The evening times., 1901-05-18
PRICE ONE CENT
THE AYERS Case INQUEST
Coroner hewitt Probing the Ken
more Hotel Mystery.


the Testimony-SeveraI New Facts
Brought Out by the Evidence.
The Coroner's inquest IN the case OF
James Seymour Ayers. Jr. the Census Of
kenmore Hotel early last Wednesday
mornfn :, began at IL O'Clock today and
when a recess was taken three hours later
several facts that mayplay a most import
ant part in the solution of the mystery
had been brought TO light.
1t was shown that a piece of a dance
card bearing the name CT two men besides
the deceased had been found near Ayers
body. There had been a dance in the l'o-
tel the night before the murder aad it is
thought that this card was in use At that
time. The card evidently belonged to
woman.
Another feature Of the enquiry. as far
as it has proceeded, is contained in a
statement made upon the witness stand
by Mr. warfeId, the proprietor of the
hotel, that two coIored boys had notified
him Of the finding Of a blood stained skirt
in the alley in the rear of the Kenmore
after the tragedy. Mr. warieId testified
that the boys told him the garment had
been torn in shreds and was buried be-
meath large stone The witness declared
that ne told the boys TO bring the pieces
of the shirt to him. but they had not been
seen since by him and he does not know
who they were
1t is understood that the police have
been Investigating this feature of the case
and mat they have located the boys. II
has not as yet developed whether or not
the skirt is in their possession
What else Coroner hewitt and the po-
lice authorities hope to show before the
examination shall have been concluded is
not known to anyone save themselves.
and all Washington is stirred with deep
interest in the murder
The investigation is dragging along
slowly, and verdict may not be expected
before Monday evening. possibly Tuesday
morning. None of the women mentioned
in the case have been called to the stand,
though some Of them viii probably be in-
terrogated this afternoon
CROWDS At THE INQUEST.
Long before II o'clock large crowds Of
men, women. and children began to as
sembIe in front of the Sixth precinct po-
lice station Witnesses and others ideL-
tilted with the case began to arrive by 10
O'Clock and were provided with seats in
the rooms on the first floor Of the build
ing. The corridors were soon crowded
and it was found necessary to place po-
licemen at the various entrances TO deny
admission to ali who were not provided
with cards from Coroner hewitt. or who
did net have business directly bearing
upon the case. Coroner hewitt was early
on the scene and busIIy engaged himself
in completing arrangements for the hear
ing over which ne presided He was as
sisted by Deputy Coroner GIazebrook. The
jurors, Anthony z. Tyssowsky. Jacob
Karr, George ". Harvey, Frank B Metz
croft, Thomas A Rover. and J. William
Lee were present at II O'Clock when they
were called to the 1norgue and over the
remains of the murdered man took the
oath, which was administered by the Cor
oner. as follows:
.,GentIemen-This is the body Of James
Seymour Ayers You soIemIy swear TO
diligently enquire when, where, how. and
in what manner Ayers came to his death,
and a true fnquisitiou make, according to
the evidence, 50 help you God"
AT THE KENMORE
The jury was then taken TO the Ken
more Hotel.
Led by the Coroner, the jurors made
close examination of the room occupied
by Ayers, and of the surroundings
81 wish to call your attention especial
" to the fre-escape," said Coroner New
lit. and he explained TO the jury that one
Of the most important witnesses at the in
quest would testify to having seen some
one descend the fre-escape on the morn
ing Of the tragedy Every possible detail
In connection with the apartment was in
sDected by the members of the jury The
surroundings were noted. the position in
which the body Of Ayers was found was
thoroughly explained by Coroner hewitt,
and he made every effort to have the ju-
rors understand the situation at the time
of the tragedy. Each Of the jurors in turn
examined the dre-escape from the window
Of the room, noted the various blood
stains. both in the room, on the s.l=4uUW
sill. a portion of which was cut out for
safe-keeping. and on the fre-escape-
William schoueberger. Morguekeeper,
told the Jury Of his arrival at the hotel
and of the condition Of the body of Ay-
ers when he removed it to the morgue-
Mr.. schoneberEer. moreover, Illustrated
the position Of the body whenfound He lay
upon The bed in the same pocture in which.
he informed the jury, he found Ayers af-
ter death. Several Of the jurymen were
inoutsitiye. Juror Harvey looked several
times out of the window and asked about
the fre-escape, the adjoining house, and
the possibility Of some mistake on the
part of statements reported to have been
made. especially in connection with the
strange being who is credited with having
climbed down the iron ladder five minutes
after the tragedy. Coroner NeEitt told
the jury that such matters would be
brought cut by testimony during the in
quest. after an examination of the hall
way near the door OF Ayers room, the
Jury returned TO the Sixth Precinct Sta
ton.