The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1929-06-10
HER SIJTTOR
|5DEAl
BEDSIDE
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bore his initials. His friends re-,
ported that he carried it around
with him and that on several oc'
casions he had talked of possible
suicide "as a way out"
Mrs. Chalaire discovered the
tragedy. She had been given 9
pass key to the apartment by Miss
Lawrence. She said she had called
2 last wednesday, but had been met
by the actor, who displayed q hos
tile attitude.
Bennison appeared respondent
over the closing Of a vaudeville
sketch in which he and Miss Law
renee were teamed. The act didn't
click.
Tells Of Threat
Mrs. Chalaire declared that at thai
time Bennison turned to Miss Law
I. renee and said;
"If you leave me it will be the
finish for the pair Of u.s."
Mrs. Oh ,laire does not believe in
the suicide pact theory.
"B anison killed her because she
was through with him." she said.
"She wanted to get rid Of him.
Margaret had for him the affection
she mi. feel for q worshipful,
stray dog-no more"
Their was an added grotesque
!, element In the tragedy. Bennison,
who is bald, had selected his fin
es- tc..pee to adjust before he COM
mitted the double killing.
Last Saturday, Mrs. Chalaire
again visited the apartment.
Margaret doesn't want to see
you any more" Bennison said, ac'
cording to Mrs. Chalaire.
She felt something was wrong,
and unable to get the matter out OF
her mind, she returned about noon
yesterday. When there was no an
swer to ringing the bell, she let her.
self in with the pass key, MIS-.
Chalaire said.
Call Unanswered
"Hello, Margaret, darling" she
called. But there was no answer.
She looked into the bedroom. The
body of Miss Lawrence was clothed
in a pink chemise. She was lying
in bed with her arms folded. Ben
nison, fully dressed, was sprawleo
in a kneeling position on the floor.
Detectives found the revolver be-
eide Miss Lawrence on the bed as
If it had fallen from the hand Of
Bennison standing over the actress
after he shot her.
DIR. Thomas A. Gonzales, Of the
medical examiners office, said
there were powder burns on the
clothing Of both. which indicated
the shots had been discharged at
close range.
Because Miss Lawrence appeared
In such perfect repose, DR.. Con-
zales suggested the possibility she
had been shot as she slept. He
later said that there was no fur
Their evidence to show that the
actress had been killed in her sleep
and expressed the opinion that the
sunset" note had nothing to do
with the shooting.
Margaret Lawrence was born in
Trenton, N. J. She was 80. She
began her stage career in Philadel-
phia as a member of the Orpheum
Stock Company.
after making somewhat of a name
York success was in "Over Night
Her last stage play was in "Pos-
session" from which she suddenly
dropped out and was suspended by
the Actors Equity Association after
an investigation.
Had Been Married Twice
The coincidence had been twice
married. Her first husband was
.orson D. Mum, prominent attorney
and society man. There were two
children, both girls, now IA and IL.
The actress obtained a divorce In
1922.
Two years later, she married Wal.
lace Eddinger, the original Little
Lord Fauntleroy," In Los Angeles.
She filed suit for divorce In 1928,
but Eddinger died before the case
was heard.
Miss Lawrence's mother and sister
We're expected from Germantown,
Philadelphia, to claim the body
some time today.
Louis Bennison was born on a
ranch in Northern California As
years ago. He capitalized his cowboy
training in his stage and screen
roles. He appeared with Mrs.
Leslie Carter in the road produc.
ton Of THE Heart Of Maryland"
and was leading man at the Alcazar
Theater, San Francisco, and later
leading man in stock companies in
Salt Lake City and Oakland.
His first Broadway success was
in Johnny Get Your Gun" He
appeared with Miss Lawrence In
THE Heaven Tappers."
The wife Of the dead actor |
telephoned the Lambs Club from
San Francisco today to confirm |
news of the tragedy. Bennison,s |
brother, Andrew, was reported en-
route to New York from Holly.
wood.
Three Women Are Hurt