The record-union., 1895-09-21

SAN FRANCISCO, Sept. 20-The only
point at all favorable TO Durraut brought
out thus far in the trial was brushed aside
by the prosecution to-day. This was the
statement of Organist George X. hlng
that he smelt gas upon entering the
church on the day of the Blanche La
mont murder. The fact gave coiorlng 70
the statement of Durrant that there was a
leak in the gaspipes above the ceiling
which he claimed to be fixing.
Janitor Frank \. Sademan, who was
placed on the stand by the prosecution
to-day, explained that the gas, the odor
OF which attracted Kings attention. came
from a loose cock on the chandelier in the
yestibuIe at the entrance to the church.
Sademan was otherwise an important
witness, as he said he had met Durrant al
the ferry on the day OF the Minnie W ILL.,
Jams murder and that Durrant had then
told him that he was waiting to intercept
Blanche Lamont. as he had heard tnal
she was that afternoon going to cross the
bay. This witness also testified that the
mechanism connected with the lighting
apparatus was not in need OF repair from
Durrant or anybody else on the day OF
the murder.
The other iInportaut witness of the day
WAS Adolph OppenheIm, the paWnbroke er,
who said that a lew days alter the muir
DER a man he recognized as Durrant came
10 his store and tried 10 sell one of The
rings taken from the dead girls fingers
and SEM to her aunt through the mail.
This ring was pick ed out by the witness
from among the three taken from VI lss
Lamont by the murderer. 1t had CHIP
diamond in shield top, and was rather
peculiar. It's peculiarly is what Open
helm said attracted his attention. The
incident happened within lew days ot
his birthday, and that he SAID dAed The
time in his mind.
on cross-examinatiOn Oppenheim was
shown another ring very similar to the
one taken from Miss Lamont aud was
asked ii he had it presented 10 him for
sale He said he had not. The defense
also placed two other rings III evidence,
ana by these il is expected that It viii try
10 discredit the testimony OF the pawn
broker by introducing witnesses VINO
tried TO sell him a ring about the same
time.
Oppenheim is the last OF the prOsecu-
tion's main witnesses. The case as al
ready represented viii be fortified with
testimony to show that DurrauL did not
attend the lecture in the college on the
afternoon OF the murder. and that OF d VII
ness VINO says he sdN a IiidI il6 ItSu mes
as Durrant coming out OF the pawnShOp
one morning about the time Durrant Is
supposed TO nave tried 10 dispose OF the
ring.
But all the main points have been
made. The case. therefore, consists CT
having shown by reputable witnesses
that Durraut was in Miss Lannon's COM
pauy on the morning OF the day OF the
murder, anu that be met her at the school
and accom- panied her 10 the church, where
he was seen in an excited or collapsed
condition a short time after the murder IS
thought to have been committed. This
AMI the incidents OF the attempted sale Of
the ring, and his not having attended a
lecture when he should have been there.
face the defense when II comes forward to
put on its case next week.
The defense is still confident and reti-
cent, and though many rumors as to
what it will try TO prove have been set
atloat, nothing authoritative has yet been
learned. 1t is not thought that the coun-
sci for the defense Will even outline its
case IN The opening statement, which
may be made next week.