Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-05-22
Mrs. Bonine's Experience in a Cell
Behind Bars.
HER INTEREST IN SURROUNDINGS
Permission to Interview Her De-
MED by Warden Harris.
EN- PLOY Z d

! Mrs Lola Ida Henri Bonfne's first night
! in the District Jail was a restfui one, and
| this morning when she arose she seemed
| bright and cheerful. 1t was the first relief
| she had experienced from the questioning
| of detectives, reporters and others since
the morning of the tragedy in which James
| Seymour Ayres lost his life and the differ
| ence thoroughly appreciated by the
woman, Notwithstanding she was behind
prison bars. She has had ample time to
think over the confession she made, first to
Detective Horne and afterward to other Of
ficials. She followed the advice given her
by an attorney and her husband at the
house of detention Monday night and has
refrained from making any statements
which might have any possible bearing on
the case. Her confession in detail, as
printed exclusively in yesterdays Star, has
been read by the prisoner, but thus far she
has refrained from saying anything further
about the case.
When Mrs. BONNIE arrived al the District
Jail yesterday she requested Warden Harris
to admit no callers to her cell, excepting.
of course, her husband, counsel others
whom she might desire to see She was
assured by the warden that her wishes
would be respected. and shortly after she
reached her cell the warden found it nee
esSary to deny applications made by news
paper representatives for permission to see
her Requests came from a number Of pa
pers, one of them being for a woman to cali
upon her. No exceptions We're made to
the rule, adopted by the warden long ago.
to deny permission for interviews with
prisoners confined in the jail If contrary to
the desire of the prisoners.
The wishes of prisoners in this respect
are always respected" said Warden Harris
to a Star reporter. when they express a
wish that nobody be permitted to see them
visitors are not admitted to their cells ex-
cept by order of the court, and such eX-
ceptions are very rare
Her Interest In Surroundings.
When Mrs. BONNIE reached the prison
yesterday her interest in the interior of
the building made 1t appear that it was
her first visit to such place. Just inside
the door she saw guard in uniform, a
colored trusty and three reporters She
recognized the reporters and spoke to them
as she passed through. Reaching the ro-
tunda she looked about only to see a num-
Der or prisoners at the gratings on either
side. From the rotunda to the kitchen
she walked with Lieut.. Moore and Detec-
ttVeS Flather and Baur where huge niles
OF bread were on the counter and the
cooks We're apparently resting after their
days work. Her size was commented
upon, and the fact that she weighed but
nlnety-tWO pounds caused no surprise
After ascending the long iron stairway to
the female ward and meeting with the
matron, Mrs. BONNIE heayed sigh of re-
IieI anu sellitu uO"n 10 get a little rest.
She complained that she had been gazed
at SO much since her arrest that 1t would
be welcome change to reach a place away
from the curious crowds. Mrs. Marshall,
the matron made her comfortable In the
matron's room until late in the evening
The prisoner had dinner served early in
the afternoon, which she seemed to enjoy
she was afterWard given a paper to read
Papers are not excluded, under the rules
Of the prison, and Mrs Bonnie will be per
mltted to read what her friends send her.
Her husband, Mr.. Joel c. BONNIE, called
at the prison about $50 o'clock and re
manned in conversation with her untu
nearly dark. The talk in which they en-
gagged was of confidential nature and the
question Of employing counsel was dis
eussed at some length.
Her Boys Visit Jail
If the husband and wife reached a con-
guards on duty at the Jail were not told
the result. Mrs. BONNIE retired to her iail
cot early, and when she arose this morn
ing, as already stated, she seemed to be
much refreshed. Early this morning the
two sons of the Bonines, fifteen and thir-
teen years old. respectively, We're at thte
jail with a bundle of clothing and some
fruit for their mother. They entered the
front office and deposited their bundles,
making no request for permission to see
their mother, nor did the guard on duty
question them on this subject. 1t is be-
lieved the boys were anxious to see her,
but because of their youth and being unac.
quainted with the prison rules. they
thought they would not be permitted to 20
to her cell.
Warden Harris gave Instructions that
Mrs. BONNIE should be seen by the Jail
physician upon his arrival today In order
that he might give directions concerning
her diet. This is a rule Of the prison to
which the warden and physician always
give careful attention, in order to main
tain good health record. In cases of per-
sons who spend most of their time in
prison the rule is virtually a dead letter
but in instances such as the present one,
where 1t is apparent that the prisoner
cannot stand the heavy food a lighter diet
is usually ordered. The prison fare is clean
and wholesome, but persons not in the
habit of eating heavy food are unable to
partake of it. For this reason the officials
change the diet in many cases. and give
eggs on toast instead OF heavy
meats, milk instead Of coffee, and
provide rice and other food stuffs consid-
cred In prisons delicacies Fruit sent by
friends will be given Mrs. Bonnie but
more solid food from the outside will not
be permitted her.
The occupant of cell No. will be given
ample opportunity for exercise in the cor
ridor In addition to being permitted to
take this exercise it is likely her husband
and counsel will make frequent calls upon
which occasion she will not be held in her
cell. In this way Mrs. BONNIE will prob
ably spend a great part of her life in Jail
OUTSIDE the confines of the small cell. She
Is now the only person in the Jail not tried
who is held on a charge of murder. Her
cell faces south and is on the lower floor
Of the female apartment nearest the en-
trance from the corridor. Three sides of
the cell are constructed of iron plate, while
heavy bars are across the front, affordng
ample ventilation. She is where the ma
iron, In passing through the corridor, can
converse with her and hear any requests
she may have to make. There are sixteen
cells in this floor. eight in each tier. Mrs
BONNIE cannot see any other prisoner from
her cell.
Physicians See the Prisoner.
Deputy Coroner Glazebrook, accompanied
by the jail physician, called on Mrs
BONNIE about today. The former
called to examine the scratches on the lat
ter's hand, and the jail physician desired
| to make the regular Inquiries that are
made Of all prisoners Mrs. BONNIE seemed
to the doctors to be somewhat careworn
but in excellent spirits, considering her
position.
The jail physician explained to the wo-
man that he wanted to make an examina-
ton and some inquiries In order to deter
mi ha or 70 Of har md