The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-11-07
She Made a Confdant of Frank
Young, an Alameda
Baker.
NEW WITNESS FOR THE PEOPLE.
W. H. Theodore Durrant to Be SEN
fenced Tomorrow for the Murder
of Blanche Lamont.

Theodore Durrants attorneys in the trial
OF the young medical student for the MUIR
der of Blanche Lamont was the argument
that he had no motive for committing the
deed. They put numerous witnesses on
the stand and proved a previous good
character for their client, and General Dick
inson in his argument laid great stress on
the character of those witnesses; that they
were eminentIy reliable people, whose tes
timony could not be doubted. If, then,
the accused's previous character had been
so far above reproach what possible mo-
tive could he have had for numbering
Blanche Lamont? That was General
Dickinson's argument. and he iterated and
reiterated the question, when did Theo-
dore Durrant become monster?"
But Notwithstanding the jury convicted
the defendant student, and now he is to be
tried for another equally fendish crime.
That question will be asked again, but the
prosecution will not, in answering it, be
compelled to offer only theory, as was
the case in the recent trial.
Barnes will answer: Minnie Williams
knew too much about the disappearance
of Blanche Lamont"
Mr.. Barnes will not make that answer as
a theory unsupported by evidence, for
there is witness to be called who can tes-
tify that those words came from Minnie
Williams own lips.
Frank Young of the firm of Daniels &
Young, bakers of Alameda, is the witness
who can do so much to assist the people in
proving the second charge of murder
against Theodore Durrant by giving testi-
mony that will furnish motive for the
killing of Minnie Williams.
The unfortunate girl knew too much
about the disappearance of Blanche La
mont. 1t is not known what she knew,
but she knew something that would have
made her a damaging witness against the
then unaccused student. The dark finger of
suspicion was already pointing at Dur
rant, and ne expected to be momentariIv
charged.
He must get Minnie Williams and her
knowledge out of the way; then he would
be secure. This is the theory that goes
hand in hand with the knowledge that the
girl knew something that would go far to-
ward convlcting the man who is now her
alleged slayer.
IL know too much about the disappear-
ance OF Blanche Lamont"
Those were the words Minnie Williams
spoke to Frank Young in his store at Ala
media on Thursday, the day before she was
murdered. How she came to say it is best
told IN Mr.. 1oung's own language, as he
related 1t to CALL reporter at his rooms
1921 Park street, Alameda, last evening.
Mr.. Young said:
Il have known Minnie Williams since
she first came to Alameda and was on
quite friendly terms with her. She often
came into the store on business and other
errands while she lived with the Morgans
W M inf tIan+ i
have chat on those occasions, so 1 got to
know her quite well.
''She came to the store on Thursday the
day previous to Good Friday, and I no.
tlced at once that she was quite changed
In manner from what l had always
seen. She had always been SO lively
and chatted and tested so good naturedly.
But noticed on this day that she wore
very long face. was preoccupied and
seemed very much worried about some
thing, and being, as l say, accustomed to
talk with her on subjects aside from the
BUSINESS she came on l naturally asked
her what was the matter. | knew she had
been acquainted with Blanche Lamont.
and surprising she had been quite intimate
with her asked more in the way of saw
ing something than for any other reason,
II she was down hearted over the disap-
pearance of her friend.
"She hesitated a moment and then
~
appearance of Blanche Lamont
Il was somewhat surprised at the reply
but must confess mildly So for at that
time l had only noted casually, as any
Total stranger TO the circumstances might
that such a girl had disappeared. Still
was surprised enough to be interested and
asked her what she knew. She seemed to
act as II she had said something she had
not meant TO, and making some evasive
answer, winch do not now recall, left the
store.
gave the matter no further attention
until Durrant was accused of the crimes
Then that conversation came back to me-
L kept still about il, however. as | did not
wish to be drawn into the case, for l knew
II would take me away from nv business
and that | could not afford | felt this
way TIL after Durrant was held by the Cor
oners jury, and then felt relieved, for
l had also felt as though T shon1d
have offered my testimony' But after
that. as say, | felt relieved and then de-
elded to keep still and keep out of the case
for have felt that there would have been
enough. evidence for conviction without
my testimony.
However, what know the authorities
are welcome to, If it is of any benefit.
probably should not have said anvthin o
now II you had not come to ME, and for
the life OF me can't understand how Won
found it OUT ~"
Mr.. Young is the junior partner in the
firm OF Daniels & Young, who conduct the
business known as the Home Bakery on
Park street, Alameda
He is most reputable young man and
has the esteem OF a large number of ac-
qualntances on the other side of the hav
His relations with Minnie Williams were
OF such friendly nature that he had an
appointment to meet her here in the City
on the night the murder was committed
but knowing his business would interfere
had informed her during that visit to his
store on Thursday morning that he would
have TO break the engagement.
The police are not yet in possession of
Mr.. Young's information, but he is ready
to tell them the same story he related last
evening to THE CALL.