Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-01-05
POLICE BELIEVE
BERNARD LEWIS
KNEW OF CRIME

Philadelphia, Jan. 4.-The death by
his own hand in an Atlantic City Motel
tonight Of Bernard w. Lewis, the
wealthy young Pittsburger, as he was
about to be arrested in connection with
the murder of Maize Colbert, the art
lists model, the police declare, leads
them to believe that he had knowledge
of the crime even if he was not actu-
ally the slayer. Although reports from
Atlantic City late tonight said that
Lewis had left no written statement,
local authorities hoped something yet
could be found among his effects to
clear up the mystery, which for four
days has baffied the efforts of a score
or more detectives. Lewis, who is said
to be we'll known among the dancing
set at leading hotel cafes and roof gar
denS in New York. Atlantic City and
Philadelphia, was wanted on a tech
nical charge of defrauding taxicab
chauffeur out of his fare early Friday
morning when the murder is believed
to have been committed.
Visited Apartment House
| ElwOod, the chauffeur, made an af-
fidavit before a magistrate that Lewis
is the man he drove to the apartment
house where Miss Colbert lived. Lewis
name was given to the police by Miss
Ethel Kyle and Miss Mabel Kyle, sis
ters, both public school teachers, after
the detectives had been working on a
clue that the slayer of Miss Colbert
was mysterious young man, evidently
of refinement and wealth. who Powell
said he drove to the Colbert apart
mentS after a trip from one Of the
hotels in the city to Germantown, a
suburb, where the school teachers re-
side. Lewis, according to the chauf-
feur, after escorting the sisters home,
directed him to drive to 18th and Pop
lar streets, where the apartments of
Miss Colbert were located. Lewis dis
appeared around the corner and Pow
ell is unable to say whether he enter
ed the house. He neglected to settle a
taxi bill of $40, Powell said. although
the Kyle girls asserted Lewis was
abundantly supplied with money
Before the suicide of Lewis Capt. Tate
of the detective bureau said:
I'VE have no evidence against Lewis,
but we must find him to learn whether he
was in Maize Colbert's apartments
Was Married
Lewis was 80 years Old and married. He
and his wife are we'll known in Pittsbura
society. His father on learning that "a
warrant for his sons arrest had been Is
sued said in Pittsburg that he knew
nothing of his whereabouts as he had no,
seen his son for a month Young Lewis
he said, left Pittsburg to engage in bust
ness. ostensbly in New York. He was
Co. of Pittsburg, now out of existence.
The Kyle sisters informed the police
that Lewis told them during a theatre ami
supper party last Thursday night that he
had been commissioned to purchase NUM-
lions for the British government. He also
said, the Misses Kyle told the authorities.
that he had lost his luggage between
New York and this city. In Maize Col
bert's apartment at the time of the dis
covery of the murder was a mans blood
stained shirt and collar, both apparently
new and without laundry marks.
Funeral of Girl
The funeral of the slain girl was held
today from an undertaking establishment
Only her parents and other relatives at
tended. The body lay in a costly casket
said to have been provided by influential
friends. A curious crowd surrounded the
place.
Surveillance Of the wealthy Pennsylva-
MIA brewer, an admirer of Miss Colbert
and who is said to have presented her
with an expensive diamond ring which
is missing, is being maintained at "a hote,
here pending developments.
Called Kyle Girls
Lewis twice this afternoon tele-
phoned, apparently from Atlantic City.
to the home of the Kyle sisters. His
calls, were answered by Miss Nav
Kyle. a third sister. and Lewis. she
said. plunged at once into the subject
of the murder.
What shall l do?" he is reported to
have said. Isn't this terrible?"
Did you know the Colbert grip"
Miss Kyle said she asked him.
''Of course / did not know her" he
is said to have replied.
Then why have you not called on
the detectives and explained where you
were on friday" Miss Kyle asked. |
why didn't you let them know before |
this?"
Lewis is said to have replieds