The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-04-21
A BLOODY SHOE IS FOUND IN THE CHURCH.

and Valencia streets, where Mr.. Gibson
lodges.
Mr.: Lynch yesterday received and con-
veyed to the pastor an offer of the columns
of the CALL in which to make any state
ment he pleased in answer to the unjust
things being said about him, and in the
evening astatement was given in response
to an urgent request But the statement
was the private secretary's, made, of
course, with Mr.. Gibson's knowledge and
approval.
The statement touches on two points
only. These are the employment of pri-
vate secretary to do the interviewing, etc.,
which has caused some perverse and light
veined comments, and the failure of Mr..
Gibson to visit his parishioner, Durrant, in
prison. A more complete statement of the
PASTORS position, from his own standpoint,
will likely be made in two or three days.
The statement it as follows:
April 20, 1895.
Many people are saying and writing hard
things about DR.. Gibson because he has de-
ciined TO be interviewed by reporters, and to
express opinions and give theories about the
terrible crimes in Emmanuel Church. his
reasons are very simple, and If every critic
would place himself in his position he would
see al once that the doctor has adopted the
wisest course for all concerned in the case.
The public want clear statement from him.
He is not an eXcitable person, as some have
~,
being found, he has been pursued by all kinds
of people till he has scarcely had one calm
moment to himself. viii not the public have
just little mercy on man in such clrcum-
stances? Each day so many called that 10 see
and talk with all was impossible. Eaeh day
would have needed the length of two days.
Think of the strain on ones physical strength.
Think of the mental condition OF a man in his
position having so many interests to think Oh
the interests of the law and of every one in the
case, even If he laid everything aside that was
personal He could not make time and could
not possibly see every reporter.
The presence of a private secretary need not
cause any comment. The doctor cannot pos
sibly receive reporters and callers and trans
act all his business alone. He has been and is
at present crowded with so much work that he
cannot possibly do it and needs help. Every
public man has right to employ such a seere-
tary and the choice of the person may be left
to the employer.
His secretary is young man in whom he
has perfect confidence, and who can be seen
with him everywhere he goes. Through this
representative he is always willing to see the
press and Others interested in the case. The
secretary is pleasant with those who are the
same TO him. and thus does great amount of
work which would be left undoue but for him.
DR.. Gibson's reasons for not visiting Theo
Durrant are very simple His friends know
that ne was ready to call on Mrs. Durrant with
one of the deaconS to arrange q call on Thee,
but so many callers came that they were pre-
vented carrying out that arrangement. Next
day Mrs. w A. Durrant's letter came out in the
CALL, wednesday, april Il.
She wrote: "Why did Mr.. Gibson want to
hush the matter up at first and why did he re-
fuse 10 let the police have the keys TO the
church," Then follows something about
man of 40 about whom Miss Williams
spoke This letter put an end to any hope of
visiting Theodore Durrant The insinuation
that the preacher was either the murderer or
knew of the murders was in itself sufficient to
keep him away from Durrant. The evidence
before the Coroner proves that Dr. Gibson
never tried to hush the matter up, and he
never had the keys OF the church in his posses
sion or even in his hand.
He has, as stated at the inquest, a key to en-
ter the door at the side of the church. On the
heels of Mrs Durrants insinuation came re-
port that Theodore Durrant remarked that he
was arrested but DR.. Gibson was not, and that
the minister was the last one in the church.
This statement from Durrant may be correct.
but the insinuation, whether by him or the
press, showed DR.. Gibson that it would be UNI
wise TO visit him. Again, the CALL of Friday,
April 10, does DR.. Gibson the justice of stating
his reasons for not calling at the prison. Yet
every one has overlooked this statement. True,
he did not send his reasons TO the papers, but
his reasons are expressed almost word for word
as he uttered them to one who was in a respon-
sible position, and position TO communicate
them 10 Durrant.
Evidently they were not communicated. The
doctor told this gentleman that if Theo
wished TO see him all he had TO do was TO let
his pastor know, and, no matter the conse-
quences TO himself, he would go. In this ter
rible business DR.. Gibson did think that even
Theo should tell him TO do what was wisest by
saying "COme."
Again, the doctor wrote letter to Durrants
father on Thursday, the 18th, asking him to
come and see him; but up 10 this date no reply
has been received.
Whenever DR.. Gibson was placed under the
slightest suspicion in any way connected with
the murders his duty as q pastor TO call on
Theo Durrant ceased.