The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-09-06


down from the upper floor Gibson had
closed the door and had ordered every one
kept out of the steeple. He then tele-
phoned to the Chief and returned alone.
He remained by the body for about five
minutes, and did not wait for the Coroner
to come. On this second visit he had ex-
amined the floor and the body. He OBJ
served the surroundings, the blocks under
the head, the crossed hands and the up
turned feet.
There was some dust on the floor, he
said, but there were so many sticks, papers
and shavings strewn around upon it that
it would have been impossible for foot to
make legible impression. Had there been
dust enough to show any footprints he
claimed he would have noticed it or would
have seen the impr essions.
"Were you interviewed by reporters on the
finding of this body?' said Dickinson.
eyes"
"Did you make this statement?" and reading
from a newspaper clipping, Dickinson con-
tinued: The floor of the landing was covered
with dust
al object to taat," said Barnes. "This quo
tation is too indefinite
'You must call attention to the time and
place add the circumstances surrounding the
interview before you put that question" said
the court.
Dickinson began again with long and
very exact query, but Barnes objected once
more and Dickinson was asked by the
court to be still more explicit He added
few more facts and Gibson said he did not
remember any particular reporter or any
particular interview as there were dozens
of newspaper men around him when the
news was announced.
Dickinson then read some lines about
there being dust on the floor and foot prints
apparently made by No. ore shoe.
Ibid you say that?'' he asked
al never said such thing to any reporter"
Gibson answered.
Nor to any one else?"
ono, sir; nor to any one else?"
More questions as to the dust and the
disturbance, if any there had been, which
the removal of the body had caused were
then put to the witness, but he maintained
| that the floor was not in condition to re-
tain any impressions of anything or any
one.
The examination which Gibson had
made when he returned to the belfry after
notifying the police was then taken up,
the condition of the light, etc.. being fol-
lowed in fullest detail. Then was asked:
"Did you make any examination of any ones
shoes %
"Did you ask for any of Durrant's shoes 2"
mo, sir"
"Did you examine his shoes ?"
"Once, when he was in the City Prison."
"Did you ever visit his house 2"
eyes"
"And search for anything?"
eyes; for some of his clothing"
"Did you look for his shoes p
mo more than for anything else"
"Neyer made any inquiry 2"
"He answered that twice." interrupted the
court.
"You didn't ask his mother for his shoes 2"
continued Dickinson, persistently.
II asked to see the clothing he wore"
. ANSWER my question"
"Wnen she said the only shoes he had he
was wearing didn't you say Only one pair of
shoes p"
al did not"
sIll tell you what I do remember" Gibson
began in the lull that followed his last answer.
1--WE don't ask him to tell us what he remem-
bers unless in answer to our questions broke
in Deuprey.
Il think he is entitled to be heard" said
Barnes, but the court said that could all come
out in his redirect examination.
Gibson's visits to the belfry next came
under discussion. He was asked if he
kept any records of his visits, or made any
report of them. He said he generally made
q report in writing every morning, but he
could not tell whether or not he had made
any particular report as to his trips to the
beifry.
"Did any one suggest that you go to the bel
fry prior to the time that you found the body?"
mo, SIR
"Did not reporter suggest on April 13 that
the belfrey be searehed?"
81 had no talk with any reporter"
"Answer yes no. commanded the court;
and Gibson said, "No, SIR"
he ask to be allowed to go?"
"No, SIR
did you ever take lantern into the belfry2"
ayes, SIR
what was the occasion of taking a Ian
temp
"To read the names scrubbed on the walls
and windows"
These names gave room for more cues
tons, and Gibson had to tell that he
had made a list of them and that
the list was given in to the Chief. Gibson
admitted in answer to earnest queries shat
he had trouble with his eyes when he was
about 20, but on April Is and ID his eve
sight was excellent. This apparently
satisfied the general and he gave way to
Mr.. Barnes.
He took up his cross-examination again.
however, TO ask if he had, before finding
the body, noticed any marks of violence
upon the stairs. Gibson said he had not.
1t was then Mr.. Peixottos turn.
What other entries are there to the
belfry that you subsequently found 2" he
asked.
Counsel for defense, both of them. oh.
iected to the word subsequently," Peix-
otto changed his question, only to meet
more objections, but he finally got Gibson
to admit that he knew of no other than
through the doorway until three weeks
ago.
"Why didn't you break down the door satur.
day night?"
Because the key wouldn't open it, and did
not want to break any doors in the church"
when you called on Mrs Durrant to in
quire about the clothes was 1t prior to the find
Ing OF the body OF Blanche Lamont?"
mo, SIR"
General Dickinson then wanted to SUBJ
NIT samples OF the reports submitted by
Gibson to Captain Lees, and after some
wrangling as to their relevancy he was
allowed to read two of them. They each
stated simply that he, Gibson, had been
engaged on the Durrant case"
Then followed some discussion as to
whether or not the case should go on on
Saturday, but on consulting with the jury
1t was decided to hold no sessions upon
that day and, in the midst of it all, Dis
trlct Attorney Barnes thought of one more
question.
When you visited Mrs. Durrarft what
conversation about clothing or shoes or
anything took placer
Dickinson objected because the question
was incompetent, irrelevant and inmate
rial.
The court sustained the objection and