The San Francisco call., 1896-10-21
To RAE THE
TOWER OF DEATH
Scenes of the Emmanuel
Church Crimes to Be
Removed.
The Blood-Stained Spire to Come
Down as Soon as Pos.
Sible.
A FAIR TO SECURE THE FUNDS.
Ceptain Lees Says There Must Be No
Alterations in the Build.
ing.

The noted tower of Emmanuel Baptist
Church on Bartlett street, where the nude
body of murdered Blanche Lamont was
remains of Minnie Williams were dis
covered the day before, is to be removed
After discovering the dreadful tragedy
that blotted out the lives of two innocent
girls and stained the sacred edifce with
blood the question of tearing down the
church and either erecting another build
ing or disposing of the property by sale
arose.
The trustees and members felt keenly
the horrible notoriety that had come upon
their organization, but as they were heav-
lily in debt and had also expended consid-
cradle money in the purchase of the lot
and in the erection Of the church they felt
they could not make the sacrifices neces-
sary.
Consequently. in the face of popular dis
approval, they heroically resolved 10 con.
tinue to worship in the building that bore
the burden of its awful crime, and in the
future, when they could take upon them
selves the additional expense, they would
remodel the structure and, if possible, OBJ
llterate somewhat the ever-present re-
minder OF the great crime of the century.
For this purpose a church fair, to last
several days, was opened last evening by
the lady members of the congregation.
The lower or basement part of The build
ing had been beautifully decorated with
trailing vines and green foliage and in the
bly-room a number of handsome
booths have been put up. In the infant
classroom tables were laid, where refresh
ments will be provided for visitors during
the week.
There are a number of booths hand
somely arranged and presided over by ex-
ceedingly pretty girls, where articles of
use and beauty are disposed of for the
common good of the cause. The fair is
under the direction of the Ladies' Aid
Society, of which Mrs. R. w. Moore is
president. assisted by the Kings Daugh-
ters, Young Peoples and Junior Endeavor
societies. 1t will be open every evening
till Saturday. The admission is 25 cents,
which includes supper.
Robert n. Lynch, the pastors assist
ant, stated that it was the intention
of the officers of the church to make a
great many changes in the building, espe-
cially in that portion fronting on Bartlett
street. He did not think there would be
any objection from the prosecution in the
Durrant case.
One of the trustees present stated that it
was their intention to remodel the entire
building and change the shape of the
tower for reasons well known to the pub
lie, and it being their property there was
no law to prevent them doing as they
choose.
They had permitted the prosecution to
tear up floors, remove doors and other
wise mutiiate the structure, and had
assisted the officers in uncovering the
great and deplorable crime, and now they
m TSt ha nc od mo ho mn
needed repairs and changes.
In an interview late last evening Captain
Lees stated emphatically that he was sure
no changes would be made in the 'ructure
at present, at least not till after the Dur
rant case was ended.
Mr.. Taber, one of the trustees, had Wis.,
tied him few days ago. and during the
conversation between the two the ques-
tion was settled. 1t may be necessary to
visit the tower with witnesses and a new
jury, and for that reason it is better that
no changes be made in the structure.