The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-01-13

Columbus, O., Jan. 1S.-With the
arrest at Huntington, Ind, early this
morning of Weldon H Wells, on an
embezzlement charge made in Kansas
City, his home, the Columbus police
believe the slayer of Mona Byron
Simon in an elegantly furnished room
of a leading hotel here has been ap-
pretended Wells is reported to have
admitted that he registered at the
hotel under the name of G. V. van
Brunt Requisition of Wells Will De
made today, it was stated by the po-
lice Miss Simon's body was found at
noon yesterday. Her body lay in a
pool of blood on the floor of the room
engaged Tuesday by &C. V. Van Brunt,
Chicago" The body was discovered
by Mrs. Mary Reynolds, hotel house
keeper. Coroner HerskOwitz, found a
bullet hole in the girls cheek.
Pillow to Muffle Shot
A pillow in the room had been burn
ed by powder, indicating that 1t mad
been used to muffle the sound of the
report of the revolver used by the
SLAYER. In the bath room was found
a blood-stained towel probably used
by the murderer. Miss Simon had
been killed while on the bed, but the
body had rolled to the floor, her nose
being broken in the fall it is thought.
The empty shell from a 3S-callbre re-
volver was found under the bed. A
handkerchief with the initials wv. II.
w" was found in the room by the
police.
Miss Simon was twenty-seven years
old and was a member of respected
family. Wells, according to a Column
bus sporting editor, came here to con-
fer with Joe Tinker. new owner of the
Columbus baseball club. about "A posi-
ton.
Admits Registering as Van Brunt.
H. Wells, twenty-five years old, of
Kansas City, formerly of Huntington,
was arrested here early this morning
in connection with the killing of Mona
Simon in a room of a Columbus, O.,
hotel He is also held on a charge of
embezzlement filed at Kansas City.
The police assert that his admissions
warranted them in holding Wells, al
tho the prisoner denies that he knows
anything of the crime. Wells admitted
according to the police that, while in
Columbus he stayed at the hotel in
which the girls body was found and
that he registered under the name of
Van Brunt. Word from Columbus
said the girls body was found in the
room which had been occupied by Van
Brunt.
In Wells's suit case Chief Baker said
he found two bloodstained handker-
chiefs Stains were also found on the
collar the man was wearing. Wells
slight cut on the neck. Stains which
Wells asserts are paint were found on
the sleeve of his undershirt
Sends Back Stolen Checks
Kansas City. Mo, Jan: 13.-Welson
H. Wells. Kansas City man held in
Huntington, Ind, on a charge of en-
bezzlement. and who is believed to be
connected with the murder of Mona
Simon in a Columbus, Ohio. hotel, left
Kansas City on January A. according
to his employers here today.
Wells left the firm of Ward Broth
ers Wholesale Produce company, TAX
ing several checks belonging to the
concern and about $500 of firms
money, Charles Ward. a member of
the fiji m. said.
1--WE traced him to Chicago the 5th."
Ward said. 1.-The next day he was in
Fort Wayne, Ind, and on the sth he
wrote me a letter from Huntington
Ind, in which he enclosed the checks
he had taken. He advised me in that
letter that there would be little use
for me to try to find him, as he was
going to Canada.
Has Wife in Huntington.
by the time Won get this letter. 1
will be in Canada, a member of the
Royal Guards he wrote"
Ward said Wells had been married,
and that his wife now was in Hunt
ington. He believed they were sep
arated.
ct did not believe when I got the
letter that Wells would go to Canada, -
Ward said, because he did not have
enough money to take him there"
StOutly Denies Guilt.
Chief of Police Baker arrived at
the Jail at 1880 and started to quiz
Wells further regarding movements at
Columbus.
Wells contends stoutly that he was
not guilty. He stated that he was will
ing to go back and face the charge.
Wells, according to the police. de-
MES knowing anything of the murder,
but admits he registered under the as
sumed name of Van Brunt'' at the
Deshler hotel, where the girl was
killed.
He declared stains found on his un-
dershirt were paint and not blood. Po-
lice here received word last night