Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1917-01-11
FIGHT WITNESSED
BY NEW LOVER?
Police Seek Man When Woman
Says Maize Colbert Refused
to Meet Lewis Might Be-
fore the Murder.

Philadelphia. Pa. Jan. S.-That there
was a second man in Maizie Colbert's
flat when she was slain, is part of the
theory advanced in several quarters
here today, and being considered by
the police. This theory accounts for
the open window the police first be-
lieved due to the woman's having tried
Ia call help. Apparently, digging into
the mystery has not stopped with the
suicide of Bernard Wesley Lewis.
Some 10 days prior to her murder,
according TO the police, the girl
wrote a letter to her w~ealthiest adj
mirer. He lives upstate. He had
known her for several years. He had
been generous in gifts of money. jew
elry and clothing on the many occa-
sions in which he had visited her
here. The letter was a carefully word
ed one, showing pains in preparation.
and it ended by telling him the griev-
ances therein related We're beyond her
power to endure, and that he must see
her lawyer.
Rival Dictated Letter.
The inspiration for his letter came
from the prominent Philadelphia in
volved. 1t is said that this man sug-
gested it. even insisted that she send
it: that he showed her how to word it
"a man. incidentally, Of high position
and enjoying the respect and conf
dence which follow success and a good
reputation.
The ont of town man received the
letter. He knew that other men shared
with him his admiration for the little
model. Some of these friends OF hers
We're his own personal friends and,
while he is said not to have been
greatly alarmed by it's contents, he de-
termined to go to Philadelphia to see
A T.rl1,,rt'- r,,,,r " F, -. L..
position.
Arrived here. he determined to pay
the woman a visit before he saw her
lawyer and see il he could not straight
en- out the tangle. She had the reputa-
ton of being a good fellow"
Hides In Bath Room.
Some time Friday he went to the
Wilton apartments, where she lived,
to carry out this plan, it is said. Maizie
Colbert saw him walk up the steps.
With her at that moment was the
Philadelphia who had advised the let
ter. Both of them We're amazed. A
visit from this mar was the last thing
they expected. The Philadelphia fled
into the bathroom. where he hid him
self. while the woman went forward
to meet the visitor. AS he fled, the
Philadelphian told her in substance to
make the letter good.
The conversation began. The letter
was the subject. The model insisted
her wrongs" must be atoned: the man,
that she had none. A bitter quarrel
quickly developed. In the middle Of it
Grace Roberts flew into a rage and.
picking up the first thing that came to
hand, h struck the man repeatedly
The blows gave him several slight scalp
wounds.
Soon he stopped warding off the
blows and struck back. He struck out
savagely and the woman fell senseless
to the foor. Then she was further
abused and finally killed.
He Saw the FIGHT.
The man in the bathroom was a
witness to all that happened. at leas,
until the woman fell, according to po-
lice information. 1t is believed he either
escaped by jumping from the bathroom
window Immediately after this blow
was struck or else he remained a silen,
witness to what followed. The genera.
theory is that he jumped as soon as he
realized the peril of his situation.
The story as related here is the story
the police have been told and have
s~ubstantiated by investigation. Blu,
they also have information that goes
much further back and involves this
same Philadelphian in a discreditablt
undertaking, which involved two girls
and two ~clergymen were slated for it.
victims. This plot failed. however, be
cause of the determination of tn.
preachers to put up a finish fight.