Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1910-11-02
MAN WHO COMMIT
TED SUICIDE At CEDAR RAP.
IDS HAD TWO WIVES.
NO. 2 BRINGS PROOF THAT
CEREMONY WAS PERFORMED
Woman. Grief Pitiab'e When She
Discovers Supposed Husband Whom
She Came 70 Visit Is Dsad-Wifs No.
1 in Detroit Not Greatly Concerned
When Informed Of Rayner's Death.

Cedar Rapids, Nov. 2.-When James
H. Rayner the man who Monday COM
mitted suicide at the Delavan hotel by
drinking a large quantity Of carbolic
acid, told Detective MCGUIRE on Tues
day morning that Mrs. James H. Ray
ner, Of Parkersburg, w. Va, was not
la wife Of his, but only an affinity. he
uttered a falsehood. That the woman
has reason to call herself his wife was
proved conclusively yesterday after
noon when she arrived and showed to
the authorities her proof of marriage,
to James II. Rayner.
From the evidence that was CLEAN
ed yesterday Coroner King and De-
tective Mcclure are almost positive
that the man was thought a bigamist.
His statement in his note left on the
dresser saying that Mrs. James H..
Rayner at the Belmont hotel in Detroit,
was his legally married wife and then
the papers exhibited by Mrs. Rayner.
of Parkersburg, are the foundation for
these convictions.
Woman's Grief PitiabIe.
It was tragic moment at the North
western ticket office yesterday after
noon when Mrs. Rayner was told of the
act of her husband. She broke down
completely and her grief was pitiable.
1t was several moments before she
could control her feelings and then
talk. Her grief, however, at the sight
of the body at Peatty's morgue was
frantic. "Oh. my poor Jimmy" she
walled. what a good friend YOU had
been to me and now you are dead.
How could YOU do it,"
The almost distracted woman be-
came almost unmanageable and with
all sorts of endearing names made at
tempts to kiss her husband. She was
restrained. however, and finally had to
be led away for she seemed 10 grow
worse at the sight of the dead body
An Attractive Woman.
The arrival of Mrs. Rayner was
looked for by Detective Mcclure for
she had sent the telegram in the
morning saying that she would come
on the $3.50 train. Detective Mcguire,
Coroner King and representative Of
this paper were at the train and
had no trouble in finding the woman
as she descended from the train. Mrs.
SIleT Is d dSSu Dut d Nei y
we'll preserved woman. She has a
kindly expression and a most pleasant
manner speaking in the broad south
quality and of the latest style. On the
whole she is an attractive woman.
Tells Her Story.
| When met by Detective Mcguire and
Coroner King she was escorted into
90
company. Her request in the telegram
and she did not appear excited or dis
tressed when she first came. Coroner
King questioned her in a casual man
ner about her husband.
MY name is Mrs. ]. H. Rayner" she
stated. Il have been married to Mr..
Rayner about five months and have
lived with him since that time. had
known him about two years before ]
married him. We have lived happily
together and I have become worried
over his absence in the last week be-
cause he has ceased to communicate
with me. My worries increased and
asked the chief Of police for informa-
ton. When I heard that Mr.. Rayner
had been drinking 1 thought something
was wrong for ever since have kr:-own
him he has not touched drop Of liquor
Of any kind. Tell me is he any better
and all right? am very anxious about
his health"
Could Not Believe He Was Dead.
1t was then that the woman was
told of her husbands suicide. At the
news she very nearly collapsed and
evidenced the greatest grief. 1t took
several moments to regain her self and
then she told freely of her acquaintance
with Rayner. She would not believe
however, that he had another wife and
stated So To convince her she was
taken to Beatty's undertaking parlors
where were Rayner's clothes and the
notes which he had left at the hotel.
Was Travelling Salesman.
Mr.. Rayner appeared to be mid
dle-aged man. He was a travelling
salesman representing the Columbia
Smelling and Refining works Of New
York City. For the past ten days he
was at the Delevan and it appears
that because OF his drinking he had
lost his position and was out of en-
ployment. He wore neat clothes and
was member of the Travellers I'M
ion. During all of his stay at the Del
avan the clerks report he seldom left
his roon1se Monday when Detective Nc
CURE had seen him he told him that
he needed some fresh air, and urged