The times., 1901-05-20

Yesterday was anything but a day OF
rest for those persons who are in any
way, whether directly or indirectly, as
witnesses. Investigators. or principals, con-
Dected with the Kenmore Hotel mystery
and the murder Of James Seymour Ayers,
Jr. the Census Office clerk who was
found dead in his room Wednesday morn
ing.
Contrary TO the usual custom OF oXcus-
ing half of the detective force for the rest
of the day after the O'Clock roll call on
Sunday morning. every man was kept on
duty and was busily engaged the entire
day in following clues and interrogating
and oss-questioning witnesses.
The terrible strain TO which most of
the witnesses have been subjected is tell
ing on all of them. and while the men are
upset ard distracted many of the women
are on the verge of nervous prostration.
Among the latter it is stated that Mrs.
Bonine's condition is particularly pitiable.
with two young boys to look after, she
has been subjected 10 repeated eXamina-
tions of the most searching nature. De-
spite the presence Of her husband, who
arrived in the city Saturday night. she
was on the verge of collapse all day, and
several times burst into tears
While others may not have given way
to their feelings to that extent, it was
evident that the strain was telling upon
them Those who felt that a stigma had
been cast upon their names by the pro-
miscuous manner in which they had been
used, were anxious that the inquest might
be completed, so that every incident
might be brought to light and their in
nocence made apparent to all
DETECTIVES IN CONSULTATION.
At the meeting Of the detectives at
Police Headquarters in the morning
all of that force was present, and the
situation was carefully gone over and
discussed in all of lis phases The opinion
was freely expressed that it was evident
that Miss Minas was for some purpose
Withholding from the police officials and
from the Coroner's jury valuable infor-
nation Of which. probably, she and the
participant or participants alone had
knowledge. It was believed that Miss
AIinas would be given another opportunity
to unbosom herself of the facts which are
supposed to be in her possession.
1t is intimated that so confident are the
authorities on this point that if she fails
to avail herself of the opportunity. string
ent measures may be adopted While
none of the police think there was any
criminal connection on the part of Miss
AIinas they are convinced that she for
some purpose, is refraining from disclos-
ing all that she knows about the matter
probably for the purpose Of shielding
friend
The deep interest evidenced in the case
by Major Sylvester and Captain Board
man, has put all OF the detectives upon
their mettle, and there is not a theory ad-
vanced or a clue suggested but that some
one of the detectives is at once detailed
to run it down.
After roll call yesterday morning Cap
tain Boardman called Detective Sergeants
ENeedon. Lacy, and Parham into his pri-
vate Office, where a long and earnest con-
ference was held. After Withdrawing
from the conference the detectives went
TO the corner of Sixth and 3 Streets
where they boarded car for Takoma
Park Their trip was evidently prear-
ranged for they were met at the end Of
-the car line by District Attorney Gould,
who accompanied them TO the latters
house on Oak Street. Here they We're
closcted together from II o'clock until
nearly /.
After the visit Mr. Could was not ac-
cessible to visitors. but 1t was understood
that a quantity Of new and important ev
idence was presented for his consideration,
and that the question Of making imme-
date arrests was carefully considered. It
is said that It was deemed unwise to adopt
that course until after several additional
facts had been brought out at the inquest.
Both Mr. Gould and his visitors seemed
much elated over the result Of the confer
euce, and it was intimated that there
might be startling and unexpected disclos-
ures at the inquest this morning
An IMPORTANT WITNESS.
shortly after their return 10 headquar-
ters. Lieutenant Moore entered the detec-
tive office accompanied by a colored man.
After an exchange of words with Captain
Boardnan. the chief Of the detectives tel
ephoned for Detective Sergeants Horne
Miller. and Peck. and when they arrived
shortly afterWard they were taken into
Captain Boardman's private office, and
Detective Sergeant Lacy called in. Lieu
tenant Moore, the man who accompanied
him. and the members Of the detective
corps. were closeted for over an hour in
consultation. and when they emerged a
smile Of satisfaction was discernible upon
the faces of all Of the men.
What became Of the colored man is not
known. and his disappearance is sur
Ighi4ltQ III Ilg SttL IL NfA7 fsaNNA teAAAiIA-
that he had not been locked up. and that
the police had adopted unusual measures
TO prevent him from failing into the
hands Of the reporters. 1t is promised,
however. that he viii be produced at the
INQUEST today. and that his testimony will
prove to be of the greatest Importance
The man was formerly employed at the
Kenmore Hotel. and it was admitted that
the man had given some information that
would prove a surprise when presented
at the inquest this morning.
II is said that a woman witness will be
nut Oh the stand today, who, # she is not
made Of steel, will be forced by the rigid
questions propounded to break down and
acknowledge her connection with the
crime J. c. Bonine, who arrived in the
city the night before, yesterday stated
that he had nothing to say regarding the
case. but told readily Of his movements
for the entire week ana said that he
would have no difficulty in proving a
complete allbi should it be necessary for
him TO do sos
MR.. BoNINE'S ITINERARY.
He left Washington last Monday morn
ing at sol o'clock over the Southern road
and was joined at The Plains by one Of
his agents. D. X. Smith Of Anddleburg
Va Together they went TO Woodstock
and remained over night. Mr. Bonine is
3 manager of agents fer De Witt & Co,
wholesale dealers in proprietary medi-
cines, with headquarters at Chicago.
Mr. Smith is new man, whom Mr.
Bouine was just breaking in, and
together they took a buggy and
drove TO Strasburg Va, where they spent
Tuesday night, occupying the same room
st the hotel All Of the week he spent in
the Valley OF Virginia, and only returned
TO :his city at the previously stated time.