The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1920-07-31
Miners Ordered Back to Work on Wilson's Plea
SUDDEN DEATH
OF GEM BROKER
INVOLVES GIRL
Police Find Diamond Mer.
chant Dead After
PARTY" in Flat.

SAae~A
PARTY" in Flat.
Chicago, July 31-(United Press.)
Two members Of Chicago's me--
camille aristOcracy were involved
in the mysterious death here last
night OF Samuel T. A. LOFTS,
Lofts. president of a widely
known diamond brokerage firm,
was found dead in his fat. There
were slight marks on his head and
chest but none to indicate a fatal
wound.
Roy T. Shayne, son Of the late
John T. Shayne, former nationally
known furrier, was another prin-
cipaL He and May Woods, whom
he claimed as fiancee, were held
by police today. They were with
the hot-tempered Lofts when he
died.
HE insulted May and she phoned
me. l went to the fiat at once and
LOFTS opened the door to admit me.
Right then he slipped to the floor
unconscious and the physician we
called said he was dead"
Miss Woods disappeared from the
luxurious fat shortly after the
physician had left. Shayne called
the coroner's Office, asking the Of
fetal to visit the fat at once.
I'm in hell Of hole" he told
the officer, urging speed.
Questioned by officers, Shayne at
first refused to give Miss Woods
name. asserting she was in no way
guilty and that publicity would dis
grace her.
Flat In Disorder.
Officers found Lofts richly fur
nished rooms in DISORDER with
broken liquor bottles and glasses
and cigaret y ashes strewn over
costly rugs and ground into price,
less table linen.
Lofts was divorced in 1912 and
maintained his home as bachelor
quarters. His housekeeper. Hulda
Johnsop. said 1t WAs the scene ni
almost nightly parties in which
drink played an important part.
His dinner to Ruth Woods in
which there was no trace of foods,
was sample of those parties, she
said,
A sidelight on the bachelors life
x,ya q n pafo frov,, HEiac Tocophino AZ
Hassell, 81, his secretary. She had
a room in the Lofts fiat but left il
when the housekeeper went on her
vacation. The note was a wall that
Lofts had insulted her publicly
and privately. She said she would
not be back.
II might even have gone on with
you if you hadn't started to drink
again." the note said.
She told her employer she was
taking nothing but two cameo rings
he had given her. Il may have to
sell them" she said.
Change Noticed in Him.
Lofts divorce was obtained by
his wife on grounds of extreme
cruelty. His friends commented
on the fact that Lofts temper al
ways had been short and that even
his business career had been a ser.
les Of hot and often violent quar-.
rels with his brother and other as
sociates. In late months he had
not made his usual trips to Offices
in other cities but had remained al
home and friends noted a change il
his physical condition.
Shayne, held by the police, is ar
advertising solicitor. He wa:
forced out Of the business founded
by his father, about a year ago. His
wife died six months ago.
Dies After "Friendly Struggle"
Chicago, July 31.-Miss MAJ
Woods. a pretty hotel cashier, who
was alone with Samuel T. A. Lofts
head Of the diamond firm of Lott!
Brothers, when he died suddenl,
in his luxurious apartment las
night, today told the police tha
Lofts crumpled to the floor deaf
after they had engaged in a friend
ly struggle"
Although the police believe tha
the diamond merchant died from {
concussion Of the brain, probabl!
caused by a fall, they are not salts
fed with conflicting stories told b!
Miss Woods, and Roy M. Shayne
son Of late millionaire merchant
who also is being held pending tn
inquest.
Say He Tried to Attack Her.
Miss Woods, who described
Shayne as her fiance, said she wal
called by Lofts to his apartment
yesterday afternoon, that the,
danced and drank together, an.
finally Lofts attempted to attacl
her.
I'VE were having a playful strug
gue," Miss Woods declared, IAN,
my attention was momentarily dis
tracted from him. The netx instan
! was startled by the sound of hi
body falling to the floor. l was a
loss to know what to do an,
rushed to the telephone to summon
Mr.. Shayne."
Stories Differ.
According to 'Shayne, he reaches
O'Clock when LOFTS opened the
the LOFTS apartment about
O'Clock when Lofts opened the doc
to admit him and suddenly caump
led up on the floor. As soon a
Shayne arrived Miss Woods de-
from the apartment.
In the meantime Shayne called
physician and when he arrived tn
body OF Lofts vas cold. indicating
that LOFTS had been dead for som
time. The police are convincel