The San Francisco Call. Newspaper, May 1, 1895, Page 5

THER REQUEST DENIED, TAE SAN FRANCISCO CALL, WEDNESDAY, MAY 1, 1895. Durrant’s Counsel Wanted a Discharge or Release on Bail. OTHERS VISITED THE BELFRY. Strange Remarks Which Were Made by the Janitor’s Son—Lamont Inquest. The tower of the Emmanuel Baptist ] ch was not the lonely, deserted spot 1 those believe who argue that dore Durrant must be guilty of two use they assume that he vely familiar acquaint- den nooks and corners of There is evidence to show not only were balf a hundred others to the now haunted ,belfry but ir visits were so frequent as to become ce of annoyance. fway up the stairs which lead from e brated tower door to the beliry, where Blanche Lamont's body was found, is a small opening, perhaps a foot square, which lights the interior. A shutter swinging inward serves to close the aperture in stormy weather, but ly it stands wide open. Visitors to Ifry must pass this open shutter, and passing it can have no other destinatiou than the now blood-stained floor at the op of the tower. That the visitors were numerous the shutter bears silent but incontrovertible witness. It has but one smooth surface, but that is covered from top to bottom with names written in pencil. Some have been there for yea nd the weather has deft: of them “only scarcely perceptible The Key to the Side Door of Emmanuel Church. marks of the lead. Others have aates at- tached, of which the most remote is 1882 and the most recent April 17, 1895. me ned with the word “and,” are surrounded by a rudely der were there on October 8, 1893. Raicevich explored its re- Mateo came’” Octobér 8 . Other names which can be dis- tinguished from the multitude of pencil v Slack, C. W. Sh & Clark and J. S. Mendell. ited the tower e the he bodies. s of the church congregation tomed to resort to the belfry to | the church proceedings. There 1 and cut capers while ped below. ~ This an- n of the building and he | ceep the urchins is the reason ihe wi Th tower to be an important exhibit | the murder cases. When first visited | the police the knobs had been broken | f'and the shait which turns the latch re- | moved. The door was locked, but it bore | s where some one (and no one doubts | it was the murderer of both girls) | had tried to pry it open with an iron bar. | obs and shaft were aiterward found | i hin the tower. | the murderer | Janitor 8. that door the knobs were in their prope: place and had they been absent he v undoubtedly have noti cil stances. It would be interesting to what persons have keys to that door. { The murderer also had a key to the si door of the church. That circumstance b been thought by some worthy of but e notice becau: the sworn testi- e door was a e opened by any ordinary key. Thelock is, however, of good lity and is what is known as a five- ward lock. No ordinary key can open it and not only that but there 1s no skeletor key in existence which can shoot back its bolts. The murderer, if he had a key wiich would open that door, had one which was specially fitted to the lock. “!Conversation,” ‘“‘temptation” — these are, possibly, the last two words written by Rev. J. George Gibson within the study of Emmanuel Church. They are inscribed upon the base of a tablet, as though jotted down as memor- andum of a subject for future discourse. Thomas Piper read a few chapters of De Mille’s “Cord and Creese,” killed Mabel Young, between services, in the tower of a Boston church and was hanged. John Wilkes Booth delighted in tragedies. Dr. Webster reveled in collections of criminal trials. Both were assassins. One was shot, the other was hanged. Libraries often in- dicate the trend of their owners’ minds. Interest attaches to even the smallest things connected with those who are asso- ciated in the public's thoughts with the tragedies in_Emanuel Church. The pas- tor’s library displays a broad taste in litera- ture. Upon the same shelf with the ser- mons of Spurgeon is ‘“Ideals,” b{ Sarah Grand, described as ‘‘the story of an un- conventional young woman, possessed of many ideas, exposed freely and at length, referring to the marriage relation, social immorality and the equality of men and On another shelf is ‘“The Com- women.”’ m yanions of Our Lord,” flanked by “Is Life Vorth Living?”” ““Ships That Pass in the Night,” “Wfien a Man’s Single”—all pa- per-covered novels. - Durrant read textbooks, crammed science for his examinations and is said by his family to have read little or none of the lighter literature of the day. & E George King, also a student, like his friend the accused, devotes himself to his textbooks and his music. The sexton, Sademan, may have literary tastes, but of them nothing is known. Apropos of the sexton, a tale is told that has set many tongues to wagging. It is stated that the reason for his pres- ence at the ferry on the afternoon of April 12, when he states that he met Durrant, was to seek his boy, who had run away. T'he boy was found, and had during his bours of freedom made sundry purchases. His father sought in his company to re- turn the goods and regain the money, but without success. To one of those from whom he purchased L};e lad stated, “I don’t want towork any nger in that church,” with an emphasis gpon “‘that” which, with later knowledge, pas an echo of plaintiveness. The dealer wrd the tale, the police have istened, and one detective is seeking the reason of the emphasis. The sexton is cleaning the church. The lowers and Easter decorations, except one Jouquet of paper flowers, arc heaped a nass of decaying vegetation behingd the difice. In that heap of debris is the bunch of " lowers borne by Minnie Williams from Alameda with intent to adorn the altar of her faith. % They withered where she died. Durrant’s list_of visitors has fallen off considerably within the past few days, which is attributed to his irritable temper and surly manner. Mayor Sutro had occasion to visit the yr on yesterday during the recess of udge Conlan'!} court. Durrant was pointed out to him and he had a brief con- versation with him. The Mayor among other things remarked that he was sorry for the horrible fate of the two innocent young girls. *‘Yes,” said Durrant, as he ooked the Mayor steadily in the eye, “it is very, very sad, isn’t it? "I feel so sorry for their relatives.” AGAIN IN COURT. A Motion for a Discharge and Bail for Durrant Was Denied. Although no really new developments have been brought to light in the past few daysregarding the Durrant case the interest in the preliminary examination of the pris- oner for the murder of Minnie Williams in the Emmanuel Baptist Church has not abated. Yesterday morning the corridors of the new City Hall were crowded with persons eager to gain admittance to Police Judge Conlan’s courtroom and listen to the proceedings. There were six police officers on duty and they kept the curious people at bayand only allowed such per- sons as had a right to enter the courtroom pass through. They afterward relaxea their stricturesand allowed a limited num- ber of spectators in to ccomfortably fill the courtroom. Durrant when he was taken into the courtroom by Police Captain Douglass looked a_worn-out man. is countenance had lost all the color which was in it when he was first arrested and the expression was pinched and drawn. Another notice- able feature about the prisoner was that he did not look around the courtroom so boldly az he did on preyious occasions. He sat in his chair during the examina- tion, apparently taking little interest in what was said or done, with the exception of the time during which Dr. Barrett was testifying. In all that the autopsy doctor said he seemed to be keenly interested. In the opening proceedings, which began rather late, Attorney Dickinson said that he wanted to deny the report that there was any disecord between the counsel for the defense. He wanted to appear on the records as sole counsel for the prisoner. Eugene Deuprey, the associate counsel, said nothing, and then the first witness was called. The witness was Dr. J. S. Barrett, who made the autopsy on the body of Minnie Williams, and also on that of Blanche Lamont. He was asked regarding the autopsy, and wounds, and the cause of death. ‘‘The girl,” he said, *died from asphyx- iation and hemorrh: The asphyxiation was caused by forcing rags down the throat. The wrists were cut. two cuts on the forehead over the nose and three wounds of the chest. Two arter- ies were severed. The radial on the thumb and the ulna on the other side. There are also branches of other arteries.” “In what condition did you find the ra- dial and ulna arteries?”’ “They were severed.” “Were these wounds inflicted before or after death ?” “Some were post and others ante mor- tem. The wounds were necessarily fatal. | Those of the wrists were, and I am of the opinion that the chest wounds would have | been fatal if inflicted before death. The were congested.” d you find air in the lungs?” “I did.” “What did that show?"’ “It might have been due to the fact that some air was inhaled through the creases between the rags in the throat.” Under cross-examination the witness testified that he had been educated at the Cooper Medical College, and had since been connected with the City and County Hospital as house doctor. He became connected with the Morgue on the 6t f st. He had made ies—10 at thie Morgue and al. s present when the autopsy ms’ body was made. ness was then excused to get his autopsy notes, and Dr. C. T. Hills was called He testified that he lived at 20314 Bart- lett street, and that on the evening of April 12, between 8 and 9 o’clock, he was on the corner of Twenty-third and Bartlett streets. “What did you see on Bartlett and Twenty-third streets that night?’ was a in bout 8:15 o’clock I saw a young man tanding on the corner. He had a long vercoat and a soft or low stiff hat on.” “Did he meet anybody ?” “In a few minutes he met a short woman near the lamppost by the corner of Bartlett and Twenty-third streets.” u know the woman?” here did they go?” ey went into the church through the door in the fence. It was about 8:20 o’clock at the time.” “From which way did the lady come?” “From the direction of Twenty-second street.” At what point did they meet?” “Near the lamppost, a short distance from the church and 150 feet from where I was. I walked down behind them. The were on the same side of the street wit the church.” _“How long after they entered the church did you remain in the vicinity ?” “A few minutes.” “Did you see them come out?'’ “No; T did not.” ‘“How tall was the woman as compared with the 027 . “'She was very short—about 5 feet 3 or 4 inches, *“What kind of hat did she wear?” “A small, flat hat.” his point the hat and cape worn by shown to the witness, but he could not identify them. The coat and hat which were worn by Durrant on that night were also shown the Wwitness, and he said they resembled those y the man he had seen. Attorney Dickinson conducted the cross- examination. .asked the witness if he had a wife and the witness replied that he had, but ;;mt she did not live at his residence. Gus anson, a chimney-swe i o Y eper, he said kept ““Where is your wife?” “She is out working on Mission street, near Second.” “How long there?” ‘“‘About two months.” “Where was your wife on the night of has your wife been working April 122" “Atmy house. She arrived there about 8:30 o'clock and remained there until about 1 " #How do you fix the time she arrived?” *“As I weni in the door my wife remarked that the clock had just struck half-past 8.” “When you left that house that evening whgrre dh\d you go?” f{*“To the corner. T only had to length of the building.” valkhe ““What did you go out for?” ““I was expecting my wife to come and I went outside to watch for her.’”” *“While you were on the corner did you see these parties?” “Yes; the man was standing on the corner leaning on a post.” “How long was he standing there?” “Some little time.” “Did you see him arrive there?” “Yes; I saw him come.” “You could see distinctly, could you?” “Yes, sir.” “Was it dark ?”’ ::gi(xixdloi dark. 'll‘helamps werelighted.” id these people meet as if by appoin ment?” uskedpDickinson, o i d “Yes, they walked toward each other and met.” “And then did they immediately go to the church ?’ “Yes, they went right to the church.” This answer is in conflict with the testi- There were | by Deuprey | Janitor Tom Smith of | Williams on the fatal night were | mony of other witnesses, who said the man and woman stood talking for some time and the man seemed to be urging the woman to go with him. Hills said he watched the woman as she came up the street because he thought it was his wife, for whom he was waiting. “‘How long did you remain there after they had gone into the church yard?” “A few moments.” “Your object in going down there was to see if it was your wife?” “Yes, that was it.” “Did you make any effort to see where the couple were?” “Yes, I opened the gate and looked in and it was all dark. This was when came back after having passed down below the church. I did not venture infto the yard as it was very dark and I thought I ad better not go in. I shut the gate and went home as quick as I could and there I found my wife, who said she had come by the way of Mission street.” “Why did you hurry home?” «“Well, I thought I would have to ex- plain matters, as I was of. the opinion it ! was my wife who had entered the church and that she had got out by another door.” “Where did you go?”’ “To my home. When T arrived there I | found my wife was already there. I asked her where she came from and she said she had justgot there.” 3 “Did you see your wife before that night?’ “No, but I suppose I had.” “Could she get in the house without you seeing her?”’ he could.” o whom did you first state you had seen these parties?”’ “To my wife or Dr. Hartzell.” “Did you speak to any officer about this?” “T don’t know the officers by name.” “How came you to make this state- ment?”’ “Because I saw two people go into the churchyard and didn’t come out, and I though that was strange.”” “You didn’t stay there long to watch?” “No, I did not then. I went back the | next morning to see if anybody could have | gone throu(g:n the yard and reached home i Eelore Idid.” *Why did you do that?” “Because of the night before. I said to my wife: ‘I don’t want to think it was you, and I will go there in the morning and see.’ "’ P. S. Chappell, a detective in the employ of the Southern Pacific Company, was then called, and testified that he saw Durrant | come off the Oakland boat at the foot of Market street at 3 o’clock Friday, April 12. Dr. Barrett was then recalled. He had | his notebook, and was asked if the notes | of the Williams autopsy were the same as | the original notes. e said there was no material difference. Attorney Deuprey wanted the original { notes. Dr. Barrett said they were first | taken on blood-stained pager astheautopsy | was in progress. After the work was dono | the notes were copied into the book. The blood-stained notes might still be at the | Morgue, as the witness had taken no pains | to destroy them. that the book contained the original notes copied. and after some further words Deu- | Il\‘rfiy dropped the line of examination. | The attorney then took up the autopsy. | “Did you see the rags in the girl's throat?"” “I did not,” replied Barrett, *'because | the deputy coroner had removed them at the church.” Then Deuprey wanted to know how the doctor knew there had been rags inthe | larynx, and if it wasn’t hearsay. The wit- ness said it was not_hearsay and Deuprey asked how then could he know that there | had been rags in the throat. Dr. Barrett | said he had discovered evidence of a for- | eign body in the throat. A recess was then taken until 2 p. M. At the afternoon session of court there was another large crowd of spectators, and | the policemen on duty in the corridor had | alively time in keeping order among the hundreds who were eager to crowd into the courtroom. | Durrant was brought in promptly by | Captain Douglass, and the two took seats | beside Attorneys Dickinson and Deuprey, | who represent the prisoner. The latter | betrayed more_nervousness than during the morning. Dr. Barrett, who made the | autopsy on the body of Minnie Williams, was recalled, and Durrant manifested con- | siderable interest in all that he said. His | eyes shifted between the witness, District | Attorney Barnes and Judge Conlan. | The examination opened with questions about the stomach of the dead girl. Wit- ness said he had not examined the stom- ach himself, and that it bad been given to the chemist. Witness had, however, seen | that there was something in the stomach. “Then I am to understand that you made no examination of the stomach yourself but turned the organ over to the chemist?” Mr. Deuprey asked. “Yes; that is correct.” “That, then, is your idea of your duties as an autopsy physician 2" “I object to that question,”” said District Attorney Barnes, “‘as it is immaterial.” “I think it is material,” said Mr. Deu- prey. “We have arrived at the fact that we ga\‘e here a violent death, and that the original notes have not been preserved. Now the physician who made the autopsy has not taken the precaution to even ex- amine the stomach, which is one of the most important organs.” Judge Conlan, however, sustained the objection, and in doing so said that he did not consider it necessary in the case to establish the duties of the autopsy physi- cian. Attorney Deuprey then proceeded to question the witness regarding his knowl- edge of stomachs in the matter of autopsy proceedings. 2 “Would an examination of a dead per- son’s stomach allow you to determine how long the body had been dead?” «Xo, it would not.” : “Well, could you tell how long previous to death food had been taken into it?" “I could not.” = ? “If you found undigested food in the stomach what would you conclude?” “Why that food had been taken into the stomach shortly before death,” replied the witness. “‘But you couldn’t tell how long the per- son had been dead?” “No, sir.” “If the food was undigested could you tell what time it had been taken in previ- ous to death?” 3 “It would depend upon the condition of the stomach.” X “Could you approximate the time the person had been dead?”’ “No; not accurately.” - “Well, if you found that undigested food, what would you conclude the time before death to be when it was taken?”’ “Oh, in a few hours. I can’t tell ex- actly how many.” id you examine the brain?"” “Yes.” 5 “Who was present?” “The janitor.” s “What did vou do with it?” «] dissected it looking for congestion.” “Did you make any note of it?” e S di({ not. It was a negative examina- tion. The brain was in a normal state, and I made no note of it.” “What did you do with the brain?” “As far as f’know it was put back in the body by the janitor.” T “Then after your examination of the organs you allowed the janitor to replace them ?” *Yes. “Was anything done by you to embalm the boay ?’ “No, sir.” “After the examination of the heart, brain, lungs and stomach what did you do?” » “I examined the liver and found it ina normal condition. “Was that returned to the body and in- terred with it?” “rf resume so.”’ % “What did you examine next?” «The spleen and kidneys and found them normal.” 5 The witness was then examined at length upon other examinations which he haf mlSe during the autopsy, and he answered all questions readily. Mr. Deuprey wanted know why the witness had not called. s in to see the result of certain portion® of the autopsy. “Because I am not a prosecutor. did Prosecuting Attorney Wakeman said | my duty as an autopsy surgeon,” was the reply. II)‘hc attorney then bezan on the wounds which were found on Miss Williams' body. “Would you call them incised or lacer- ated wounds?”’ “Lacerated, but not remarkably so.” “Were they done by a sharp or dull weapon ?”” “I'should say by a dull weapon. The cuts on the wrists extended through the tendons and muscles to the bones.” The witness was then shown the broken- bladed knife which was found near Miss Williams’ body, and asked whether the wounds could have been inflicted with it. “Yes, they mifiht have been,” The witness then described the lacera- tion of the wrist wounds, and he also expressed the opinion that they were ante- mortem. “Why were the wounds ante-mortem, in your o])inion ” “Well, the edges were everted and the wounds and the surrounding skin were covered with coagulated blood.” “Because of the coagulated blood they were ante-mortem ?”’ “That is one of the reasons.” “Does not coagulation take place after death?” 5 “Yes, but it takes a long time; and the blood is not in wound.” “To what extent could there be coagula- tion after death?”’ “Simply the course of the blood as it tlowed out of the wound.” “Have you in your report any statement as to the coagulation in the wounds?” | “I stated that the tissues and theskin surrounding the wound were covered with coagulated blood.” = ““How was the circulation in this case?” “Tt was not normal owing to the asphyxi- ation.” &= *‘Then you think the asphyxiation took $Edo.’” ““Was the asphyxiation complete or par- tial?” “It, was partial, and I said so in my re- ort.” E The witness then read from his regort, which showed that death was caused by lacerated wounds and asphyxiation. “That shows asphyxiation was partial,” he said. “Did asphy “] can’t sa) “Did the lacerated wounds alone cause death 2" b “‘I can’t say that either.” Mr. Deuprey introduced as an exhibit the report of the autopsy which he had made on the body of Minnie Williams. Continuing Mr. Deuprey asked witness whether the wounds showed whether at the time the hands were inert. “I can’t say,” replied the witness. “Was there anything to show whether there had been a struggle or not?” I couldn’t say that either.”” “What is the difference in the condition | of blood ante mortem or post mortem ?” ‘““There is none.” “No différence as to coagulation then?” *Well, it is known that post-mortem wounds will not coagulate as quickly as in | ante-mortem cases. I have made experi- ments since and found this to be so.” “Did you ever make any such examina- | tion\s previously 2" “No." iation alone cause death?” *What was the condition of the blood in the breast wounds?” “There was no blood.” “How about the face wound ?"” “It was extensive, as was also the flow from the wrist wounds.” “Would you say that the wounds were ! inflicted after asphyxiation?”’ “I think they were.” “Why do you think s0?” “Because of the color of the coagula, and | also on account of the very little amount of blood in the tissues.” “Then you think that life was extinct when they were inflicted 2"’ “I didn’t say that.” “Then, doctor, from your examination you cannot say how long Minnie Williams had been dead when you began your exam- ination?” “I only know that rigor mortis had set in when she was brought to the Morgue. There is no way of determining to a cer- tainty how long the body had been dead.” ‘“That is all,”” said Mr. Deuprey. At this point District. Attorney Barnes announced that the People rested. Attorney Dickinson then arose and moved that the prisoner be discharged, as there was no evidence which would con- nect him with the death or disappearance of Minnie Wilhams. “The motion is denied at this time,” said Judge Conlan. *Well, I have another motion,” said Mr. Dickinson, ‘“‘and that is that there being no direct proof against the prisoner to | raise a presumption of guilt he be ad- mitted to bail.” “That is also denied,” said the Judge, and then the court added: “‘As the testi- mony is rather loosely thrown together I will not finally decide either of these mat- ters now, but will consider them under submission until Thursday morning, when I will give a final decision.” An adjournment of the case was then taken until to-morrow at 10 A. M. EXPRESS SYMPATHY. The Mission Alliance Feels for the Congrega- tion of Emmanuel Church, The monthlymeeting of the Mission Evan- gelical Alliance, representing the pastors of churchesin the southern part of the city,was held yesterday afternoon in the rooms of the Twentieth-street branch of the Y. M. C. A. The president, Rev. Dr. Pond, not being present, Rev. E. B. Stewart of the Second United Presbyterian Church pre- sided. The secretary, Rev. James Wood- ,worth, called attention to the ®fact that the last conference of Sunday-school work- ers was held in August of last year, al- though the committee of arrangements for the next one was appointed seven months ago. The secretary was instructed to cor- respond with the chairman of the commit- tee and endeavor to secure such action as will result in a resumption of the confer- ences as originally designed. Among other business transacted was the adoption, by a unanimous vote, of the following: The Mission Evangelical Alliance extends to the pastor and people of Emmanue. Baptist Church its hearty sympathy in the sore trial through which they are passing, praying that the Lord will overrule the deep m‘;ctxm which has come upon them, so that ‘““their sorrow shall be turned into joy,” that they be made to Tealize that ‘“all things work together for good to them that love God,” 2nd o that he may present the church to himself “s glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any,such :)llfln!l'fll:m that it may be holy and without em! % APPEALS DECIDED. Several Opinions Handed Down by the Supreme Court. In the case of the Central Lumber and Mill Company against John Center et al. defendants, Nathan Cohen nl}:pellant, the Supreme Court has reversed the judgment of the lower court. The judgment of the Superior Court in the case of Thomas J. Biggins, adminis- trator of the estate of Thomas Biggins, against Gottfield Raisch and John Mfiflon, as against Mallon, was affirmed by the Su- preme Court. In the Lake County case of M. J. Helm vs. Frank McClure and Luella McClure, the Supreme Court yesterday affirmed the ‘jiudgment of the lower court directing the efendants to abate a public nuisance by removing a house and fence which ob- structed a public highway. The Supreme Court yesterday affirmed the judgment of the lower court in the case’of Byron W. Haines vs. Henry C. Stillwell.” The amount involved "was $6203 65, for money loaned, money had and received and a balance on a contract to buy stock in the Stoney Creek Improve- ment Company. In the case of the E. E. Thomas Fruit Company against George H. Start ana W. 8. Monson, the Bng‘reme Court hasaffirmed the judgment of the Superior Court in the favor of defendant holding that where the plaintiffs agreed to dry and cure prunes in a first-class manner, and, owing to negli- gence on plaintiffs’ part said prunes were injured, the contention of plaintiff that the fruit was of inferior quality was not ground for a reversal, the pre; ondnche of evi- dence being in favor of the decision of the ITower court, THOUGHT TO BE ALNE The Murder Theory Concern- ing C. S. Smith Is Not he Accepted. WILL PAY ANY SHORTAGE. The Missing Man’s Father Says His Son Has Been Foully Dealt With. The mysterious disappearance of Cashier Smith, McGlauflin & Co.’s confidential man, is still the topic of conversation on the street. The murder theory has been practically abandoned by all except the family of the missing man, they stoutly affirming that he has been foully dealt with. The general consensus of opinion among those who pretend to know something about McGlauflin & Co.’s connection with the late Senator Fair is that Smith has dropped out of sight at the instigation of parties who are more or less interested in the dead millionaire’s speculations, it being thought that the bookkeeper knew more than it would be safe to have him tell. It is also believed that as soon as the Fair estate is legally adjusted Smith will bob up safe and sound. This is mere rumor, however, and has no foundation in fact, excent that McGlauflin & Co. are understood to have acted as brokers for Fair when the latter made his big wheat parchase. ‘The brokers in question will not say that they acted as agents of Fair, yet on the other hand, when the direct question is ut to them, if they had not bought certain ots of wheat for him, they answered that all business with their patrons was strictly confidential. All of these rumors may be nothing but the idle talk of ‘‘the street,” yet they are none the less significant when taken in connection with the great struggle that is now going on for the possession of the Fair estate. Not a single fact developed yesterday that would throw the least of light on Smith’s mysterious disappearance. At his former office business was progressing in its usual way, and except for the frequent interruptions by persons seeking to secure the position held by the missing man, to- gether with callers innumerable to learn if there was ‘“anything new,” there was nothing to indicate that such a prominent individual as the cashier was missing. In spite of the fact that McGlauflih & Co. )\)ositive]y affirmed on Monday that Smith’s cash and bank book balanced to a cent, these gentlemen are not nearly so positive concerning the generally accepted theory that Smith is a defaulter. “We are having the books experted,”’ said Mr. Bresse yesteraay, ‘“and it will be several days before we can announce posi- tively concerning Smith’s accounts. Noth- ing has developed to-day to change the opinion expressed yesterday, to the effect that the missing man had not defrauded us. Of course it would be possible for him to make false entries, and our business is of such large dimensions that a question of $10,000 or $20,000 would not cut much of a figure. That is, it is not probable that we would discover such a theft except on the closest investigation. “Itis possibfe that he might have ‘kited’ his accounts, which, of course, will make the work of experting the books that much more difficult. However, I do not believe that we will find anything wrong, and as far as Smith’s disappearance is concerned Istill think that he wandered off in a fit of dementia and will eventually turn up all right. “Now, will you please correct one thing for me, and that is concerning our credit with the banks. An afternoon paper quotes me as saying that this thing is hurt- ing us like the devil and that the banks will not take our orders. Thatisallrot, for our credit has not been questioned, nor have our orders been refused. Matters are running along just the same as though Smith was here, though we are worried a great deal by frequent interruptions.” At the home of Mr. Smith the affair has quieted down somewhat, though his wife and family still clinfi to the opinion that he has been murdered. The missing man’s father and brother arrived from Oroville yesterday and were seen at 728 Fell street last night. They hold to the murder the- ory, though they say thatif he has not been foully dealt with they are confident that his disappearance is the result of tem- porary insanity and not through fear of the consequences resulting from wrongdoing. They scout the idea that young Smith is still’ in the City in hiding, though they would be very glad to know that such was the case. “I was naturally shocked on hearing of my son’s disappearance,”’ said the elder Mr. Smith last night, “though I do not for one moment believe that he is a defaulter. I think that he has been murdered and the body carefully concealed. If he speculated I did not know it, and I am inclined to think that the janitor has drawn on his imagination concerning the big amounts of money he is said to have invested, I will say this, however, that if my boy has lost money that did not belong "to him I will make good every cent of it, if it takes all T have. I know absolutely nothinfi of his whereabouts. I only wishI did. Char- ley was a good boy, and I will not believe ill of him until the evidence is brought be- fore my eyes.’” Mrs. Smith, when seen yesterday, was much calmer and apparently reconciled to the peculiar circumstances surrounding her husband’s disa%peamnoe. though she has not wavered in her belief that he has been murdered. She thinks that the fact of her husband finishing a letter to his father and then beginning another to his brother, ending abruptly in the middle of a word is a strong proof that he was forei- bly interfered with. The letter shows that he started to write the word ‘“could,” but only got as far as ‘‘cou.” hen asked if she believed that her hus- band was still in the City, Mrs.;Smith an- swered emphatically that she did not. “Why should he conceal himself?"’ she said, ‘‘He has done no wrong, and I do not believe all these stories about his sgety ulating heavily. Iam sure thatif he had done such a thing I would know some- thing of it.”’ ] There is an unauthenticated rumor afloat that Smith is still in the City and that his family have been notified of his whereabouts. In this connection a gen- tleman whose word is not to be questioned tells a story that would show the possibil- ity of the truth of this report. On Monday morning he was passing 738 Fell street, and cha ~ing to look across the street, observed a 1 in standing between the church and the fence, partially con- cealed by the steps. He watched the face for a few seconds, and then walked half way across the street, when the man dropped down behind the steps. Not caring to take any chances, he walked toward Webster street, when the face and body appeared again,the man watching him intently until he passed out of sight.” The man who was concealed be- hind the steps, agparently watching the house of Smld), ore a striking resem- blance to the missing cashier, and it is thought that he was endeavoring to com- municate with his family. This story was told his wife last night, but she positively denied tbat Smith was there or that she had received any com- munication from him. INSURANCE RATES. Policies Are Freely Written for Three Years at the Price of One Year. The local situation among insurance men is one of complete demoralization, so far as business methods and rates are concerned; Every policy writren is at a reduction o not less than 50 per cent. On dwellings and furniture, etc., in awellings policies will be willingly written for three years at the old one-year rate, and the same rate is made on selected fireproof brick buildings of modern construction. Every attempt to form a local board af- fecting this city only has been a failure, and appearances indicate a prolonged war of rates. L. Beck was appointed general manager of the Fire Association of Philadelphia yesterday. His appointment was made to 1ill the vacancy caused by the death of John D. Bradiord. NEW WEAPONS OF WAR The Krag-Jorgensen Rifle to Be Distributed to Uncle Sam’s Soildiers. InstructionsIssued to Soldiers as to How to Handle the Weapon. The members of the State military com- panies have been looking forward to the time when they will lay aside the old Springfield musket and receive in its stead the new Krag-Jorgensen magazine rifle with which the United States soldiers are being armed. The citizen soldiers of this State have made remarkable scores at the targets with the Springtield, and they are desirous of trying their marksmanship with a weapon using smokeless powder and sending a 30-caliber steel jacket bullet a distance of two miles. They will be oblized to wait for many months, and possibly a year or two, before the Government will issue the new rifle to the State military companies. A number of army officers be- lieve that it may be more than two years before this death-dealer will be issued out- side of the regular armyes: The first organization to receive the new army rifle on the Pacific Coast is the First Infantry Regiment stationed at Angel Is- land. The soldiers of this regiment will receive the Krag-Jorgensen rifle to-day, and the crack shots will indulge in target practice with their new arms as soon as the supply of ammunition will warrant. n appearance, construction and opera- tion it is similar to the Lee magazine rifle now used by the naval reserves. The rapidity with which the weapon can be tired causes the barrel to heat to a great degree, in fact to such an extent that those making the first experiments in rapid fir- ing burned their hanas. In order to in- form the soldiers to whom the new rifle is being distributed the Secretary of War has issued the following instructions regarding the weapon, when heated by rapid firing After fifteen rounds fired rapidly (ten or | more a minute) the piece should be handled only by the stock, handguard, or metal parts in rear of the chamber, as the barrel becomes uncomfortably hot about this time, though the rear sights and bands will not be found so until from thirty to thirty-five rounds have been fired. In slow firing (at the rate of three or less a minute) the barrel of the piece should not be handled after from seventeen to twenty rounds. After forty rounds fired at this rate, handle the arm only by the wooden parts and those metal parts in rear of the chamber. If the leaf of the rear sight is raised during this firing (as it prob- ably would be), the sight can be adjusted, if done quickly, even after a hundred rounds, without fear of burning the hand. Two hundred rounds, probably the meximum amount to be carried by any soldier, or even as many as he can possibly carry, can’ be fired rapidly without injury to the arm, other than the charring of the wooden parts in contact with the barrel. 1f it be necessary or desirable to cool the barrel more rapidly than it would when ex- posed merely to the air, remove the bolt, de- press the muzzle until pearly vertical and pour in water very slowly at first, until steam is no longer formed, when it can be poured rapidly. In service the canteen or cup could be used for this purpose. Owing to the large amount of ‘water necessary to cool a heated rifle—from four to six guarts being required—artificial cooling would not ordinarily be practicable in the field. There is little to be gained, even if employed, as aiter 200 rounds one can handle the piece by the stock without burning the hand. The soldier wiil soon learn to handle the piece carefully after an firing, no matter how little, and ar(ificial cooling by water should not ordinarily be practiced, as it may prove injurious to the barrel. Note—The barrel of the Springfield rifle, caliber 45, using black powder, becoges too hot to handle (above the lower band) after about thirty (30) rounds fired at the rate of seven a minute. In other words, it appears to take twice as many rounds in the oldritle as in the new, to bring the barrel to anout the same temperature. Until further orders, the follow- ing spare parts only will be issued to com- Efinles to be kept on hand for the repair of the Inited States magazine rifle and carbine: Main springs, magazine springs, sear springs, cut-off springs, stocks. In case of damage to other parts of {he rifle, such parts—ii they can be detached without further injury to the arm—will be sent, properly marked for identi- fication, to the commanding officer, Spring- field Armory, with a statement of the cirenm- stances under which the damage was incurred. 1f found adviseble, the damaged parts will then be ordered replaced. Company com- manders should exercise a careful supervision of all dismounting and assembling of the arm, particularly in cases where any part is in: jured. The authorized dismounting and as- sembling by the soldier, described in the rules for the menagement of the rifle, snould be con- fined to what is necessary only for instruc- tion under proper supervision, or for the necessary cleaning of the arm. Up to the present date the War Depart- ment has _issued 15,750 of the new rifles. By the end of the present year the entire army will be supplied. After the infantr; is armed the Ordnance Department will issue carbines of the same pattern to the artillery and cavalry. The soldiers at the Presidio will not secure their carbines un- til the 1st of September. —————————— During the Franco-Prussian war the Germans fired 30,000,000 rifle cartridges and 363,000 charges of artillery, killing or mortally wounding 77,000 Frenchmen, showing that 400 shots are required to kill or mortally wound one man. NO- PERCENTAGE PHARMACY, 853 MARKET ST, Bet. Fifth and Sixth, SOUTH SIDE. One of our Customers. GET A COPY Of your last prescription and bring it to us andysee the difference in cost from a store that will not pay 50 or 75 per cent percent- age to physicians and one that pays a com- $5.00 $5.00 : $5.00 $3.50 Dr. Hawley’s Treatment for Ecz: a, Sure Cure, Trusses others ask from our price Electric Belts Silk Stockings. OllYlnk f.FlrtdI: Bltte;i;l,, lo' 00 Strychnine R. and 5., per ounce. $l 10 Eyeglasses and Spectacies at haif Opticians’ prices. £=-Above to be had also at the Ferry Cut-rate Drugstore, No, 8 Market St., at same price. PALESTINE CORN Is hard to beat. Can be planted till une. Yields about 2,000 Ibs, corn and tons excellent fodder peracre on dry and. Can be harvested with combined harvester. Send $1 per acre for seed desired. Address: ERT0 RIVER < URSERY C0., WALNUT CROVE, CALIF. NEW TO-DAY. TAN SHOES TAN SHOES TAN SHOES As the market now stands we are the only house that has an immense stock of TAN SHOES, Therefore we are prepared to supply the whole Pacific Coa? with TAN SHOES At Retail and Wholesale, So when you want to buy Tan Shoes send or come direct to headquar= ters. We will Retail them at Whole~ sale Prices. We have no agents. We seli our goods direct to the people. There- fore, by buying from us you can save the jobbers’, drummers’ and agents® profits, which is at least 25 PER CENT. WE WILL SELL THIS WEEK 800 PAIRS g LADIES' TAN K1D BUTTON, latest style square toes and diamond-shaped tips, HEEL AND SPRING HEEL. Price this week $1.75 per Pair. OUR OWN MAKE LADIE N KID BUT- TON, latest style pointed and square toes, ®2.50 per Pair. We will warrant them to outwear any $6 shoe made. LADIES FINE TAN KID BUTTON, brown cloth top or tan kid tops, latest style pointed razor toes, diamond-shaped tips, hand-turn soles, $3.50 per Pair. CHILDREN'S AND MISSEN' TAN SHOES. SPRING HEELS. SQUARE TOES. Sizes 5 10 7. ._ 900 Sizes 8 to 1 .81.00 Sizes 1134 to 2. $1.25 TADIES' TAN OXFORD TIzS, 75¢, $1, $1.25, $1.50, $2 and $2.50 Pair. LADIES” SOUTHERN TIES, 81.50, $2 and $2.50 per Pair. MENS’ TAN SHOES, Al styles, $2, $2.50, $3 and $4 per Pair. Extra fine, $5; Finest quality, hand made, $6. We will make it a point to retail shoes at just whatthe other dealers have to pay for them. If youdoubt it just write to some other wholesale house and they will give you the exact price by the dozen that we retail them for by the pair. The above Bargains can be had at all Our Branch Stores. 520 J st., Sacramento, Cal. 1053 Broadway, Oakland, Cal. 17 and 19 Santa Clara st., San Jose, Cal. When you Can’t Get Fitted in Tan- Colored Shoes Elsewhere, Always Go to “Nolan’s "’ and Get Fitted There. L& Mail Orders filled by return ex=- press. NOLAN BROS SHOE COMPANY, PHELAN BUILDING, 812-814 Market St. TELEPHONE 5527. WM. RADAM’S MICROBE-KILLER. NATURE'S BLOOD-PURIFIER. CURES ‘~~tuwavis=cums CURES Asthma, Bronchitis, Cancer, Consump- tion, Fevers, Malaria, | Rheuma- tism, Female Complaints and Private Diseases. < HA The Power of the Remedy is NOW FULLY DEMONSTRATED In the marvelous cure of persons spparently beyond all human aid. A&~ We Invite thorough Inspection. Send for circular giving full history and explanation Radam’s Microbe Killer Company, Office 1330 Market st., opp. Odd Fellows’ Bullding. CABINETS, PARIS PANELS, 8250 85,00 Per Dozen. Per Dozen. — ‘ < PHOTOGRAPHER, Ti5 MARKET ST. | 31 THIRD ST. UR PORTRAIT WORK AND PHOTOGRAPHS in Natural Colors are well-known for their excellence of finish, likeness and artistic effect. DOCTORS, ATTENTION! Geary St., North Side, Inside of Hyde Street. G00D 8-ROOM RESIDENCE, $2000. MARKE ES'I‘ER. THOMAS MAGEE & SONS. 4 Montgomery Street. PeRRVABYAL PiLLs orte CADIES Ask sArE, alwars h Dia- o ot o Yl s o e e el wioh Sins Hvbon. - Take er.