The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1901-05-21
SHE SLEW AYRES.
Mrs. Lulu Bonine Says She Killed.
Pension Clerk Ayres
Who Died From Pistol Wounds
in a Washington Hotel.
NOT PREMEDITATED.
Was Lured TO His Room by the
Young Man
Who Then Threatened Her With
Revolver.
NOT PREMEDITATED.

tending the killing of James Seymour
Ayres, a census office clerk, in the Ken
more hotel early Wednesday morning,
and which because of the peculiar cir
cumstances surrounding it, has aroused
Washington more than any tragedy in
several years, has been solved by a volun-
tary confession from Mrs. Lulu /. Bonine,
a married woman and a guest at the
house, that she had fired the three shots
which ended Ayres' life.
Mrs. Bonine was entirely self-possessed
when she made her confession and did
not exhibit any evidence of either present
or past unusual excitement She is appar-
entIV about 80 wears of age and saws she
was born in Macon, No She then moved
to Hamilton in the same state, and after
wards to Richmond, where her husband
se1uent7v She Went fo II R1f1nsxSiclS ga and
then to Florida. where her husband was
that It was Al her husband's soIicitat ation
volver, and that he had made the SuggeS-
ton that she should learn this art for
self-defense against possible assaults. She
said she had twice in her life fired a re-
voIver to frighten burglars and that she
had brought a bulldog revolver with her
to Washington, but had given it away to
a negro man.
to the chief of police and a number of
other officials, Mrs. Bonine was placed
detention, where she will be held pending
the result or the coroner s lnGuesI, Wnle9 men
at which Mrs. Bonine was to have ap-
peared at a witness.
The tragedy which resulted in Ayres
death became known about half past
o'clock last Wednesday morning. when
his dead body was found in his room at
the Kenmore, a small family hotel OF
moderate prices, situated not far from the
capitol. The dead mans full name was
James Seymour Ayres- He was between
20 and p years of age and lived in Port
ton as a clerk in the census office His
father is a man of some standing in Re
An examination of Ayres' body showed
that he had been shot three times. one
hall ont cr7 ha feff loo . lnf %
arm, and the third penetrating the heart
and causing death. Suicide was the first
witnesses that on the night of the murder
they had seen woman descending a fire
room at the hotel and disappear into the
parlor of the house. ended this theory and
terious and sensational affair that baf-
fed the police. The police were hamper
did t the killing from the fact that it was
eight hours after the crime was COM
The whole detective force was put to
work the case and gradually facts
nine as the guest of the hotel with whom
Ayres had been on very friendly terms
Saturday the coroner began his inquest
summoning guests and employees of the
tial clue was found to connect any per-
son specifically with the tragedy. The in
bearing on the tragedy except that Mrs
Bonine was much in Ayres room. when
that the district attorney and others We're
wanted at police headquarters TO hear a
statement made by Mrs Bonine-
Detective Ed Horne, who assigned
to observe Mrs. Bonine's doings and to
as possible. had subjected her to several
rigid examinations but without result
vate capacity and then asked his advice
as to what was the best course to pursue
vised her to tell all she knew. and In the
presence of District Attorney Gould and
the detective she again told the story Of
the deed in her own words Mr. Gould
would make no promises as to immunity
ments were made for a complete and full
recital of the deed at the office of Major
Before going to police headquarters; how
ever Mrs BOnine asked that she be al
who was at the police station at the time
She was permitted to do So She as
serted with much feeling that she went
to Ayres' room simply at the latter's re-
quest. and without any evil Intentions
where a stenograph1c report was taken OF
what she had to say. Her statement was
she appeared perfectly calm and collected.
It's substance as related by Major Syl-
vester, chief of police. is as follows:
Mrs Bonine Acknowledged that she was
present when the shooting occurred She
said that some time prior to March
there had been disagreement between
herself and Ayres and that their friendly
relations had been broken until the MORN
friendly with him again. She said she
had no watch clock to tell the time
about 2 O. clock, Ayres knocked on her
door. She opened it and he told her he
and wanted to know if she had anything
that would prevent it. She said that she
thought she had some laxative quinine
and went to her boys room, adjoining
hers, to get it. In the meantime he was
standing in the hall
He was dressed in his trousers coat
and undershirt. When she came back she
said she could not find the quinine. Ayers
shoulder
asked her If she would not come to his
differences. To this she assented, saying
she would go soon as she could dress
herself. She had been in bed in her night
robe when he aroused her by knocking
at the door and went to the door in her
night robe. Ayres left her then and went
hack to his room. She dressed herself
cOrsets. including a wrapper She then
went to his room. opened the door and
entered. Ayres stood behind the door and
as soon as she entered he slammed it
and bolted the lock He was attired only
in his undershirt and had revolver in
his right hand She was very much agi-
tated and attempted to make a break
toward the window to get out He went
over and threw his left arm around her
Ayres still had the pistol in his right
hand She grabbed it with her right hand
struggle which followed she got hold of
the weapon with both hands She does not
know how many ShotS We're Hred ana does
not remember anything about what took
place until Ayres fell over against her
and his blood spurted over her shoulders.
Mrs. Bonine said 1t was she who cried for
help and moaned-
Miss Minas, who occupied the next room.
she was too frightened to give an alarm.
Mrs. B0nine then went through the win
dow and down the fire escaDe to the sec
ond floor, where there IS a landing she
passed through the parior and upstairs