Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-01-09
CORONER BEGINS PROBE
INTO MODELS MURDER
Knight Says Police Need More
Evidence to Convince of
Lewis's Guilt
SHIRT SALESMAN TALKS
Pittsburgh Suicide Showed No Nerv-
BUSINESS When He Made Pur-
chases, He Insists

Coroner Knight said today he did not
believe Bernard w Lewis, Of Pittsburgh.
who committed suicide in Atlantic city
was the murderer of Mazie colbert. the
artists model. He intimated an opinion
that the case had been bungled by the
police
They will have to show me much more
than they have before I become convinced
that Lewis killed the girl" Coroner knight
said
He refused TO discuss the ease at length
and said he was making inquiries Of hiE
own regarding the mystery which might
have very important results.
rho latest phases Of the case are.
FIRST Lewis bought the collar. tie, shirt
and undorahirt found ON him after he cont
mitted suicide In the habcrdashery store
OF De Haven VI. Lewis, 1890 Market street,
at 1915 a. M, Friday December 80, the
day the model was killed.
Second Henry J. Bass OF North Glen
side the clerk from whom Lewis purchased
the goods. said today he was positive of
the time Of the sale and Lewis was in no
way nervous at the time.
Third Detectives Hodge and Farrell said
that Magistrate Harry J. timber has told
them that it was about 1905 or l0:l0 a. m,
on that day that he talked over the phone
with the Colbert girl. Detective callahan
said that Ruth. the fourteen year-old sister
Of Marie Collins. in formed them that II
was about ~ a. m. that the telephone con
vcrsatiou took place between the model and
Marie Collins on that day.
Fourth The time mentioned in each case
agrees with the theory of detectives who
point to Lewis as the murderer. Both
Magistrate Imbcr and Marie Collins had
prcvisuly informed the police, however that
the conversations referred to took place at
about II a. m.
Fifth Three Of the eight keys found
on the key ring in the models apartment
were found today to fit door, a chest and
II bureau in the apartment. None Of the
keys, however fits the outside door
Both Detectives Hodge and Farrell talked
with Magistrate Imber today, they said,
and quote him as follows:
II had no hearings that day" Magistrate
Imber said, "and had just entered my Office
n few minutes after 10 a. m on that Friday
when Constable Weinberg informed me that
there was some one waiting on the tcle-
phone to speak to me, It was the Colbert
girl"
Detectiye Callahan interviewed the young
sister of Marie Collins, who said that she
went TO help her sister straighten her apart
ment in the Wilton and that her sister had
talked with the Colbert girl some time be-
tween 10 and 1915 a. m
A further examination of the many wit
nesses in the case will be made by District
Attorney Rotan today,
Bass, the clerk VINO SOlu tne naDeTudSU-
cry to Lewis on the day of tho murder
gave a more detailed account Of his con-
versation with Lewis.
81 am positive of the time" Bass ex-
planned. because Mr.. Lewis. the boss, came
in while the sale was being made and
glanced at the clock.
Lewis walked in and as I glanced up
he smiled and said pleasantly: :
"'Good morning ] am rather in n
hurry. What can YOU show me in the line
OF a suitcase-not too expensive?
."I showed him what we had and as
did so l noticed that his coat collar was
turned up and that he had on a black
mufler. l saw later that he did not have
a collar on.
After purchasing the suitcase he bought
a collar, shirt and an athletic undershirt.
He then looked at some ties and picked out
a black and white one.
"'I like those quiet colors, he said 4
think I'll take this one
The whole bill was only $6 He paid
It out of a $50 bill.
THE most striking thing of the sale
is the fact that when Lewis looked at the
collars, he asked for a Colbert make,
which is the same name as the murdered
girl Still, I wear a Colbert collar myself,