Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-01-02
SEEK DEGENERATE
IN MODELS DEATH
Police Say Depraved Man
Killed Grace Roberts for
Resisting Attack
ROUNDUP IN TENDERLO1N
Theory That Wealthy Club
Member Committed Crime
Abandoned by Detectives

degenerate. probably a habitue Of the
Tenderlorn. killed Mrs. Grace Roberts in
tbe wilton apartment house at Fifteenth
and roplar streets according to Captain Of
Detectives Tate.
This announcement was made today after
. conference Of captain Tate and all the de-
tectvcs wortng ON the case at which all
,bo mass of evidence collected was sifted
and carefully weighed.
Captain Tatc said he was convinced that
Tho murder was committed by a low type Of
man. but robbery was not the motive. He
said the murderer attempted to abuse Mrs.
Roberts and killed her IN a frenzy or temper
when she tried to defend herself 1t was
IptImatcd that the man probably was in
fetuatcd with her
Announcement also was made that a
rouud-up iu the Tcnderloiu would start at
once in following out the new clues upon
which the police are working. This measure
was decided upon after a conference be-
tween Captain Tate and Charlie" Lee for
ner head of the vice squad now in charge
of the plain clothes men in the Second
Division.
The police said also they believed the
wounds on Mrs Roberts face and head
IMPORTANT DEVELOPMENTS
Many other startling developments in
the case were revealed by detectives of
the murder SQUAD today. The most inn
portant of these were;
First. The police are convinced after fol-
lowing today's clues that wealthy cubman
from out Of the city did not comnitt the
deed
Second \ further examination revealed
the fact that Mrs. Roberts was beaten ana
kicked but that death was due to stranguIa.
tinn Her front teeth were knocked out,
but she was not killed with the natiron as
1T first supposed
Third The negro maid employed by Mrs
Roberts who had been sought for three days
by the police has been found. She was put
Through a "third-dcgree' examination at
headquarters today.
Fourth \ further search of the dead
womans apartment revealed nearly one
dozen mems collars, all sized II =. which Is
q smaller size than that Of the bood-stained
collar found after the murder, This would
Indicate the police say that possibly
man lived in the apartment
FAILS TO IDENTIFY SHIRT
The maid is EIearnor Gary, of Si3 North
Opal street She was brought to head
quarters by Detectives Callahan and Ma
honey Of the murder squad She was ques-
toned for more than one hour ana SHOWN
a satche full of articles found in the
apartment. She failed to identity either
the blQodstained shirt or collar
The maid told the detectives and Cap
tain Tate that she had worked for Mrs.
Roberts until a short time ago. she was
employed by her for more than one month
and was the only negro maid Mrs. Roberts
ever had, she said.
The examination at the morgue showed
not only that Mrs Roberts's front teeth
had been knocked out but also that she had
been kicked and beaten on the shns. legs
and body.
Important steps toward solution Of the
murder have been made by the police in the
last twenty-four hours. Not only has the
driver of the taXicab which carried the muir
derer to the apartment house, at Fifteenth
and Poplar streets. where the young model
was killed, been found but a prosperous
looking business man, who may figure in the
case, has been Erilled by detectives.
The name of this man is being kept Sc
cret by the police lie was found through
letters found in the womans apartments
lie was coseted- with Captain of Detectives
Tate for several hours and was allowed to
depart after he had been scrutinized by
girl friend Of the murdered woman, by the
negro ianitor of the apartment house, and
several taXicab drivers.
CHAUFFEUR WAITED HOURS
Ine cnaNneur or the taNltdn was tlwOOd
Powell 22i North Ramsay street Powell
waited for several hours outside the Wilton
on the night of the murder after depositinE
his passenger there he lost his time and
nearly $50 for service,
Detectives have learned that one of the
woman's many admirers had threatened
TO kill her on several occasions lie also
is said to be the one who gave her the large
diamond ring which was the only important
piece Of jewery missing from her apart
ment after the murder.
This man also is said by the police to
have showered gifts on the woman and
helped her financially. Then she Tilted him,
detectives say, and one of the grievances
ne had was that the woman refused to re-
turn his ring. The police say he inherited
N5O,OOO from his father, who was brewer
In a town in this state.
The. taxi driver described his passenger,
VINO Is now suspect in the crime. as
about thirty-two years old about five feet
eight inches tall and of medium build. lie
said the man was of dark complexion and
we'll dressed, wearing heavy overcoAt.