The age-herald., 1901-11-20
James 5, AyIss Was Shot in His Own Room at
 a Hotel WOMAN CLAIMS SELF DEFENSE Says She Went to Ills Room to Settle Some Differences Which Had
 Arisen Between z V Them. =.

Washington, November 19.-The trial of Mrs. Lolla Ida Bonine, on an indictment for murder of the young census clerk. James Seymour Ayers, Jr., in the latter's room at the Kenmore Hotel in this city last May. began today before Justice An- derson in Criminal Court No. 1.
 The case was set for 10 o'clock, but it was several minutes afterwards before either the judge or prisoner appeared in the courtroom. At the first session the courtroom. even though Of limited capac- ity. was by no means crowded. MT. Bo- nine and Mrs. Meacham. husband and sister of the accused. were early occu- pants of the seats reserved for Mrs. Bo- hines friends, as were the five attorneys engaged for the defense. At ten minutes past ten Mrs. Bonine appeared in the courtroom. accompanied by the veteran guard. James W. Springman.
 She walked in so quietly that her en- trance was scarcely noticed and took a seat beside her husband. just back of her counsel and in front of her sister She smiled as she greeted her sister. and the latter placed her arms gently about her as she sank into her seat After the pre- liminaries of calling the names of witt nesses and of jurors were disposed of, Mrs. Bonine was asked to stand and plead to the indictment. She listened calmly to the reading of the documen. and when it was concluded pleaded mot guilty in low but distinct tones.
 Story of the Tragedy. Mrs. Bonine has never admitted that she murdered AyreA Her story. which she will again voluntarily repeat on the witness stand. js that Ayres. in his own room. to which she had gone at his in-' vitation in order to settle some differ ences that had arisen between them, threatened her with his revolver. and to defend her honor she grappled with him. In the scuffe the weapon was discharged one or more times. She was too excited to remember how many shots were fired. When Ayres fell to the floor she. with his life blood gushing over her, found that the revolver was in her hands.
 Her only thought was flight Hearing some one calling in the hall she realized the futility of escaping by the door. She laid the revolver on the trunk by the window. then raising the curtain. step-
 
 to the second floor. There she entered the parlor window. made her way to her own room and afterwards to the bath room. the door of which faces that of Ayres, where she washed her blood-stain- ed garments. She was absolutely cool and collected Her work was done so carefully and thoroughly that she was enabled to exhibit the garm ents the next day to the police without their suspect fr4xr hAx. next morning she was in the dining room as usual. eating breakfast with her two boys.
 Her Two Loyal Sons.
 During her six months imprisonment. these lads. aged 12 and b years although realizing the enormity of the offense charged against their mother, have been her most loyal adherents. Alternately they have visited her in her i,l1, and 1t is believed that through the comfort of their presence. she has been able to main- tain her spirits. Her husband Joseph c. Bonine. travelling salesman for Chi cago firm. immediately after her arrest engaged attorneys for her and since has exhibited confidence in his wife's inno- cence.
 Young Ayers was the son of James Seymour Ayers, a business man and poli-. tician of Port Austin. Mich. He was A clerk in the census office and employed the hours not engaged in the bureau in studying dentistry.
 One of the efforts of the prosecution will be to show that the relations exist ing between Ayers and Mrs. Bonnie were of the most intimate character.
 Ayers anonunceo intention of quitting the hotel furnished a motive for her aI- legged crime.
 The defense. however. claim their abil- ity to prove that her interest in the young man was entirely impersonal. and was such as any good woman might hold for boy who was away from his home and subject to the manifold temptations of life in government bureau.
 It is expected that the entire week will probably be consumed in obtaining jury. as few people can be found in this city who have not expressed an opin- ion on the case.
 Begin Examination of Jurors.
 After a brief statement of the case by Judge Anderson. the examination of jurors was begun. and when court. at 12:50, adjourned for the day the panel was exhausted. There were twenty-six members of the panel, and of these four teen were excused. leaving twelve in the box.
 It is expected there will be other chal- lenges when the court convenes tomor- row.
 Mrs. Be nine was apparently as calm as any of the spectators during the proceed ings. She spoke frequently with her hus- band and sister and only once or twice with her attorney.
 During a part of the day her two boys. respectively 15 and 12 years of age. were in the courtroom. The trial will be re- sumed at 10 a. m. tomorrow.
 Rathbun Case from JeffersonvIsle.
 Coroner coots said today that if the