The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-11-22
That He Arose and Started Toward
Her, and that She Then DeIiber-
ateIy Shot Him in the Breast.
THREE WITNESSES EXAMINED
TESTIMONY OF A DRAUGHTSMAN
AND TWO PHOTOGRAPHERs.
No New Light Thrown on the Mysteri-
Gus Tragedy-The Defendant
Seemingly Indifferent.

WASHINGTON, Nov 21-The trial of
Mrs. Lola Ida Henry Bonine the charge
of killing James Seymour Ayres, jr., was
fairly launched to-day. The preliminary
presentation of the case on behalf of the
government was made by Assistant Dis
trict Attorney Hugh T. Taggart, and after
he had concluded a number of witnesses
were heard. Mr.. Taggart's statement con-
sisted for the most part Of a review Of the
circumstances connected with the tragedy.
Mr.. Taggart stated the theory OF the prose-
cution to be that Ayres was murdered by
Mrs. Bonine and that she gained admission
to his room In the Kenmore Hotel through
a window. reaching that by means of
fire escape. He attempted to show that
she was piqued by his nonattention to her.
Mr.. Taggart contended that the killing
of young Ayres had been felonious and ma
licious, and therefore was to be charac-
terized murder, as charged in the in
dictment. There was a tie between the
prisoner and the dead man in the fact that
Ayres was a student of dentistry and she
had studied medicine. AS a consequence
she became a frequent visitor to his room
in the hotel where they both lived not only
in the daytime, but night we'll, and,
he added, "the door was always open when
she was there" He told Of the Quarrels
between them, saying that Ayres ceased to
speak to her and that she complained of his
ingratitude. I'VE expect to SHOW" he said
that while she made advances TO him
Ayres did not avail himself of the oppor-
tunity thus offered beyond dancing with
her again" He had danced with her on the
night before the tragedy. but had shown
that he was aVerse to a renewal OF the
former familiar intercourse AS an in
stance of his attitude toward Mrs. Bonine
Mr.. Taggart said that Ayres had refused
TO accept a carnation from her on the Mon
day before the killing. 1t was, therefore.
evident said the attorney, that while he
was Indifferent there was disposition on
her part to mollify him. 1--WE will show"
continued Mr.. Taggart. that every act,
step and proceeding on the part of the
prisoner was the act of guilty person"
Mr.. Taggart referred to Mrs. Bonine's
confession as being principally intended TO
ex0nerate herself. He thought the facts
indicated that the shooting did not take
place as Mrs. Bonine had stated; that
Ayres had not gone to her room at all, as
she claimed. Outlining the governments
position Mr. Taggart said IL would be con-
tended that Ayres had retired when the
person who killed him had entered the
room, and that she came in through the
window; that he arose and started toward
her; that she shot him, the first wound
being the fatal one in the breast. Natural
ly has mouth had filled with blood and as
mouth. Then he had grasped the pistol
thus accounting for the blood upon it,
Mr.. Taggart spoke for an hour and fifteen
minutes, and when he concluded Mr.. Doug
las announced the defense would reserve its
presentation of the case Mrs. Bonine sat
quietly throughout the address and mani
tested no feeling. Several ladies left the
room while Mr.. Taggart commented upon
Mrs. BOnines visit TO Ayres's room but
their places were Immediately taken by
others.
Thomas Francis, the first witness in the
case, then called He is a draughts-
man who had prepared a diagram of the
fourth floor of the Kenmore Hotel includ-
ing Ayres's room. He identified the draw
ing and gave details concerning the loca-
tiOn and dimensions of the room.
The next witness Harry A Wise a
photographer, who had made photographs
of Ayres's room on tho day after the
tragedy occurred. The pictures taken by
him were presented and identified by the
witness. Mr.. Douglass objected to their
acceptance as evidence. on the ground that
they did not represent the exact condition
of the room when Ayres body was discov-
cred. He thought their presentation should
be delayed until testimony should be taken
showing whether the conditions were the
same when the body was found, and when
the picture was made. The photographs
were accepted by the court for the pur-
pose only of showing the permanent phys
teal conditions of the room when they were
taken.
julius Haak, another photographer. who
had made photographs of the Kenmore
Hotel ana OF AyreS room, also Identified
the pictures made by him and they were
admitted in evidence. The first witness
who testified about the events directly con-
neCted with the Ceath of Ayres was Daniel
! Woodhouse. the colored waiter in the Ken
| more Hotel. who discovered the body of
the young man. He said that at $50 o'clock
on the morning OF May Is. he was asked by
Miss Minas. who occupied room next to
| Ayres's to go TO the latters room. she saw
| ing that on the night before she had heard
strange noises In the room. He first dis
q h. Nv nv lOnlr f,c ~
keyhole and afterwards IL through the
| transom. He also told of giving the alarm
and OF the subsequent investigation into
the tragedy. He said that Ayres's body
| Law upon the floor and was doubled up Be
! fore Woodhouse had concluded the court
| adjourned for the day.