The Wichita daily eagle., 1898-01-08
FULL HISTORY OF THE CASE
Crime, Clue. Arrest. Trial and the
Fight For DELAY.

William Henry Theodore Durrant, who
was hanged at the state prison at San
| Quentin today. gave his life in exchange
for thelives of two young women who
were members of the church to which he
belonged. While Durrnat was convicted
of but one murder under the law, he was
! held responsible by public opinion for the
murder of both Blanche Lamont and Min
ME Williams, and it is felt that his death
expiates one crime as much as the other
Durrant's crimes were peculiar in their
atrocity, from any point OF view. He was
reared in a Christian home, and until the
time of his arrest was regarded as
model young man of Industrious habits,
who was trying TO work his way through
a medical college. The only character
istic that seemed marked in his nature
was his piety. He had been a prominent
member of the Emanuel Baptist church
for several years and for year previous
to his arrest had been assistant superin-
tendent of the Sunday school. In this ca
pacity he made the acquaintance of
Blanche Lamont and Minnie Williams,
both of whom were destined to be muir
dered by him in the church where they
worshiped together.
TWO MISSING GIRLS.
Blanche Lamont disappeared on April
3rd. 1895, and was never seen alive after
wards. She left the home of her aunt.
Mrs. c. G.. Noble, on that day TO go to
school. and for 10 days no trace of her
could be found. Many memebrs of the
Emanuel church assisted in the search
for the missing girl. and among others
was Theodore Durrant, who had often
acted as Miss Lamont's escort.
He seemed greatly distressed on ac-
count of Miss Lamont's disappearance.
and at length expressed the belief that
she had Joined the ranks of fallen wo-
men. This theory seemed plausible TO
the police. and a search was made among
the places where it was believed the mis-
singgirl might be found. Durrant assis-
ted in the inquiry. which came TO naught
Ten days had passed since Miss Lamont
disappeared, and her friends had almost
given up hope Of ever knowing her fate, !
when a discovery was made which led to
the finding of Miss Lamont's body.
The ladies Of the Emanuel church were |
aratory to the celebration of the Easter 1
Sunday services. whenthe mangled body /
OF Minnie Williams was found. almost 4
naked. in the library. a number Of ugly /
knife wounds and some rags that had 4
been forced down her throat told OF the /
unequal struggle the young woman had 4
made TO protect her honor.
THE FIRST CLUE.
Miss Williams body was discovered in 4
the afternoon. and late the same night I
the first clue 20 the murderer was OBJ
tanned. From some OF the young woman's
friends II was learned that she had been
seen in the evening before with Durrant
and although there was nothing else 10
show that he had any connection with the
crime. the police decided 20 arrest him.
DurrautS home was visited late AZ night
but he was not there His parents said
that he had left at midnight with the sig
nal corps Of the National Guards. 20 1
which he belonged. 70 make some hell
eSraphing experiments on Mt Dizbio. (
The next train carried TWO detectives TO-
wards the mountain. and, after complet-
ing their Journey By stage. Durrsat was
found late in the afternoon and arrested
Bu; the news that he was charged with
the murder of Minnie Williams was 10.
first impaired % him BY the officers A
message was flashed on the rays Of tie
sun by the photographers in this city who
~ere taking part in the experiments os
the sisnal corps. zat DUrrsnt knew that