Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1901-05-23
VICTIM OF WOMAN
WASHINGTON HOTEL MYSTERY
CLEARED UP BY CONFESSIONS
MRS. BONNIE TELLS STORY
Says She Was Invited Into Ayers,
Room and Finding Herself De.
ceived Shot Him Though He Had
Revolver-Victim From Michigan,
Mrs. Monine From Missouri.

Washington, May 21-The mystery
attending the killing of James S. Ry-
mour Ayres, the census office clerk
IN the Kenmore hotel. early last
Wednesday morning and which, be-
cause Of the peculiar circumstances
surrounding it, aroused feeling more
than any tragedy in several years was
solved yesterday by the voluntary con-
fession from Mrs. Lulu l. Bonnie a
married woman guest at the hotel.
that the three shots which ended
Ayers life had been fired in a strug-
gle between herself and Ayers. Mrs.
BONNIE, whose husband is a drummer
for a wholesale drug house in Chica-
go, explained her presence in Ayers
room at o'clock in the morning by
saying he had come to her room COM
planning of chill, asking for medi-
cine, and had induced her to follow
him to his room to talk over some
| matters of difference between them.
She said she dressed herself in a
wrapper and went to his room. He
preceded her and when she opened
the door and walked in he quickly
closed it. Ayres, she said, had a re-
volver in his hand and in the struggle
for its possession, which ensued i'm
mediately after she entered. it was
discharged three times, the last one
proving fatal.
After her statement, which was
made to the chief of police and a
number of other officials. Mrs Bonnie
was placed under arrest anu will De
held pending the result of the coro-
ner's inquest, which has been in ses-
sion since Saturday and at which Mrs.
BONNIE was to have appeared today as
witness.
The tragedy which resulted in
Ayres' death was discovered Wednes-
day morning. The dead man was
about twentyone old and Lived at Port
Austin, Mich. His father was a man
of some standing in republican state
politics in Michigan. The examina-
ton Of Ayres body showed
that the fatal shot had
penetrated his heart Suicide
was the first theory advanced, but
statements from two witnesses that
on the night Of the murder, they had
seen the woman descending from the
fire escape leading from Ayres' room
and disappear into the parlor of the
house ended this theory. The whole
detective force was put to work on
the case. Gradually, facts developed,
which pointed to Mrs. BONNIE as
guest of the hotel with whom Ayres
had been on very friendly terms and
with whom he had falling out The
cOroner's inquest which began Satur.
day and resumed yesterday had de-
veloped nothing directly bearing on
the tragedy, except that Mrs. Bonnie
was much in Ayres' room.
Mrs. BONNIE yesterday afternoon
told her story to detective in his
private capacity and then asked his
advice as to what was the best course
to pursue, under the circumstances.
He promptly advised her to tell all
she knew and in the presence of
District Attorney Gould and the de-
tective she again told the story of
the deed.
Before going to police headquarters
Mrs. Bonine asked to be allowed to
tell her story to her husband who
was at the police station at that time.
This she was permitted to do. She
asserted with much feeling that she
went to Ayres' room simply at the
latter's request and without any evil
intention. She then went to the police
headquarters where a stenographic
report was taken of what she had to
say. Her statement was entirely
voluntary and during it's recital she
appeared perfectly calm and collected
Mrs. BONNIE is apparently about 80
and says she was born in Mason City,
Missouri.