The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1901-11-20
.LQA IDA BONNIE
Trial of Woman Indicted for
Murder of Youth Begins.
JURY IS EMPANELEO
Alleged Murderess Is Cool
and Very Composed.

Washington, Nov. 1e.-The trial Of Mrs
Lola Ida Bonnie. on Indictment Tor the
murder of the young census clerk, James
saymcur Ayres. Jr., in the Iatter's room
at the Kenmore hotel n this city last
May, began today before Justice Ander-
son in criminal court No. l. The case
was set for 10 o'clock. but 1t was several
minutes afterward before either the judge
or the prisoner appeared in the court
/ room. At the first session. the court room
even though of liraitcd capacity, was by
no means crowded. Mr.. Bonnie and Mrs.
Me1cham, husband and sister of the ac-
cused, were early occupants OF the seats
reserved for Mrs. Bouine's especial friends
as were the five attorneys engaged for
the defense. At I0.10 Mrs. Bonnie an
peared If the court room. accompanied
by the veteran guard. James W. Spring
man. She walked in so quietly that her
entrance was scarcely noted and took e
seat beside her husband. just back OF
her Counsel and II front OF her sister
She smiled as she greeted her sister and
the latter placed her arm gently about
her, as she sank into her seat. After
the preliminary of calling the names of
witnesses and OF jurors were disposed of.
Mrs. Bonine was asked to stand and plead
for TIE Indictment She listened calmly
to the reading Of the document and when
it was concluded. plead not guilty in low
and distinct torres.
After a brief statement OF TIE case by
Judge Anderson, the examination Of iur-
or5 vas begun and when the court at
$3.50 adjourned for the day the panel was
exhausted. There were twenty six mem
bers of the panel and of these fourteen
We're excused, leaving twelve in the box
OF the fourteen jurors who were EXCUSED
three were relieved by the court on ac-
count Of i'll health. seven on challenge by
the defense and four upon challenges by
the district attorney. All OF the gov
ernments challenges were made because
of statements or the part Of the witnesses
that they had conscientious scruples
against capital punishment Most of the
challenges on behalf of the prisoner were
on account Of statements made by the
jurors that they had formed opinions in
the case. IN four or five instances, they
stated that their views could not be
changed by new testimony.
The first contention between opposing
counsel arose In connection with the call
ing Of a juror named Smith. a colored
man. and an undertaken. He stated chat
he had formed an opinion in the case.
but that it was not so firmly fixed that il
could not be modified by new testimony.
Mr.. Douglas, OF Mrs. Bonine's counsel.
challenged FOR cause District Attorney
Gould antagouized the challenge and Mr.
Douglas addressed the court, pleading
for liberal construction of the law be-
cause of the Importance of the case. The
challenge. however, was overruled Mr..
Douglas noted an exception the first of
the trial and then preemptorialy chal-
lenged the juror who was excused. Il is
expected that there will be other chal-
lenges when the court convenes tornor-
row. ldrs. Bonnie was apparently as calm /
as any Of the spectators during the pro- (
ceedings. She spoke frequently with her
husband and sister and only once or twice /
with her attorneys. During part Of the /
day her two boys. respectively - and 4
years Of age. were in the court room I
After adjournment she took dinner with I
her friends IN the prisoners room in the 1
court house. being closely attended all I
the time by her guards. She was then /
to Jail
The trial viii be resumed at 10 a n 4
tomorrow.
Tenderness o raching in The small Of .
the hack is a serious symptom The F.
kidneys are suffering. Take PRICKLY I
ASH RITTERS at once II Is a reIfa HE .
kidney remedy and system regulator and /
viii cure the trouble before It develops /
its dangerous stage.