The Washington herald., 1917-01-05
MODELS FRIEND
KILLS himself
Man Whose Collar Was Found
In Apartment Com
Z mits Suicide.
By the International New. Service,

CBy the International News service.)
Atlantic City. N. J.. Jan. with hts
feet braeed against the head of the bath
tub. Bernard Wesley Lewis. scion of
wealthy Pittsburgh family, and wanted
IN connection with the murder of Grace
Roberts, artists model. pulled the trigger
Of a Y rife in the bathroom adjoining his
bedroom here tonight Just as detectives
Of the local headquarters star raped for
admission on the door Of his room.
Lewis was formerly Wall Street
broker Of the firm OF Moore, Leonard
and Lewis, It Is reported. The shot en-
tered the mans temple and death Is be-
Heved to have been instaneous.
Detectives ascertained that the father
OF Lewis. a retired coal operator, living
in Pittsburgh. resided in a house near
the States Villa about four years ago.
On inquiry they learned that Bernard
Lewis was known at States Villa, but up
to 8 o'clock last night he had not arrived
at the house.
About o'clock this evening word came
over the telephone to Capt. Malzed's Of
f1ce that a man answering the descrip-
ton of Lewis had entered States Villa
and was eating his evening meal. Farley
and Totten 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
raped on the door of the bedroom, but
the only response was the, crash of the
rifle.
The suicide of Lewis was the apex of
a day Of fierce dramatics. From the
northern part Of the city this afternoon,
a pretty girl was brought to police head
quarters. She had seen Lewis Friday
night
Although the detectives do not charge
Lewis with the murder, they declare
that his was the collar found In the
beautiful models rooms and that a wo-
man who saw Lewis on Friday night
Identified It by a spot upon 1t and the
fact that it was slightly wilted in front.
The detectives now admit that while
they sought to arrest Lewis on the fail
ure to pay the money, they really wanted
him because they believe that he saw
the murder committed; that he was in
the girls rooms when her lover appeared
and. Enaddened either by alcohol or jeal-
ousy, or both. battered the girl to death.
while Lewis, hideously fascinated,
watched.
"whst Shall L dot"
While the detectives were hunting Wild
evidently mad with excitement, telephCl-
ed thrice to the home OF Miss Ethel
and Mabel Kyle, whom he is said to
have taken home on the night of the
murder.
What shall do? What shall 1 say7
he asked the first time he teiephoned to
Miss May Kyle, sister of the two public
school teachers whom Lewis escorted
home.
Il do not know this woman, Grace
Colbert, or Roberts, or whoever she vas.
1t will ruin me. 1t will ruin me-this
revolving thing. Ny God. they say the
police ara looking for me.
The police now declare that the arrest
OF the murderer of Grace Roberts Is a
simple matter; that Lewis's suicide but
confirms their suspicious. They say
that the real murderer is within the
grasp OF their hands. Although hey
refuse to reveal the name of the suspect,
there is not a great deal of mystery
about his identity.
Detective Lieut.. Wood announced sim
ultaneOusly with the arrival of the news
of the suicide, that Capt Tate, chief Of
the Philadelphia detectives, would be
ready before morning to make an arrest.
I'VE have cleaned up the mystery OF
the death of Grace Roberts, thank God"
snapped Woods.
VIII you make the arrest nov?" he
was asked.
The case is nearly closed" was the
reply.