Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1895-04-20

to this day generally designated as
The Mission" Popular sentiment of
the Mission favOrs the razing Of the
ediice. The feeling extends even TO
those who are not financially interested
in the property, but have an interest in
the moral atmosphere Of the neighbOr-
hood The church has always been
under cloud
A STAIN OF HUMAN BLOOD
marks it's history from one pastor who
killed newspaper proprietor and who
blew out his brains and thence to the
awful tragedy that is now before the
people. Everywhere is heard the ex-
preston, Burn the place down" The
feeling is that the church should never
again be opened as a place of worship.
AS a result of these threatening eX-
preSsiOns the insurance companies
have cancelled their policies. and the
police have been on guard there since
the tragedy. 1t is reported that Durant
and his lawyers are preparing a state
ment outlining the defense. which viii
be an endcavOr TO prove an alibi.
The usual crowd of curiOsity-s seekers
was present when the inquiry began
this morning. Durant and his attOr-
ney were also present. Elmer Wolfe,
the young man whose statements have
been questioned recently, was called to
the stand and offered to produce wit
nesSes to substantiate all he had pre-
yiOusly said in regard to his move
ments on the night Minnie Williams
was murdered. but the coroner de-
clined the offer. and both that official
and the chief of police said they We're
satisfied with WOlfes statements and
did not believe he was connected with
the crime. Two of Durants comrades
i'm the National Guard Company were
examined, and said that on the otter
noon of the night that Minnie Will
li3ms was murdered they saw Durant
lettering about the ferry at the foot Of
Market street. and talked to him. They
said Duraut told them he did not eX-
Dect 10 be at the armOry that night,
and he asked them to respond to his
name at roll call.
DR. Bartlett. who conducted the au-
tOpsy. testified that Minnie Williams
died of asphyXiation, as a result Of hav-
ing part of her clothing forced down
her throat by the murderer, and that
the knife wounds found on various
parts of her body were inflicted after
her death. He also testified that the
girl had been outraged, and that pre-
yious 10 the time of the tragedy she had
LED A BLAAIELESS LIFE.
Several other witnesses were examined
ON minor matters. and about II o'clock
the coroner announced that he had no
more testimony to offer, though he
called Durant to the stand, and the lat
ter LETT his seat as if to present him
self for examination, and then looked
toward his attorneys. who advised him
not TO speak. and no further effort was
made 10 question him.
The jury did not occupy an hour in
deliberation. and returned a verdict
before noon charging Durant with the
murder of Minnie Williams. 1t was
the case Of her death only that was be-
ING investigated The case Of the
murder of Blanche Lamont will be
taken mp later
When Durant was shown the YER
diet after his return 60 the city prison,
his face flushed for the first time since
the terrible crime for which he is ac-
cused was discovered.
Elmer Wolffe's testimony at the in
ruest was slightly mixed, aud some Of
Durants friends thought he knew
more of the crime than he wished to
-su and pointed to the finding of the
1ocket-book to substantiate their
claim. Tt is a peculiar coincidence
that the pocket book should have been
lost by one so closely related to
Wolfe and found at this critical time.
This afternoon the police received
information from laundry that a pair
of bloody trousers had been left for
cleaning. The police say that the
trousers are tcO big for DTant, but
they will trace the clue to find the
owner.