The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1917-01-07
Fathers Of Both Principals in
Model Murder Declare He
Did Not KIN Girl.
DEMAND FURTHER PROBE
Elder Colbert Says No Proof
Has Been Furnished OF
Pittsburgher's Guilt. /.

PHILADELPHIA. Jan. while de-
tectives still say they are sure Ber-
nard Wesley Lewis. scapegrace son
OF a wealthy Pittsburgh family. was
the murderer OF Make Colbert, pretty
model, the parents OF both principals
scout this theory and demand further
investigation.
James H. Colbert, aged father OF
the slain woman, has just broken his
silence for the first time since his
daughters body was found In bed In
her apartment, clad only in silk pa
jamas.
Ne Proof OF Guilt.
II am convinced that my daughter
was not killed by Lewis" he announc-
ed. The police have been unable TO
give me any proof that my daughter
died at Lewis hands or that he had
any connection with her death.
81 demand that the detectives con-
tinue their search for the murderer.
They must not stop until he has been
actually found, and made TO pay the
laws penalty for his foul crime
sure OF Innoeenee.
And, while Lewis, who committed
suicide in an Atlantic City apartment
while detectives battered at his door
to arrest him on q technical charge
in connection with the murder, was
being buried from his home In Pitts
burgh today, his father, wealthy re-
tired coal magnate, expressed his be-
lief that his SON had not, committed
the crime.
The declaration OF Lewis limo
cence is strengthened by the letter,
just msue public, which he wrote &c
q friend on December II, days before
the murder. and which shows he was
contemplating suicide then.
Letter to Friend.
The letter was to James 8. Nc
Fadyan. a stock yards man In Pitts
burgh. and one of Lewis closest
friends It follows:
Before you get this letter will
have paid for my mistakes. You were
one real friend upon whom could
rely. This Is my last request OF you
Please. so long as you live, see that
no harm comes to Laura and Betty.
and tell Betty about all the pitfalls
ahead OF her so she may miss them
I'd do this for you II the tables were
reversed, and I ask you in Gods name
to look out for Laura and Betty.
am only a wreck now, but they mus.
have some peace and happiness.
Laura Is a wonderful woman. and
I'm paying tonight for wrecking her
life. For what we've been in the
past. JIm,k make the road for father
and moth6r and Laura and Betty as
easy as possible. This Is my last
word. BERNARD"
"vletim OF DetaiIs.1
There is a possibility" said Maize
Colbert's father in discussing this
letter. ''that this man Lewis was the
victim only OF some unpleasant de-
tails that surrounded his name and
that this suicide was made after he
had become deranged by the way
that he became dragged into it. I'm
fortunately Mazie's mother is ex-
tremely i'll. For several weeks her
condition has been critical We dared
not tell her OF the manner of our
death and for this reason
we have been compelled to leave
everything drop. We will insist that
the police do not drop the case owing
to this mans suicide and we will
insist upon an investigation into
every clew they may have, until they
run down. the real perpetrator OF the
crime"
Asked whether he thought that
anyone was being shielded. Colbert
replied that he did not know.
As for the elder Lewis, he Is pre-
pairing to leave for Philadelphia at
once to take personal charge of the
efforts to clear his sons name