Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-12-22
TAKEN INTO CUSTODY
CDR. LEON" HELD IN CoNNEC-
TON WITH BYWATERS CASE.
Hearing Postponed, It is Explained,
Until the Woman is Able
to Appear.

charge Of performing q criminal opera
ton on Viola Bywaters Of Culpeper, Va,
December l. in this city, was filed against
DIR. Edward Leon Thompson in the Police
Court today. Because of the fact that Mrs
Bywaters could not appear here today Pros
ecuting Attorney Given requested the court
to continue the case indefinitely. Judge
Mullowny consented and fixed the bond at
$500 The doctor secured bondsman
this afternoon.
The arrest of OR Leon" occurred early
this morning in front Of his home, Az street
and Missouri avenue. AS the physician
stepped from carriage about 2:3O O'Clock,
Detectives Evans and Berman asked him
to accompany them to police Headquarters
When the party reached there the prisoner
was asked about the Bywaters case He
d. MED that he performed the alleged GRIM
inal operation.
Defendant Enters Denial.
II don't know any one by the name of
Strother or Bywaters, and 1 don't re-
member her by the description you give;
but she may have called" Dr. Leon stated.
the police say. The defendant was detained
in the first precinct station until he was
taken to the Police Court. To Prosecuting
Attorney Given he stated that he knew
nothing at all about the case.
The arrest was the result of visit by
Detective +. M. Cornwell Of this city to
Culpepef, va, yesterday. Inc OTuedl VI
appearing at the coroner's inquest the day
before had such an effect on Mrs. Bywaters
that the physicians in attendance declined
to permit the Washington detective to in
ierview her. He obtained his evidence from
the sworn statement made by the woman
before the coroner's jury and from her two
brothers. to whom she told the story of her
visits to Washington.
The evidence tended to show that three
operations were performed in this city, one
on October l, a second the day before
Thanksgiving. and the third and only sue
ceSsful one December l. According to Mrs
Bywaters the operations were performed
by DR.. Leon.
Mrs. Bywaters to Appear. 49,.
1t is stated that Mrs. Bywaters will APP
pear to prosecute the defendant when she
RECEIVERS from her illness 1t is pointed out
that such action on her part would help her
brothers, who were held by the coroner's
jury to answer for taking the life of By
waters.
The name of DR.. Edward Leon appears
on the dockets of the Police Court several
times. but this is the first time the name
"Dr. Edward Leon Thompson" has been en-
tered. Case 142467 shows that Edward Leon
was charged with performing criminal
operation on Mrs. Samuel P. Williams. The
charge was filed July %, 1905 and the hear
ing was continued Indefinitely, the defend
ant being released under $1,000 bond. He Is
still under that bond. In the second case,
filed October II, 1905, Edward Leon was
charged with performing a criminal opera
ton on Sadie Voigt and the case was also
continued indefinitely. 1t is stated by Pros
ecuting Attorney Given that an indictment
was later returned against the defendant by
the grand jury, and for that reason the
charge has not been pressed IN the Police
Court.
Condition of Patient.
Detective Cornwell says he was informed
that it is the desire of Mrs. Bywaters rela
tives to prosecute the person who per-
formed the operation upon her.
DR.. Chelf stated that Mrs. Bywaters con-
dition was not so satisfactory yesterday as
it before she gave her testimony before
the coroner's jury. The strain and excite
ment was too severe for her. the physician
stated and until she has fully recovered
from the shock, he will not allow her to
make another statement. He said he
thought she would be in condition to see
the detective and tell her story to him next
week.
The brothers Of Mrs. Bywaters, James
and French Strother, were seen by the de-
tective, and they assured MIN that they are
anxious to have DR.. Leon prosecuted: Iney
objected to their sister being given too
much notoriety, however. and they also
thought it would be a hardship for her to
have to go into court and tell her story on
the witness stand 1t was added by the
brothers that they will discuss the question
with their sister when her condition i'm
proves, and will then advise Inspector
Boardman of the result Should favorable
response be received it is probable that De-
tective Cornwell will return to Cupeper
and secure a statement from the sick
woman.
While at police headquarters Dr. Leon
told Sergt. Carter that he had no recollec-
ton of having treated woman from Gull
pepper. There was nothing on is books to
show that any person named Strother or
ByWaterS had been treated by him.
No f,Nt thnt hran N
performed before success was attained, he
stated, was sufficient to convince him that
he had had nothing to do with the affair in
question.