The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1899-03-22

named were very decided in the opinion
over, exhibited before the jury several
specimens Of dura matters, one Of which
was normal and the others demonstrating
stages of meningitis. This exhibition APP
peared TO have a distinct impression upon
the jury.
Dr. Eastman also testified that the skull
of Lillian showed more blood staining
than is usually the case in a normal skull
and that the stains are ante-mortem.
d. r. Elliott, who, since the commission
of the alleged murder. has occupied the
Brandes home on Telegraph avenue, was
next called by the prosecution and testi-
ined the stairs leading 10 the basement IN
the house down which BrandeS claims he
drew the trunk and found no mark, dent
or scratch on the stairs.
Mrs NJ Godfrey was this afternoon re-
called and reiterated and emphasized her
testimony given at the Coroner's inquest
13randes' home on Tuesday night, NoVem-
Der is, she heard him tell the girl that ne
would beat her TO death II she didn'
find that money" He had cursed and
used profane language on that occasion.
The surprise of the day, however was
now In order The defense called Amos
Lunt, who for many years and until two
years ago performed the functions OF
hangInan at San Quentin. That his sud-
den appearance in court had narrowing
effect upon the accused was evidenced by
the extreme pallor of Brandes. Once only
did the accused murderer glance at the
ex-hangman during his narrative.
81 have hanged twenty murderers in my
time" said Mr., Lunt in response to a
question from Attorney Bennett, but l
seldom examined the bodies after the trap
dropped. l have not usually examined the
one-fnch rope that is used, because there
are always so many people who want a
piece of this as souvenir. SO l do not
know of a case where blood appeared on
the rope. However, in most cases OF
hanging there is just little abrasion
when there was an execution it was
my duty to hang the condemned; / at
tended TO that business. usually went
on the sCaffold and took the rope down
from the beam and examined and tested
It. 1 tested the knot. MY ambition. was
ALWAYS to have everything right and cor
the moose around the neck OF the con-
demned, pull down the black cap, tighten
the moose, take off my hand and give the
signal and down 1t goes. That settles it."
Tt was here that Brandes glanced quick
" at the eX-hangman and as quickly
glanced to the floor again, with an appa-
rent shudder
p s. Brown, superior guard at San
Quentin, was next called.
Browns testimony was even more in
teresting than that Of the preceding wit
ness. He testified that he has had made
close observations in three cases of judi
cial hangings at San Quentin, particular
~ In reference TO MARKS on the neck maze
when the rope is removed" said Wit
ness Brown, Il usually found II leaves a
reddish mark or the neck In one partic-
mar case four hours after the execution,
The mark assumed still redder color at
the edges, with purple In the CENTER and
finally II becomes a copper color I also
examined the ropes after hanging and
never found on them any blood.
''In the execution of Theodore Durrant
tho rome was burned. j assisted in taking
Durrart's body down. In the latter case
and in that OF Harvey Allender I found
abrasIons on the size of the neck opposite
to that on which the knot was fastened
on Durrants neck there was an abrasion
on the right side, but no blood and no
abrasion on the left side. Inc Knot Is
usually under the left ear.
THE mark on Durrant's neck first 8. as,