The Washington herald., 1910-07-18

Rather than face court trial on charges
preferred nearly q year ago. William
Lyons. an old-time race track gambler
and bookmaker. ended his life by hang
ing In cell at the Sixth precinct sta
ton yesterday morning.
Pinned to his coat was a hastily writ
ten note. in which he accused his wife
Of betraying him with a Judas kiss"
He was taken into custody Saturday
afternoon. after being away from the
city since last August. when he jumped
+ sl,OoO bail, following his arrest for book
making
On August ls, 1905. Lyon and his wife.
Julia A Lyons. were arrested at their
home. s25 Sixth street northwest. on a
charge of making handbooks on the
races.
Both were subsequently released under
bonds OF 5000 each Before the case
was called for trial Lyons left the city.
and had evaded the detectives until Sat
urday.
Friend Sends Note.
on Thursday of last week Lyons wife.
who had returned to the city a few days
before, received a note from an old
friend OF her husband at the Empire City
track. saying that Lyons was down and
out" and was returning to Washington
10 face the charges hanging over him.
Mrs. Lyons notified the bondsmen. and
they detailed a negro named Henry
Johnson, at one time a special officer
in the police department TO locate him.
Johnson found Lyons in a saloon In
Third street northwest about o'clock
Saturday afternoon and took him 10 the
Sixth precinct station house He there
tfsfTed MN over TO Policeman Kelley to
be held until to-day for the bondsmen.
Lyons would not discuss the case with
the desk sergeant. although he did not
seem 20 be disturbed over HIS arrest.
His only remark was TO one Of the pa
trolmen In the station house. saying that
''it would come out all right In a few
days"
He was placed in the witness room on
the second floor, together. with "Cele"
Martin. who had been arrested earlier
in the afternoon by Precinct Detectives
Kelley and Armstrong. at the National
Hotel on handbook charges
His Bond Denied.
Martin was with Lyons but q few
hours. as ne obtained his release upon
bond, Martin offered to obtain bail for
Lyons. but the request was denied by
Clerk OF the Court CabrinQ
Martin. when seen lass night. said that
Lyons did not appear 10 be respondent
over his arrest. even stating that he
would have chance to go before the
court.
Patrolman ODay made his usual
rounds Of the prisoners during the night.
and up TO o'clock In the morning Lyons
was sleeping on his cot Shortly after
this Patrol Wagon Driver Fitzgerald.
working in the stable back OF the station
house. saw Lyons at the window. and
when o'Day made his o'clock round
Lyons was seated at the window writing.
The letter was his last word to his wife.
Knotting hts belt around his neck, he
had slipped it over the upper hinge of
the door and let himself slowly strangIe
to death. Life was almost extinct when
he was discovered.
Held for Inquest.
Physicians from Casualty Hospital were
summoned, but the man was dead before
their arrival. The body was removed to
the morgue by the direction OF Coroner
hewitt, who will hold an inquest this
morning.
Lyons note 10 HIS wife read as follows:
Ny Dear Julia: I know this trouble has been In
stgated by YOU This is what voa meant BY telling
ne that you were going to see the clerk Of thes
court not to get the settled. but get in
trouble. 1t Judas kiss YOU gave me-
know you have done this 20 get nd Of me and
to hide the life you living. Well I have lost
everything even my wife. May God forgive you as
have tried to do tonight Good-by. WILL
Domestic troubles since husband and
wife had been arrested last August had
weighed heavily upon Lyons, and al
though he was but fifty years old, he
seemed much older.
When taken into custody Lyons said
he had no fixed place of residence His
wife was found last night at their former
home. 525 Sixth street northwest She
would make no statement concerning her
husbands death. saying that she would
have nothing to say until after further
conference with her attorneys She init
mated that she would leave the city
within few days. She said she did not
know whether her husband had any rela-
tives.