The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1897-09-04
CHARLES r. MORRIS,
Justice Of the Peace.
CAREER OF A SUICIDE.
Story of W. Russell Wards Life Since
Coming to America.

San Francisco, Sept. 4-Russell Ward
who committed suicide by throwing
himself from the window of the car in
which he was travelling from this city
to Chicago, first gained nOtOriety by his
very marked attentions to the wife of
the young Los Angeles millionaire, Col.
John Bradbury, at Santa Monica, sea-
side resort, some Is miles from Los An
geles. AS Ward was a married man
and the father of family, his Irritation
with Mrs. Bradbury caused rupture
between himself and Col. Bradbury, and
it was rumored that the latter had even
challenged his rival to fight duel AT
the same time vague stories of a rup-
ture between Col. Bradbury and his
wife were bruited about, but were
strenuously denied by Bradbury.
Matters came to climax on June
so last. when Mrs. Bradbury eloped
with Ward to this city. Upon their ar
rival they startled the community by
openly admitting their folly and defying
the public by the most shameless con-
duct. Their career, however was cut
short by their arrest at the instance of
the society for the prevention of vice.
Mrs. Bradbury was released upon her
own recognizance by Police Judge Lowe
but in default of bail, Ward spent one
night in Jail. When the case came up
for hearing, that against Mrs. Bradbury
was dismissed, and wi, n her moth r, she
at once left for Chicago, where she was
met by her husband, who was en- route
to Europe with his mother. A reconcil-
iation was effected and the couple went
Mexico where they are now.
Ward, meanwhile returned TO his
Santa Monica home, but returned here
for trial last week. When the matter
came up for hearing on August 26,
Wards attorney raised the point that
the information against him was in
sufficient to warrant his being held to
answer, and on Saturday, August 81,
Superior Judge Cook sustained this con-
tention and ordered that Ward be dis
missed. AS he was financially embar-
assed and in fact had been dependant
upon the money raised from such jew
elry as Mrs. Bradbury had taken with
her at the time of their elOpement, his
wife, who was visiting his relatives in
En- gland, sent him the necessary funds
with which to conduct his defense and
defray his expenses to England in the
event of his acquittal.
After leaving the court, a free man,
Ward went to the Grand hotel, where
he remained in secluSion until Monday.
He purchased a ticket for Buffalo, NY,
and left on the evening eaStbound train,
announcing that he was going to Eng
this country. At that time, there was
nothing in his actions or demeanor that
would tend to show that he was mental
ly unsound.
Ward, who was a stalwart English
man, about 40 years of age, located in
Santa Monica, about six years ago. Be
ing a crack polo player and possessed
of some means, he at once became very
popular among the English set at that
place. He soon ingratiated himself in
to the good graces of the leading fami-
lies resident at the seaside resort and
of the Bandinis, one of the oldest Span
ish families in Southern California. He
woOed and won Miss Bandini and their
marriage followed.