Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1917-01-05

his feet braced against the head of the
bath tub, Bernard Wesley Lewis, scion
of a wealthy Pittsburgh, Pa, family,
wanted in connection with the murder
of Maizie Colbert, the artists model,
in Philadelphia apartment on Satur-
day night last, pulled the trigger of
a ,22-caliber rifle in the bath room
adjoining his bed rooms in the eXclu-
sive States villa, on states avenue, to-
night at S:25 o'clock, as Detectives
Farley and Totten of the local head
quarters staff, raped for admittance
on the door of his room.
The shot entered the mans temple
and death is believed to have been in
stantaneous. That Lewis anticipated
arrest and made preparations to kill
himself is Indicated by the fact that
the rifle was new.
Request for hir~st Madss
Yesterday Captain of Detectives
Malseed received a communication
from Captain of Detectives Tate at
Philadelphia, asking him to endeavor
to locate Lewis. Detectives Farley
and Totten were assigned to the case,
They succeeded in ascertaining that
the father Of Lewis, Wenman Lewis,
a retired coal operator resided in
house near the states villa, about four
years ago.
on inquiry they learned that Ber-
nard Lewis was known at States villa
but up to o'clock last night he had
not arrived at the house and there
was then no indication that he would
do 50.
About s o'clock tonight word came
over the telephone to Captain NAL
seeds office that man answering the
description Of Lewis had entered
States villa and was then partaking of
his evening meal. Farley and Totten
were rushed to the house on States
avenue. Upon inquiry from a maid
at the door they learned that Lewis
had gone to his room on the third
floor. They hurried up the stairs and
raped at the door of the bed room.
who is there?" Lewis called out.
eve have a message for YOU Far
ley answered, "let us in"
All TlBHt, was tne reply.
Fatal Shot Fired.
A moment later the detectives heard
a door bang inside the room. Their
first thought was that Lewis was at
tempting to make his escape through
a window. They hurried to an ad-
joining room from which there was
door to the bath room
of Lewis apartment. As they tried
the door the rifle shot was heard
They tried to insert a key in the
door but found that the keyhole had
been plugged. They then hurried to
the door leading to Lewis bed room.
There they effected an entrance. They
found the door to the bath room
locked and were forced to break it
open.
Lewis was found half reclining in
the bath tub with his feet braced
against the head The trigger of the
.22-caliber rifle was still clasped in his
hand and the end OF the barrel rested
against his temple The detectives
saw at once that the man was dead.
County Physician L. r. Souder was
notified and he arrived a few minutes
later
Dr. Souder expressed the opinion
that death was instantaneous, and said
that in all probability an inquest would
be held.
Fingers Show Scratches.
Lewis had removed his coat He
was attired in a blue striped shirt,
black trousers and black shoes. The
bullet had penetrated his temple. His
fingers showed several scratches. on
the bureau were several copies of to-
days Philadelphia, Atlantic City and
New York newspapers.
One contained the flaring headline
across the front page. Girl May Solve
Model Mystery" Underneath this was
4 large column cut of Maizie Colbert
Lewis was positively Identified by
the owners of the hotel He was a
man apparently about SO years of age,
dark complexion and extremely high
forehead, rather prepossessing in APP
pearance. He had little luggage and
only Sc and some change in money.
According to the people at the
hotel, he arrived there at 10 o'clock
Wednesday night. He appeared rather
morose and uncommunicative.. He