The Topeka state journal., 1897-11-11
Theodore DGrrant, the MUIR
derer of Blanche Lamont,
Heard His Doom Pronounced
by the California Court.
TOMORROW THE DAY
Appointed for the ExpiatiOn of
His Crime on the GalIOWs.
All Technical Objections Were
Swiftly Set Aside.

San Francisco. Nov. 11.-William Henry
Theodore Durrant the young medical
student condemned to death for the muir
der of Blanche Lamont in this city in
April. 1895. has been brought over from
San Quentin prison and upon being taken
before Judge Bahers was sentenced to be
hanged on tomorrow morning.
CIeanly shaven, with the exception of
his mustache which has been allowed to
attain luxuriant growth during his So
journ in the prison; attired in his best
suit of clothes, over which he wore a
faultIessIy fitting overcOat, light in color
.Durrant made a conspicuous figure on
the train and ferry boat His reappear-
ance in public was the signal for the
gathering of crowds, the eager press of
the multitude to see the arch-murderer,
perhaps to speak with him. and the dem
onstrations along the line of his route
showed that the interest of the people in
his affairs had in no way abated- At
the city hall there were other crowds that
impeded the progress of the party. They
filled the halls, and it was with difficulty
that they were beaten back by the Of
ncers on duty in the corridors near the
court room. Durrant was taken into the
reporters room, adjoining Judge Bahers
court, and remained there until the hour
for hearing the case arrived
Meanwhile an impatient mob thrOnged
the corridors and hammered relentlessly
at the doors of both court room and ante
room. But Sheriff Whelan and his men
were on hand and the rush was success
fully stayed when no more could gain ad-
rafttance to the court room. Promptly
at the appointed hour Judge Bahers
called upon Durrant to stand at the bar
The defendants attorney interposed an
objection to the proceedings upon tech
meal grounds. which was, however, over
ruled.
William Henry Theodore Durrant,
stand up ordered the court.
The young murderer stood up, and then
his marvellous seIf-controI asserted itself
He looked infinitely cooler, wonderfully
better than he did in the anteroom. He
was deadly pale but calm and self-pos-
sessed. He faced the judge without finch
ing and listened intently to the judges
words
Judge Bahers reminded him that on De-
cember 6, 1885, the judgment of death was
pronounced upon him for the murder of
Blanche Lamont April 3. 1895; that
Judgment still remained IN force. An ap-
peal to the state supreme court had been
dismissed and a writ of habeas corpus
denied in the United States court and the
refusal affirmed by the supreme court OF
the United States. the highest tribunal Of
the land. His honor quoted section l22i
of the penal code, provided that if for
any reason a judgment of death still in
force and effect remains unexecuted the
court shall. upon motion of the district
attorney, appoint a time for the hearing
of any legal reason existing for the non
carrying out of the judgment, and in the
event of finding that no such reasons eN-
ist. shall proceed to appoint a time and
place for the execution
1.-The district attorney has made such
motion" said the judge, and I have
summoned you here today, with your
counsel to state any legal reason you
may have to show cause why this Judg-
rnent should not be executed. am ready
to hear from you"
The defendants attorneys again entered
technical objections to the proceedings
but Judge Bahers. after listening patient
" to all they had to say, swept their pro-
tests aside and pronounced Judgment.
SLOWLY and impressively, ordering that the
Young defendant. standing alone in the
crowded court room, be hanged on Fri
dav. November Z, between the hours of
sunrise and noon-
AS the words Friday. November T.
left the judges lips a murmur of horror
ran through the room. Two short days
TO prepare for death, after two years OF
false hope and encouragement
Women hid their faces, while the men
craned their necks to see how Durrant
would take it. He expected it. He never
hinched As the date of his doom was
pronounced. just the suspicion OF a sneer
aDpeared on the corners of his mouth 1t
was the expression of one who would bid
defiance to the last. And when all was
over and the officials began to clear the
court room, he resumed his seat and
11a++ed ,1nconcernedly with his father
and some sympathizing friends
It was some time before the gaping mob
was dispersed. All the while Chief Jailer
sattler and Captain of the Guard Bierton
watched Durrant closely, careful to see
that nothing passed to him from any
friendly handshake. When all was clear
the cuffs were slipped on his wrists, he
was rushed down the staircase into
hack waiting by the entrance. and of to
the ferry. where the boat was taken for
San Quentin and the condemned cell