Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-03-23
ii StkS pUDl IBV|C
II MAN she SLEW
lvs. Wills, Alone With Dead at
fa Midnigif, aids TsarfM
FaroweM
avfTs ,A,L FOR HOSPITAL

-. -
Gbssss, ptssstch to Ecsnino P~tnc LEDGER
AHaatie City, March "a dra-
NAtic scene was enacted early this
earning in the undertaking parlors Of
JsAA L. Germley, when polce and city
ancials stood with tear -diinmed eyes
w1lle Mrs. AIarcclla Hurley Wills bade
farewell to Lewis A. Wills, Jr.. her
hashand. former PhiIadclphian, whom
- killed durins quarrel, IN their
Apartment last Saturday. -
AZ noon today Judge Robert lnser-
scil signed an order allowing Mrs.
Wills to be taken to the hospital for
An operation: Her counsel in present
~ this application said that unless
Win be taken to the hospital this after
noon.
Fearing the widow would break un.
der the ordeal Of the public funeral
services this afternoon at Tleasantville,
the authorities arranged the private
farewell that the unfortunate woman
might dodge the curious crowds.
Because Of her delicate condition and
the terrible nerve strain she has been
under DR.. Mary Townsend. her physi-
Glan. even hesitated to take the widow
20 the bier early this morning. But she
insisted and became SO hysterical that
the authorities were afraid . refusal
wsuld cause a complete breakdown that
might prove fatal. Arrangements
therefore, were completed for the trip.
Newspspernou Excluded
Deepest secrecy was maintained and
newspapermen were barred from the
lare little room In the rear OF the
4ormley establishment. With the
knowledge that her friends were doing
everything possible to aid her. the
hrAve little woman fought off hysteria
that attacked her as midnight, the hour
dxed for the trip, approached.
The Rev. DR.. Henry Merle Mellen,
whose church she attends, arrived Mt
the city jail at II 80 o'clock. and with
DR.. Townsend. nurse and Mayor
Bader, head Of the construction firm of
which Wills was superintendent, went
% her cell.
Up until the last moment IL was
6sared the situation would get beyond
her strength. but under the ministrn :
tions Of those who gathered about she
gradually shook of her nervousness and
Of Police Chief Miller. With DR..
Townsend on the other side. they led
her to the officials coupe in front of
headquarters and assisted her inside.
Mayor Rader and DR.. Mellen followed
n another machine.
Left Alone With the Dead
During the trip Mrs. Wills shool;
eonvulsively. but controlled herself by
sheer viii power. She was able to walk
into the establishment, leaning heavily
sa Chief Miller's arm. The coffin had
been placed ncross corner in the ex-
treme rear. Mrs. Wills was led to the
hier. Those who had come with her
sure she would not collapse. Then they
0aippcd quietly into an adjacent room
and left her alone with her dead.
Newspapermen watched the tense
drama through \ side window. Attired
IN deepest mourning, Mrs. Wills stood
With bowed head looking down upon
the body for the last time. She re.
naAined a moment In this position with
har black edged handkerchief Mt hel
mouth. A single light above. its glow
afhdued by n gray shade. softcned tht
hard lines Of death on the fncc Of tht
man whose life she said she had takcr
b protect herself and the child yet un-
barn, driven by q mother love that
knew but one instinct when the terrible
moment came for her to decide.
Darkness shrouded those who had ac'
esmpanied her. There was no sound
n the room except low moan of suf
fering.
On Her Knees Beside Cofln
No one will ever know the thought,
that flashed through the overwrough,
brain Of the widow, who shortly il tt
become mother. Suddenly Mrs
Wills dropped to her knees. her arm.
Aung ont convulsiveiy, touching thu
cold cheeks Of the dead man. Th,
contact seemed to startle her into full
realisation that she was taking her las
fastened her fingers in the collar of tn,
coat about her husbands form.
A second later Mrs. Wills turned an
pealingly to those who waited. They
were quickly at her side and hurried!
assisted her from the room, wrappet
hsf warmly and helped her to the wait
tnG machine at the curb.
Quickly Chief Miller whisked hel
back to the Jail. where DR.. TOWNSEND
and the nurse took her in charge. Sh,
was on the verge Of collapse when they
got her In these quarters. DR.. Town
sad remained at her side throughou,
DE night.
Mrs. Wills. If her condition permits
win be formally arraigned tomorrow
afternoon. The case will go to tn,
Grand Jury on Tuesday and every ef.
fort will be made to secure n quicl
indictment, probably that of man
slaughter. which will permit of her re
lease under bail that she may return
to console her two little daughters.
Wills came to Atlantic City from
philadelphia in 1914 In the employ o.
Cramp 4 Co.. builders, who were en-
gagged III the erection of the Hote
Traymore. He had been identified with
several big local operations and his las,
Job was the construction Of new home
Cor the shore Moose.
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