked in sarcastic manner
about Duprey. and when asked what he
would do If he were arrested. he said. iron
ically. that he would send for Duprey to
defend him.
Were you surprised at his charge against
your
Not at all. His accusation is in har-
mony with all the actions Of the defense
from the beginning. You surely think I
am very simple IL you suppose have been
in ignorance of the work going on in the
underground railway
DO you think the defense will spring
some surprises?"
THAT is a good question, but don't care
to answer IT in public. l think 1 can smell
a rat as well as any other person. l hope
the rat, for mis- own sake. will choose the
right moment to come out OF the hole
When he appears, the cat will not have
bell on its neck"
Your handwriting is going to hgure III
Yes: so Mr.. Duprey says. He knows
what he is talking about. He is just as
sure of my handwriting as he was OF DR..
Cheney's testimony"
what is your opinion about the handling
Of the case?"
"In these days when analogy does duty
for logic 1t is positively refreshing to know
of at least two lawyers who are tntelngcnt
enough to think the people do not see any
differences between a bluff and fact
Don't you think they are faithful?'
Yes; they are piling up exceptions that
are crushing the righteousness out of their
case. Every technicality Is a curse thrown
into the face of the friend they profess 70
defend No witness has done SO much
against Durrant as the actions Of his at
torneys. would rather be hanged than
saved by such means as Mr.. Duprey and
Mr. Dickinson are employing.
What do you think of DurrantT'
"Whatever peoples opinions are. there
are few but think that he deserves wealth
in the hour of trouble to have as his best
friends two men whose fame outshines
their wisdom"
Homes Of the Defense.
The attorneys for the defense are building
on what f. A. Diggins will testify to. Dig
gins is a member of the sophomore class,
but frequently attended the senior class lee
lures. There he met the defendant. Tho
latter claims that he spoke to Diggins dur
ing DR.. Cneneys lecture on the afternoon
that Blanche Lamont disappeared, but Dig
gins memory is rather hazy just at present.
Charles Lenah1n will be called to the stand
to tell of having taken diamond ring, some
what resembling the one worn by Blanche
Lamont to Pawnbroker Oppenheim. At
first a great deal of importance was attached
to this witness by the defense, but of late
his testimony has lost weight, as he did not
visit the store until the afternoon of April 13.
Again, LeEahal does not bear the slight
est resemblance to Durrant, and it is not
possible that one could be mistaken for tho
other. Their dress was dissimilar, and in
personal appearance they form strong
contrast on account of difference in size,
build and facial expression.
District Attorney Barnes and Captain Of
Detectives Lees getting ready to put in
their rebuttal testimony, which they expect
to make almost strong the direct.
They will have lot of writing experts to
combat any testimony that might implicate
Rev. j. G. Gibson in having written the adj
dress on the newspaper in which Miss La
monts rings were sent to her aunt, Mrs.
NobIa-