The age-herald., 1897-11-24
DURRANT'S GUILT
 OR INNOCENCE Now Hangs on a Thread of Fra-
 giIe Texture. A STfzg LING CONFESSION Made } : lanther Forbes, Who Shielded 7 In a Texas Jail.
 
 SAYS THAT HE, AND NOT DURRANT, Murdered Blanche Lamont, Minnie Wil- Hams and Mrs. LangfeIdt. WROTE THUS TO A FELLOW PRISONER The Letter Was Written the First of March and Had Been Hidden in the Lining of
 Coat Owned by the Receiver
 What Is Next :?
Murdered Blanche Lamont, Minnie WiI-
 Hams and Mrs. LangfeIdt.
WROTE THUS TO A FELLOW PRISONER

Houston, Tex, Nov. 23.-A special to the Post from Morgan Texas, says:
 In March last in the columns of the Post was noted the death of Joseph D. Blanthsr alias Forbes, who suicided in the Meridian jail in this county on March 2. Though escaping the keen viz ilanoe of the most famous detectives of the country Besqre county was the scene of the ending of his evsntful career But developments of the past few days bring to light even a more startling crime in which he is self-confessed than was the murder eff Mrs. Langfeldt for which he was hunted.
 While Blanther was incarcerated in the Meridian jail there was also a fel- low prisoner. named Pitts, who was ar- rested on some minor charge and occu- pied the cell adjoining that of Blanther. Pitts is a. farmer who now lives near Credell, this county, and is known to have conversed with Blanther. during his two or thres days confinement. In d letter to Wo-d, Dillard & Word, attor- neys of Meridian, under date of Nov 22, MT. Pitts ercloses a letter from Blanther and says:
 An Important Letter.
 "I have been looking through some pa- pers that had on file in jail at Meridian and I found the enclosed sheet, which speaks fer f,self:
 ''The papers alluded to here worked through a hole in my coat pocket, hence tha delay in not discovering them sooner. I now remember that Forbes or Blan- ther asked me the evening he took fhe poison at night which coat was mine of several that were hanging in the cell he occupied. I never thought of the ques- ton he asked until I found the letter he wrote. I send it to you thinking that you best know who to notify in California. I hope that may be worth something to you in the way of saving Durrant, of California, who I unders tand, Is sen-. fenced to- death for killing Miss La- mont"
 It's Startling Contents.
 Following is the Blanther letter:
 Meridian Jail-To MT. Piuts: As this Is my last day on earth, I wish to say that I cannot die without telling the truth. I murdered Mrs Langfeldt, also Blanche Lamont and Minnie Williams. I put this in your coat pocket and hope you will find it in time to save the life of DuIrant. It may also be of service to MT Wornmack Tn getting his reward money. I want you to have my watch for your kindness to me. You have my best wishes and I hope your troubles will end, but not ss mine.
 (Signed) "BLANTIIIDR FORBES"
 Said To Be Genuine. Tho letter written by Blanther was compared with a letter written by him ito County Treasurer Randall, while he (Blanther) was teaching school at Kop- perel, this county and Identification Is pronounced to be beyond doubt. Cashier Rudasill, of the First National bank of Meridian, says 1t compares favorably with Blanther's handwriting, while oth- CTS have hesitancy in pronouncing the letter Litter written by Blanther
 Another written confession is now in the hands of Word, billiard & Word, of Meridian, who will notify the San Fran cisco officials of the startling confession.