Los Angeles herald., 1909-05-07
FEARS GIRL WILL
DRINK BEER; MAN
SHOOTS HIMSELF
AERONAUT DISREGARDS WORD
OF YOUNG WOMAN
USES REVOLVER IN PRESENCE
OF SWEETHEART
F. r. Leroyxez, Zoo Keeper at Chutes
Park, Refuses to Attend Party
at Which Liquor Will
Be Served

X years old, of 1923 South Hope
~ street. refused to promise not to
attend a party to which she was in
vited, and at which beer was to be
served, f. r. Leroyxez, aeronaut and
ZOO keeper at the Chutes park, a wen
known parachute jumper and a proml-
nent member of the Los Angeles Aero
club, sent bullet through his breast
in the presence of the girl and several
of her companions at the entrance to
the Chutes park shortly before O'Clock
last night.
The bullet entered the breast just
above the heart and passed through
the body. Leroyxez was hurried TO
the receiving hospital, and after the
wound was dressed by the police sur
reons the wounded man was removed
to the Clara Barton hospital The
surgeons say the man is probably Ia
tally wounded. ,-
Wood. met Miss Lyons more than
year ago. He roomed at the home OF
the girls mother at 1928 South Hope
street, He became infatuated with the
girl and a short time ago, according
to the girls story, tried to make her
. promise TO marry nm Wy
her with a revolver.
Terovxez persisted in his attentions
TO the girl, who said she did not love
him-only "liked him." as she eX-
pressed it--and gave her numerous
presents. He taught her how to make
balloon ascensions, and last september
she made her first appearance as an
aeronaut by ascending in a hot air pal-
loon at Pomona.
Miss Lyons was to have made an as
cent with Leroyxez Sunday, put sne
changed her mind and promised him TO
make the ascent the coming sunday
Objected to Beer
Several days ago some friends of the
girl made arrangements Tor party 70
be given Thursday night. Miss Lyons
was among the first invited, and by
some oversight Leroyxez, who is much
older than the companions of the girl
was not invited until Wednesday after
noon He seemed sighted at thls' re-
fused to attend, and tried to persuaoe
the girl to remain away.
Last night Miss Lyons, her protilsr
William Lyons, Grace Thompson OF 6zz
Ceres avenue and John Holleran, 1881
East Fortieth street, met LeroyXez at
the entrance to the Chutes park. Inc
girl and her brother tried TO persuaue
Leroyxez to change his MIND ana go 10
the Marty The latter refused TO con-
sent and asked Miss Lyons not to 60
She wanted to know why he objected
to her going, and Leroyxez repled tnat
there would be beer served and he dld
not want her to drink any or the
liquor. s.,,,,
anv liouors. He insisted that she stay
away. She refused. Then he asked
her to promise not to drink any beer.
This she did. Leroyxez then turned TO
William Lyons with II remark about
sending him east. quickly drew re-
volver from his coat pocket ana sent
a bullet through his own breast.
The act was done so quickly that
neither the girl nor her brother, al
though they were standing WITHIN
few feet of Leroyxez, had time to pre-
vent the shooting.
Girl Summons Aid
AS the aeronaut sank to the sidewalk,
the blood squirting from the wound, the
girl ran screaming to nearby drug
store and summoned DR.. N. j. Brown.
The latter, with the aid OF others car
ried the wounded man to the drug
store across the street, where Lee
royxez was given emergency treat
ment, pending the arrival OF the po-
lice ambulance, which had been sum-
moned.
Leroyxez did not lose consciousness.
He told the police surgeon he could not
bear having the girl go to the party
and drink beer and shot himself be-
cause she would not promise to stay
away.
Later Miss Lyons and her brother
visited the wounded man at the re-
ceiving hospital. Leroyxez burst into
tears when the girl appeared and his
replies to her words, brace up, Rex;
you'll be all right" were sobbed out
in such low tones that they were not
Ineligible.
1--WE were trying to persuade him to
90 to the party with u.s." said Miss
Lyons. HE would not consent to do
so and tried to get me to stay away.
He knew there would be beer at the
party and did not want me to go for
that reason. / told him never
touched any liquors and promised him
| would not drink even one glass. l
thought everything was arranged sat-
isthctorily, when suddenly he drew
his revolver and shot himself.
II never was in love with him, al
though he seems to love me very
much. He taught me how to make an
ascent in a balloon and 1 was to have
made an ascension with him the COM
ing Sunday"
Leroyxez Is Daring
Leroyxez told the police surgeons he
was % years of age, but he looks much
older and persons who are acquainted
with him say he is nearer 40.
He has made great number of dar-
ing parachute jumps and has been in
a number of accidents, from which he
has had marvellous escapes from seri-
Gus injury and probably death. He
came to Los Angeles nine years ago
from Lima, Ohio, where his father,
r. w Wood, and other relatives live.
Miss Lyons is a pretty girl--a mere
ohild-and seemed unable to realize the
situation. She did not seem to worry
whether or not the aeronaut was fa-
tally wounded and her sole care
seemed trying to get possession of a
shirt stud belonging to Leroyxez, who
told her to get it from the police and
keep it for him.
Leroyxez has been employed at the
Chutes park for the last two or three
years. He made balloon ascensions on
sundays and at other times had charge
Of the ZOO.
The developments following the
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