New-York tribune., 1920-06-16

turned from rubber convention at
Atlantic City, where he had gone on
the morning of the murder. He lives
at 22 East Sixty-second Street and has
an Office in the Equitable Building,
where he is engaged in the rubber
business. He was questioned until
nearly 4 o'clock yesterday morning.
His story, according to District At
torney Joyce, is as follows:
He was at the Ritz last Thursday
night, about the same time as the
dressed in black who he said was
from Minnesota, but whose name
he did not recall This woman,
he says, has gone back to Minneapolis.
He said he saw the Lewis Ohm party and
bowed to Elwell and the others. He
did not know, he declared, that it was
a celebration of the handing down of
the final DEGREES in his divorce, say
ing that he didn't know then that the
decree had been awarded.
He departed at 80 and took his
companion to her hotel, drove his car
20 the garage and went, home. He
arose at 8 a. m. on Friday, he said, and
packed his grip to go to the rubber con-
NentlO0 at Atl2ntlc City.
First News of Murder
Won Schlegell found his car out Of
order, he said, and borrowed the auto
of man named Edison. At the last
minute he found his car had been re-
paired and he used it on his trip to the
shore. At Morgan. N. j., his car broke
down, he says, and he put 1t in garage
there and took the train to Red Bank,
reaching Atlantic City about 80 Fri
day night.
He read of the tragedy at breakfast
the next morning, he declared, attended
the convention, went to Morgan for his
car and drove back to New York, arriv-
ing late Monday night.
According to Mr. Joyce, he said he
never had Quarrelled with Elwell and
had only the kindiest feelings for his
former wife. He said he was glad she
got a decree and took most of the
blame for the divorce proceedings
upon himself, saying that he had been
a bachelor for so long time that he
could not get over his bachelor habits.
Mr. and Mrs. Won Schlegell were
married about five years ago and sepa-
rated a year ago. Mrs. Won Schlegell
assumed her maiden name when she
obtained her divorce. She and Elwel
had been seen frequently together and
it was rumored that they were engaged
to be married. Many of Elwell's
friends thought Elwell had been d.
vorced from his wife, and was not
merely living apart, as has been dis
closed
Charles Van Fleck, millionaire
friend of Elwells, visited the dead
mans home yesterday and offered to
give the police any assistance within
his power. He said he would devote
much OF his wealth to tracking down
the murderer.
Concerning the report that Elwell
had made eovertures to his wife for a
rcconciliat ton, Mrs Elwell said it was
untrue. She declared, however. that
a month ago Elwell had written her
lstter suggesting that they finally
sever all relations. He proposed to
settle lump sum on her. He added
that he would telephone and they
might then fix time for meeting. But
he went South and did not call.
81 replied" said Mrs. Elwell, chat
would be willing to go to some Western
state to procure & divorce, and that his
suggestions about an amicable settle
ment were quite satisfactory to me-"
Mrs. Elwell added that she was
charmed and pleased" with the att-
tude of Elwell's parents, Mr. and Mrs.
Joseph S. Elwell, at the funeral.
II was shown all the Difference that
I could expect" she said.
The son, Richard, will not return to
Andover Academy this year, because
only few days of school remain. He
will stay at home with his mother,
whose chief interest now will be an
effort to see him provided for out of
his fathers estate. The boy went to
Andover because his father had gone
there. but he attended the preparatory
school for only year, Mrs. Elwell
said.
She could not sketch Elwell's life be-
fore they meteor trace his friends and
associates since, she declared, because
her married life with him had to do
almost entirely with the card table and
interests of sport. She could not saw
whether he had any religious convic-
tlons or what his philosophy of life
might have been.
w Attorney W: Gibbs whaley. Of 27
Wl,!lsm Street, representing Mrs. Ell
we'll in her announced intention to cor
test the will of her husband because
1t leaves nothing to her or her SON
SAID also that he "took no stock in a
report that Elwell recently had tried
TO make up with his wife. They have
been separated for four years and Md
not men in that time.
i think 1t more likely that Elweu
vas considering divorce PROCEEDINGS
q although certainly he had no erounds
Tor them, IS perhaps Mrs. Elwell had
mere was prospect that Mrs. Elwell
might ask more alimony, because of the
inlgher cost of living She has been
wing very quietly and humbly on the