The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-07-21
DISTRICT ATTORNEY KILLED.
y. ". a. riley or NEW ORLEANS
SUOT ~ MS OFFICE.


NEW ORLEANS, July 20.-J. Ward Gurley,
District Attorney of New Orleans, was
murdered in his private Office to-day by
Lewis W. Lyons, u cotton clerk with
"A grievance. Lyons after killing Gurley
attempted suicide shooting himself in
the head. The wound was supposed at
first to be mortal, but the murderer. it is
now thought, may recover.
Gurley was shot twice through the breast,
rear the heart, and twice in the arm, dying
almost instantly. There was no one present
in the office at the time of the murder.
Mr.. G,wley's partner in the next Office heard
a violent quarrel and then four shots. Cur
ley staggered from the office. Lyons pushing
him out. The District Attorney fell just out
eide of the door. Lyons locked himself in
the office and then emptied the two re-
manning cartridges in his revolver at his
head He refilled his revolver in his ex-
element He fired wildly, but the bullet
reached the brain, rendering him uncon-
>cious but not causing death.
Lyons, who has led life of dissipation
for several years, was arrested recently
charged with larceny OF diamond pin
He was tried and acquitted of the theft
but became bitter over it, and employed
the firm Of Gurley & Mellen, of which Gurley
was member, TO prosecute the detec-
tives who arrested him. The case was
handled by Mr.. Melen.
The case was lost and Lyons became
much wrought up. believing it a reflection
on his integrity. He became violently
abusive of his attorneys and told several
persons that he intended to Kill Gurley and
- Il
of his threat but did not believe he was in
danger.
Lew Lyons, as he was known, was a man
Of excellent family His father was one
of the wealthiest merchants of New Orleans.
He himself had married well, had several
children, and occupied responsible place
with the Magnnis Warehouse Company.
He became infatuated with dissolute
woman, deserted his family, took to drink,
lost his place and finally became an opium
tiend. While under the influence of opium
no was regarded as dangerous. He was
ON debauch on Saturday night and Sun
day and to-day's murder was the outcome
MIR Glrley was regarded as one of the
ablest prosecuting attorneys in this region,
man Of the highest standing and to be
counted on in all movements for the sup
preston of crime or vice. He was a native
OF New Orleans. 81 years old, his father
having been Assistant United States Dis
graduate OF Washington and Lee University
of Virginia, and Tulane University in Ne"
Orleans, IT. ISIS he was appointed United
States Register il Bankruptcy and from 1880
10 1883 he was Assistant City Attorney of
New Orleans
Mr.. G,lrley always took an active part in
politics and was one o. the leaders in the
anti-lotterv movement OF 1892, which de-
stroyed the Louisiana State Lottery Com
pany. In 1893 he as appointed United
States District Attorney for Louisa q
lie made brilliant record in that office.
his greatest feat being the prosecution
Of the bank wreckers who had brought
about the Ne" Orleans financial panic
in 1897
All Of these men. including the presidents
81 tho wrecked banks, he convicted and sent
10 prison.
While United States District Attorney
10 was nominated for city District At
torney. This nomination was rendered
o. Mr.. Gurley by both the Demo-
cratic convention and that of the indie
pandents He accepted the Democratic
nomination. and was elected by a larger
ma jortv than any man on the ticket. He
proved a most efficient District Attorney,
and his vigorous policy unquestionably
improved the morals OF the city, although
he was unable TO crush all the abuses that
existed here
Mr. Gurey was president Of the Audu
bon Park Commission. and to him more
Than to any other man is due the establish
ment- of the present park system of New
0rlpaps