The times., 1901-05-23

A petition for n writ cf haboas corpus
viii be fled today to secure the release
from jail of Mrs J.. J. Bonine. held by a
Coroner's jury for the death of James
Seymour Ayers. one week ago yesterday,
at the Kenmore Hotel Under the ordeal
of Imprisonment Mrs. Bouine appears
calm and collected. No sign Of weaken
ing was apparent last night on the part
of the prisoner and she declined repeat
edly to talk for publication, under advice
of her attorneys, Douglass & Douglass,
who We're retained yesterday by Mr.. Bo-
nine in behalf OF his wife.
Mystery still surrounds important fea-
lures OF the Kenmore tragedy. and the
most important fact established yesterday
only adds to the puzzle Walter Gun a
negro waiter, who was formerly employed
at the Kenmore, whose home is at 10
Liberty Street northwest, and to whom
Mrs. Bonine claims to have given her
revolver last winter, has verified the
story of the prisoner. To Detective Horne
last night Gun stated that Mrs. Bonine
gave him q bulldog revolver while he was
employed at the kenmore last fall.
1t was on the theory that the pistol
found in the room of Ayers after the
murder belonged to Mrs. Bonine that the
police based hopes of strong circumstan-
tiaI evidence against her. That the own
ership of this revolver has not been estap-
lished tends TO throw a pail over WORK
of -the detectives and leaves in doubt
material fact toward an early solution OF
the mystery.
In and about the Kenmore last night
there was an air of doleful Indifference.
The piano. silent for a week because of
the tragedy. was again heard, and guests
made an effort to throw OF in some de-
gree the depression everywhere apparent.
Several persons danced: there were dis
tinct signs of relief from the intense
strain of the past week, yet nothing was
discussed but the murder OF Ayers and
the arrest Of the woman now held for his
death.
Mr. Bonine was away from the hotel
most of the evening. consulting with his
lawyers. He returned about 10 o'clock,
and Immediately retired. All day yester-
day and last night kilograms reached him
from various points. one and all bearing
offers of assistance. The interest in the
tragedy is widespread. and few believe
the whole has yet been told.
There are many who say positively that
Ayers could not have met death in the
manner described by Mrs. Bonine. The
polite appear well satisfied with their in
vestigation of the case, and are resting
after their labors.
Meanwhile severe criticism has been
forthcoming as to the conduct of the case.
1t is not the belief of District Attorney
Gould. himself. that the mystery has been
cleared up. 1t is apparent that iealousies
have played an important part in the in
yestigation; that chickering's among the
~ nd
led TO decentralization and consequent
weakness in the investigation.
The hesitancy which has characterized
the Police Department in the conduct Of
the case is remarkable. when the enormi-
ty of the crime is considered Certainly
no criticism would have attached if dras-
tic measures had been adopted. Instead
of action. however, a policy OF vacillation
has marked the course of the department.
Within day after the commission of the
crime, the finger OF suspicion pointed very
strongly toward 8irs. Bonine. The de-
tectives secured evidence which warrant
ed her being placed in custody. one de-
tective went TO Major Sylvester within
two days after the tragedy. and laid be
fore hiIn the evidence he had secured.
This detective begged that Mrs. Bonine
be placed under arrest. Major Sylves-
ter. after two hours OF deliberatiOn and
consultation with Captaiu-inspectOr
BaaTdman, decided not to act.
There is no doubt that poilUcs has play
cd an important part in the investigation.
Tie Police Department has shown a dis
position TO place all responsibility for
holding Mrs. BOnlne upon the Coroner, in
order that. If a mistake was made, the
blame might not rest with them.
The Coroner has come in for no small
share of criticism. because Of mis- conduct
OF the inquest. II IS pointed out that the
hearing was suddenly brought 10 close
Tuesday afternoon, without the eXamina-
tiOn Of many witnesses summoned to tes-
tify. Because OF the statement made by
Mrs Bonine, Coroner hewitt deemed
continuation Of the inquest unnecessary.
He gave the case 10 the jury on the eVi-
denCe OF a police official. without the
presence Of Mrs. EOnine at the INQUEST at
the time. and without an official copy OF
the alleged confession made by the unfOr-
tUnate woman being handed TO him.
Another cause Of dissatisfaction seems
10 be that OF friction between the Coroner
and his deputy, Dr. GlazebroOk. Il is said
that this circumstance led TO ili-feeling
between those in authority at the inquest
and decentralization followed. There are
many who say that Deputy Coroner
Glazebrook wanted TO manage the hear
ing into the death Of Ayers as he saw fit
a spirited way. A controversy arose
Coroner hewitt expressed his opinion to
Deputy Coroner Glazebrook in no uncer-
tain way, while Dr. Glazebrook fretted
under the belief that he was being
sighted by his superior in Office
That DR. Edward NJ. Schaeffer, the ex-
pert in microscopical examination. should
be employed in connection with the in
Vestigation If the murder appears to
have been especially distastefui TO the
Deputy Coroner. That official is said to
have believed himself perfectly competent
to digest the expert features Of the case:
10 solve all problems of boodsta.ns and
the like. Notwithstanding the fact that II
Is customary in important cases to en-
gage the services of GNnGTfg in ETlpb l.
ters- Thus arose jealousy, il is said
which resulted together with the fact
that Mrs. Honiue was not produced at the
final hour Of the inquest IN serious fric-
ti9n between the office Of the Coroner and
the Police Department
Steps TO secure possession Of the bull
dog revolver given Walter Gun. the negro
waiter. by Mrs. BOniuc last fail were
taken last night by Detective Horne Gun
was seen by the detective at his home, j.
Liberty Street. about T. o'clock. The ne
gro readily admitted having received the
revolver from Mrs. Bouiue. He stated
that he did not have the pistol IN his pos
session at the time Of the interview with
the detective but would secure It and
turn II over to the police. According 10
the story Of Gun, the pistol was in the
possession % his aunt. Mrs. Mary Dono-
hue. Of li5T Nineteenth Street northwest
Gun told tho detective his story concern
ing the weapon as follows:
Il took the gun home. and put il in my
bureau drawer, after being given it by
Mrs Bonine. ! thought nothing particu-
weapon. She has always been afraid Of
guns. She got after me about the thing
until ! was tired, and gave u to her. She
put ii away, and / have not seen I. since. 0"
Gun went on to say that he had e1c-
pCctCd the detective to come after the
weapon. 7 thought you would get il
when YOU wanted it," said Gun, so ] did
rot trouble myself at All about it." Gun
. love at &