Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1901-12-19
MRS. BONNIE IS FREE.
The Jury Found Verdict for the Accused
Woman.

The Jury Found Verdict for the Accused
Woman.
Washington, Dec. 14.-Mrs. Lola Ida
Bonine last night stepped cut Of the
CITY Hall free woman, acquitted of
a charge thac she murdered James Sey-
mour Ayres, DR., young Census Office
clerk, at the Kenmore Hotel last May.
The verdict was announced at 800
last evening. Notwithstanding direct
injunction ftom the judge, the crowd
IN the courtroom cheered until silenced
by thu bailtf. Within and outs de the
Court House persons crUwdsd around
Mrs. Bon,ne and joined in one OF the
most remarkable demonstrations of
sym athy and congratulations in the
hi story of local criminal proceedings.
At $40 the jury signified an agree
ment had been reached, Marshal Robin
son telephoned to Judge Anderson, who
| hurried to the City Hall from his apart
ments at the Portland Flats. Mean.
| time a crowd of lawyers, friends and
others assembled in the dimly lighted
courtroom. Near Mrs. Bonine were her
husband, two sons her sisters, one
| carrying an infant in her arms, and a
brother from the West.
The judge arrived at $50. Address
| ing those 10 couct, he said: "Gentle.
men, 1 understand the jury has agreed
on verdict As look into your faces
| think | may say it would he highly
improper fer you TO give any expression
OF api roval or disapptova. All VINO
disregard this order will be- obliged 10
answer to the court, ="
The jury entered as the court nshed.
Each juror responded as his name
was called by the clerk.
"liaye you reached yerdictl" asked
the latter.
1--WE have" responded Mr. Hun.
phrey, the foreman, and he added MOT
guilty. -
Mrs BONNIE turned and kissed her
husband There was an outburst Of
applause, followed by general re-
reptou to Mrs Bonnie ty those who
crowded around the remarkable little
woman Each member Of the jury uon
graduated her in person.
Accompanied by hes lawyers ant
family, Mrs. BONNIE LETT the Court
! House and crossed the street TO the Law
, Offices OF her attorneys. 4 crowd o.
several hundred persons imreded tht
way, At the curbing someone clappet
= his hands. The crowd followed with {
demonstration. Someone ca led "Thret
| CUtB 3 lOr SUluubl LII
r crowd quickly and enthusiastically re
spond d. Many luitered around tn
3 entrance TO the building, waiting TO
J Mrs. bonine to resprear. Later sn'
! went home in a carriage with he
husband.
) The entire day was devoted to hear
/ ing the final arguments pro and con
Charles H. Doug ass, leading counsel 70
Q the defendant, resumed the argumen
. which he began Thursday. He was oil
his feet addressing the jury for two full
hours yesterday, and during both day
: for nearly five hours. He was eloquen
, at times, weighed all his words care
:, fully and very clearly outlined th
y cause of the accused. At one FONT b
brought tears to the eyes of Juro
August Getz, sta d and sturdy Ger
man contractor past the prime of life
Mrs. Boniue also wept, usirg her hand
kerchief in brushing away the tears
u Once or twice previously during th
trial she had shed tear, but yestei
day she was unable to repress her fes
i ings quite so we'll, and tears triokle
q down her cheeks. She retained he
: composure remarkably with all this
:. although it was evident she was begin
II ming to feel the effects OF her Ion
y mental strain during the three week
~ of the trial.
! Mr.. Ashley NJ. Gould the Unite
g States district attorney, made the fni
u address to the Jury for the government
n He spokeiin his usual forceful style, BIT
g was exceedingly bitter in his arraigI
meut Of Mrs. BONNIE and criticism ,
10 her connection with the tragedy.
r The trial of Mrs Bonina had bee
g 10 progress for almost four weeks. T.,
% traord binary interest was caustd in Il
o tragedy at the time Ayres WAS kille
= because of the mystery surrounding I'll
case until the statement made by Mr.
q Bonine of her Fart in the tragedy, viii
u tho coroner's inquest was in session
y She said she was the only person T.
IS sides the victim IN the room whe
- Ayres was shot. and that he was kille
III in a struggle with her over the posse
y sion of the pistol with which he ",
10 trying to brighten her into compliant
sr with his demands. Mrs. BONNIE ht
l. been in jail since the tragedy. 81
y did not go on the witness stand durir
q the trial.