The Montgomery advertiser., 1901-05-26
STORY YET UNSHAKEN
POLICE UNABLE TO ConTkuv nnT MRS. BoNINE's STATEMENT.
Evidence Collected Insufficient 10, Conviction-Hesitancy of ofh- cials Blamed-Steps to Secure
 Prisoners Release.

Washington, May 25.-1ntereSt in ti1e
 Kenmore Hotel tragedy grows as the mystery deepens. Nobody really be-
 lieves the story of the case thus far presented. Nine days have passed since the murder of Ayers and his remains have been consigned to earth at his boyhood home in Michigan. Mrs. L.. I. Bonine has been arrested and lodged in jail; she has admitted being present when Ayers met death; has said he was shot three times while she fought him in defense of the honor. A coro- ner's jury has held Mrs. Bonine re- sponsible for the death of Ayers, yet there appears no charge against her. No evidence has been discovered to that she was attacked by Ayers prior to the killing. Nothing was brought to light yester- day by the police to clear the atmos- phere of mystery. Confusion reigned in the minds of the authorities and public alike as to the true solution of important points in the tragedy. Dis trict Attorney Gould Is represented as nonplussed at features of the case, the prosecution of which now appears most difficult. Investigation ends only in failure to establish a single promi- nent fact contrary to the confession of
 
 | now that she is in custody. adds much to the demoralization everywhere appa- | rent. Toward the goal of actual evil dence the police have been unable to advance. At every step they are con- fronted by the confession of the wo- | man under arrest, of which there is no substantial denial possible.
 Mrs. Bonine spent yesterday as she did the previous day at the Jail. She arose early. and breakfasted at 8 o'clock. Toward noon her husband called, accompanied by Charles Doug lass of Douglass & Douglass her coun- sel. An hour was spent in conference, after which 1t was said there was noth- ing to give out. Everything tends to show that Mrs. Bonine maintains her conposure, is calm and collected. It is this consummate nerve that is the wonder Of the police. the public, and even her friends. Under circumstances exceedingly trying, she shows no signs of weakening.
 It was learned that yesterday Mrs. Bonine suggested to her husband that her two boys be sent out of the city, and to this MT. Bonine assented. It is understood he has taken steps to send his sons into Virginia for the summer months. probably to Accotink, where other children whose parents re- side at the Kenmore, have already been sent.
 At the Kenmore last night on the streets, and in the hotel Hobbies, dis cussion of the tragedy was unabated. Everybody marveled at the composure of Mrs. Bonine. Stories were told of her nerve frequently exhibited, and of one case in particular, when she mar rowly escaped serious possibly fatal injury. It was less than a year ago. and Mrs. Bonine was riding a bicycle along Pennsylvania Avenue, near Eff teenth Street northwest. The broad street was crowded with vehicles of every description, cars, wagons. au- tomobiles. bicycles. and carts.
 AS Mrs. Bonine turned into Fifteenth Street, glided between two wagons. she found herself caught in a trap. as it were. with car approaching on the right, and a wagon on the left. There was no escape from a collision, and Mrs. Bonine adroitly guided her wheel across the track directly in front of the coming car. The fender of the car struck the bicycle, and Mrs. Bonine managed to fall conveniently into the fender. She was but slightly bruised. and the wheel was damaged but little.
 Steps will soon be taken to secure the release of Mrs. Bofine from jail. E. Scott Douglass. of Douglass & Doug lass, has stated that the firm will ap- ply to the District Supreme Court for a writ of habeas corpus on the ground that their client Is illegally deprived of her liberty; that there Is no spe- cifc charge against her, and that. therefore, her arrest was without war rant of law.
 It is also understood that an effort to give bail for Mrs. Bonine may be made. Douglas & Douglas said last night that they were net prepared to say positively when they would take definite action. but proceedings are ex- pected to be begun today looking to the release of the prisoner.
 Some mystery appears to surround the visit yesterday to the jail of Drs. H. D. Fry and Berry, both at the re- quest of counsel for Mrs. Bonine. Dr. Frye was seen last night. He told a reporter that he could say nothing about the case. My visit to the jail was mainly of professional charact- ter." said Dr. Fry. 'I am not at liberty to say more at this time"
 It was learned elsewhere that the physicians made careful examination of Mrs. Bonine. particularly as to her physical condition. The belief was held in some quarters that counsel for the woman desired to bring before the | courts medical testimony to show that | the health of the prisoner would be | 1H@