The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1906-12-21
GET Icons RECORD
Washington Police Inyesti-
eating BywaterS Case.
DOCTOR DENIES THE CHARGE
DR.. L. ID. Walter, However, Admits
Attending the Girl During Her HI
fee Taking No Action-Court Records
Reveal Past Cases Against DIR. Leon


Investigation has been started quietly
by the Washington police of the charges
OF Mrs. Viola Bywaters, whose husband
was killed an hour after the marriage at
Culpeper, Va. last Saturday by her two
brothers. that she had been the subject
Of malpractice In this city. In her testi-
mony at the inquest Mrs. Bywaters
named DR. Leon and Dr. L. d. Walter, 1884
q street northeast.
While Dr. Walter admits that he had
been called in on the case, Dr. Leon
still maintains that he had nothing TO do
with the affair. He was seen yesterday
by a reporter. and reiterated his state
ment made IN The Washington Herald
yesterday that he was at a loss TO un-
derstand how his name became mixed
up in the case.
Notwithstanding DR.. Icons denial, the
police are inclined TO believe that he had
something TO do with the case. DIT. Leon,
whose name is said TO be Edward Leon
Thompson. is well known to the authOri-
ties He lives at f57 Missouri avenue
northwest. He took the name Of Leon
from an uncle, who died and whose prac-
tice he continued.
Capt Boardman. chief Of the detective
force. said yesterday that DR.. Leon was
at liberty under a 5000 bond in connec-
ton with d similar case involving a
servant girl He has been arrested sew
eral times. once he was convicted Of
murder because OF malpractice. No re-
quest for Icons arrest has been made
by the Virginia authorities.
Admitted by DIR. Walter.
Or. Walter said yesterday that he had
been called in to attend Mrs. Bywaters.
at that time Miss Strother, but the wo-
man was sick when he took Up the case
+ He declined 10 say who had requested
/ his services further than that the coil
came over the telephone. The couple was
/ registered at a hotel at the time. In her
I testimony at the inquest Mrs. Bywaters
said she had stayed at the Montrose
Hotel.
According to DIT. Walter, Bywaters and
+ the girl left here December i against his
protest. He did not believe the girl was
I in condition TO leave her room DIT.
Walter says she was very ili when he
was called and that he treated her pro-
/ fessionally.
Neither Bywaters nor Miss Strother
made any effort 20 conceal their identity
from Dr. Walter They told him the
whole story He suggested that they
marry, and they declared that this was
their intention. The two were most de-
voted. DR.. Walter says.
Attached To His Mother.
/ Bywaters was apparently much attached
I 70 his mother and made several trips 10
/ Culpeper to see her while Miss Strother
was confined 10 her bed at the hotel Miss
/ Strother informed the physician that By
waters was the only man she ever loved.
He In turn told the doctor Of his affec-
ton for the girl.
In Dr. Walters opinion, Bywaters was
anxious TO postpone the marriage because
be was short OF funds. The physician
saws he did not receive any money IN re-
turn for his services. Bywaters told DR..
/ Walter that he had been defeated Tor
( the Office Of treasurer Of CuipepeT county,
but that he expected TO be elected the
next time and would soon be on his feet
financially Miss Suother told him, he
a.
/ from her fathers estate.
! Dr. Walter said yesterday that ne
/ knew Dr. Leon. Whether Dr. Leon had
been connected with the case. DR.. Walter
would not say
u was simply called in the case pro
/ fessionally," DR.. Walter said
Detectives Mt Work.
Mai. Sylvester, superintendent Of police.
] s1-a ~ bod str fr.7k *
/ detectives 10 make a thorough investiga-
ton. No complaint has been made by
Mrs. Bywaters or any Of the family. but
on account Of the past record Of DR..
Leon. Mai. sylvester thought it advisable
10 make an investigation on his own ini-
tiative.
No independent action, however, is con-
templated by the district attorneys Of
| fee
I'VE cannot take any steps in this mat
| ter" said Assistant United States Dis
trict Attorney Harvey Given. unless the
| case is brought 10 the attention OF this
Office by the police, some reputable eth
zen or the Culpeper authorities. The
district attorneys Office IS powerless 70
act and institute proceedings against Dr.
| Leon
DIR. Icons Record.
DIR. Edward Leon can look back upon
a career of more than ordinary interest
He recently fled a suit under the mans
Of DR.. Leon Thompson for divorce against
his wife. charging her with treating hin
| cruelty and removing his household
goods from his residence. Mrs. Thomp-
son. the day following, also brought suit
against her husband for divorce, alleging
cruelty and infdelity on his part. anc
stating that he had an annual incom,
from his medical practice approximatins
$4,000. Both suits are pending, and vii
not be reached for some time.
II is not only on the records of Tho
civil courts that the name of Leon and
Thompson. appears. 1t is also entered upoI
the pages OF the criminal docket, in the
office of the United States district AT
torney. The name as it is recorded in Mr.
Bakers Office, however, is not Thompson
but Edward Leon.
Under case No 1885 the entry shows
the United States against Edward Leon,
the charge being a violation of section 50
of the District Code. 1t is alleged In con
nectiOn with this entry, that on Octcoel
II, 1903, one Edward Leon performed :
criminal operation on one Sadie Volk; tina
he was held by the coroner November
following. and that when arraigned OF
April s. 1906, he pleaded not guilty. II
case of conviction, the penalty for th'
offense is not less than three years no.
more than twenty years imprisonment.
To BE Tried in January.
Harvey Given, assistant United States
district attorney. said yesterday that th'