The times., 1901-05-16
NOT SUICIDE BUT MURDER
Victim in the Kenmore Tragedy
Shot by an Unknown Woman.

The PeIice Gradually Nearing IL So
luton of the Mystery-TestimOns y
of BOdgers in the Hotel - Police
Following Clues - The Inquest
Gradually facts are coming to light IN
the mysterious tragedy which occurred
yesterday morning at the Kenmore Hotel
II has been established that James Sey-
noour Avres. jr clerk in the Agricul-
41iraI Division of the Census Office,
whose home prior to a year ago was at
Fort Austin. Mich, was murdered IN his
room at the hotel, North Capitol street,
between y and c Streets. shortly after
O'Clock in the morning. 1t is firmly be
lieyed that a woman committed the muir
der.
Avres was shot three times-through the
left lung. which bullet plowed through an
artery an inch above the heart: in the
left hip. the ball taking an upward course
and lodging in the flesh two inches higher
than the point of entrance. and in the lett
forearm The left arm was scorched from
the wrist to the elbow. on both sides OF
the arm. the wound in the breast was not
scorched at all, and that at the hip show
ed very faint trace of burned powder
coroner NEWT Has ~ A1iiAN'A l'''' 4+-N'l "a
ing at II O'Clock for The inquest. which
is to be held at the Sixth precinct sta
ton. Deputy Coroner GlaBebrook per
formed an autopsy last night on the re-
mains Of Ayres. Death was found TO have
resulted from hemorrhage OF the lung.
superinduced by the pistol shot wound.
Six distinct bruises were found on the
body besides the three wounds caused by
the bullets Apparently these bruises
were caused by kicking after Ayres had
been shot.
All day yesterday and last night de-
tectives. newspaper men, and others
thronged the corridors of the Kenmore,
while everybody residing there was ques-
toned and questioned again. Police. the
Coroner. and detectives looked at the
room occupied by Ayres, whose body was
removed to the morgue early in the day.
The message sent about noon yester-
day to James S. Ayres. father of the muir
dered man. who is prominent insurance
agent at Grand Rapids, Mich, ELECTED a
reply last night, to the effect that Mr..
Ayres, sr., will arrive in Washington this
afternoon and take charge Of the body of
his son. Other relatives throughout the
West were notified of the tragedy Mrs.
Ayres. mother of young Ayres, has been
dead several years, but he has three
brothers. scattered in various distant
cities. Mr.. Ayres. ST., was at one time a
candidate for Congress. hailing from his
former home, Fort Austin, Huron Coun-
ty, Mich.
FOUND a BROKEN FAN.
A japanese fan about six inches in length
and badly twisted was found beneath the
body of Ayres when he was discovered
yesterday morning. The finger marks in
blood. apparently those of a woman,
whose description as small and slender,
with dark. flowing hair falling down her
back, has been given the police by Thomas
M. Baker. an employe of the United
States Fish Commission, who occupied a
second-fioor room next door to the Ken
more. who declares he saw such woman
climbing down the fire escape shortly
after three shots had been fired some
where in the hotel, all seem TO make it
certain that Ayres was murdered, and
that woman committed the deed
Other facts are yet to be explained,
such as the condition of the lights OF the
hotel on the fourth floor, where the
room occupied by Ayres was located
These were turned very low, it is claimed,
after midnight, probably by the party who
committed the murder
Another point learned last night and
considered important is that a woman
living in the Northwest section has re-
Gently written anonymous letters, said
to tend toward defaming the character
of Ayres. TO certain persons believed TO
reside in the Kenmore Hotel and other
friends of the murdered man Detectives
Miller Baur and Peck were sent out late
last night to find this woman, IL possible.
-la.-r-n Sc No halfaf that AVTeg may
have committed suicide. Friends seen
last night scout the idea, Tor Ayres mas
always appeared cheerful, was fond OF So
ciety. especially that OF women, ana mao
a good position. which netted him S,VJl
a year He had no one dependent upon
him. but is not credited by friends with
having saved any money Inls apparent
extravaganza was because Of his eX-
penses while studying at the dental de-
partrnent of the Columbian University.
ii is also thought by friends that he spent
considerable money in pleasure. besides
that necessary for routine expenses.
Ayres had been student at the Dental
C'o.iege since October !, last Recently,
from April q to April % he was engaged
v,{tb his class in examinations in first
year branches taught at the institution
That he passed these examinations creu'
it,.biv Is shown by the following notice
received by him from the faculty aho
signed by its secretary:
Il am instructed by the faculty 10 IN
form Won that your examinations on the
first year branches have been satlsiac'
AYREs a GOOD STUDENT.
Among a number Of classmates OF Ayres
seen last night, all stated that the latter
while fond of society, was attentive Il
work. and his studies He attended col
,ege regularly. Robert w Frlshkorn, a
first-vear student OF Columbian, whose
seat there was opposite TO that Of Ayrss
and whose home Is at S2S * street Horti.
west. said last night that the murdered
man was at no time Respondent about his
studies so far as he knew. He saw Ayres
frequently. he said FrishkoTn stated tnal
he saw Ayres last Tuesday afternoon al
the Union Building, where the census III
vision is located.
..Ayres talked readily and cheerfully
about the coming college term, sac
FrishkOrn. 1t was proposed TO him thaI
a summer class be organized among th'
boys at the college. 50 that We migh
have the advantage next year OF the ad
ditfOnaI instruction and study during lht
summer months Apparently Ayres, how
ever did not fall in with the idea, for n
said he thought himself sufficiently ad'
Vanced I'm his studies 10 rest Tor the mex
three months
James A Nelson. also a student at tho
dental college, residing at GIG X Street
northwest, knew Ayres personally, Mel
son was al the Kenmore Hotel last night
trying 10 learn some particulars OF tbs
tragic death Of his friend To reporter
Nelson stated that he had been told bs
Ayres that the latter at various times
had intimate relations with certalT
women living in the Kenmore Hotel.
Turning TO Mr.. FriShkOrn, who was
present at the interview, Nelson said
"Ayres intended taking a room last fal
at the house where Frishkorn lives but
because OF women. or a woman, he re-
maiued at the hotel" Frishkorn assent
ed TO this statement
.Ayres at one time agreed TO occupy
room adjoining mine. but afterward told
hi mil m