Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1897-05-27
DURRANT'S CASE.
An Old Soldier Swears Parson Glib
son Committed the Murders.
A SMALL RIOT IN A LEGISLATURE.
An Inquest Held on the Two Men Shot by
Whltecaps In Mountain Grove, Mo-
Creek Onicials Killed Boys
Struck by Lightning.

MoNTEvIsTA, COL, May N.-William
r. Bryant, an aged inmate Of the SOL
diers' home at this place, yesterday
made sworn statement to the effect
that Theodore Durrant. who Is under
sentence Of death for the murder OF
Blanche Lamont in Emmanuel church,
San Francisco, is not guilty OF the
crime, but that Rev. ]. George Gibson,
pastor Of the church, is the murderer.
His statement is as follows:
My name Is william T. Bryant I am %
years old; have lived In California since lS4S
up to March 1895; am familiar with the loca-
ton OF the Emmanuel Baptist church In which
Blanche Lamont was murdered was In the
church the night Of the murder; saw Rev. J.
George Gibson with woman In his arms In the
body Of the church going toward the south cor
ner Of the church, heard him say; This
kills that evidence" I know Rev J. George
Gibson perfectly WELL heard the woman
groan number OF times as though In mortal
agony. make this statement as an act OF JUS
tce to On innocent man. Theodore Durrant
did not murder Blanche Lamont, but Rev. ],
George Gibson did. WILLIAM T. BRYANT.
The witnesses of the signature are
Commander 3. NJ. French Of the home
and F. W. Garrettson, and Mr.. Bryants
oath is certified by Harvey W. Green,
notary public. Bryant has been in the
home but few months, having resided
in Denver a year prior to his admis-
sion.
A SMALL RIOT IN A LEGISLATURE
SPRINGFIELD, ILL.,, May sl.-The aft
ernoon session of the lower house of
the legislature yesterday was marked
byariot among the Legislators. Waste
baskets, books and other articles were
hurled back and forth, and Repre-
sentative Novak, Of Chicago, made an
attack on the speaker. Novak was
hurled from the platform and roughly
handled by the republican members.
The disturbance was finally quelled
before anyone was seriously injured
The trouble was caused by the speak
er's refusal to recognize Novak.
THE MURDERS AT MOUNTAIN GROVE.
MOUNTAIN GROVE, Mo-, May s1.-Ex-
element over the double murder Of
John Mitchell and Jack Coffman by
whitecaps Wednesday night is still
running high. There was small pre-
tense of holding an inquest over the
dead men late Thursday night, and
the verdict was that the shooting was
done by parties unknown to the jury.
Dave Mitchell, the wounded man, still
claims he recognized three Of the mob,
but, being afraid Of his own life, he
has not yet given any Names
CREEK OFFICIALS KILLED.
MusKoGEE, |. T.. May sl.-A courier
brings the news that Judge Freeland
Marshall and Capt. Berryhill, chief of
the light horsemen, with other Creek
officials, We're cutting down illegal
pasture fences near 0kmulgee, when a
cowboy employed by the Texas stock
man, whose fence was being cut APP
peared with Winchester, and killed
Judge Marshall and Capt Berryhill in
stantly and wounded two Of the light
horsemen.
BOYS STRUCK by LIGHTNING.
ST. PAUL, Mimi, May 2l.-ln Man.
yaska township about seven miles
south of this place, four boys were
struck by bolt of lightning Two Of
them were instantly killed and the
other two were seriously injured and
at this time it is doubtful If the in
jured will recover A heavy storm
was in progress mt the time.