The New York herald., 1920-12-28
MONK EASTMAN'S
MURDER HLAD TO
SQUEALNG ON RING
Suspicion Aroused Against
Him by Recent Visits OF
Police Officials.
WOMAN BEING SOUGHT
Killing Followed Fight He
Had With Companions
While Partly Drunk.
WOMAN BEING SOUGHT
AT LEAST SIX WITNESSES
Bootlegging Theory Dropped
-Ex- -Gangster's Recent Rec
ord Showed No Crime.

ord Showed NO CRIME.
Squealing-that objectionable sin of
the underworld-was responsible for the
death of Monk Eastman, according to
the theory advanced last night by the
police. The Monk. 1t was learned, was
interviewed last Thursday by Capt.
Daniel Carey, commanding the detec-
tives in Williamsburg. 1t was Capt.
Carey,s second visit in ten days to the
former gangster's room at SOC briggs
avenue.
That fact of itself, in the eyes of
gangsters, was enough to mark the
Monk for sudden death. but, in addition,
DR.. Carleton Simon, Deputy Comnlis-
sioner in charge of the narcotic sqad,
and Detective Barney Boylan of that
service, have visited Eastman within
the month The police would not deny
that they had secured Information lead
ing to the exposure of an opium ring.
They announced they had dropped the
Bookkeeping theory.
Every move Eastman made Christmas
Day has been traced, 1t was said. He
left williamsburg at IL o'clock in The
evening. At midnight he was in the
Blue Bird rathskeller, at 62 East Four
teenth street 1t was between and 4
o'clock in the morning when he and
some of his companions left the place
and almost Immediately afterward the
moves that eliminated in the killing
were made.
Fight Ends in Murder.
A fight was started. according to in
forma ton obtained by the police and
Assistant District Attorney Hennis.
Where it occurred and who took part in
il are facts known to the investigators,
but they were not revealed last night. 1t
was explained also that the row ended
in the fusilade of shots that killed the
Monk"
At o'clock this morning half dozen
men who are said to have witnessed the
fight were being questioned at the Mer-
Ger street station. While this was being
done, the Monks" stamping grounds
were being searched for woman known
only by her signature. "Lottie." She had
sent Christmas card to Eastman. and
il was found in his pocket. No informa-
ton was obtained from the property
taken from his williamsburg room.
The enc time terror Of the East Side
has been living quietly under his real
name, lSdward Delaney. since his return
enth Division. His landlady. described
Mr. Delaney" yesterday as d perfect
gentleman, who never came home
drunk" He had no visitors. to speak
of except one man. This friend was
about the Monks age and build. but his
hair was grsyer, she said
The Monk had told his landlady, Mrs.
Cowan that he was employed as bar
tender in a saloon near the Williams
burg end of the bridge. Inquiry at that
saloon proved that the former gangster
spent much of his time there playing
cards with friends, but was not In the
saloonkeeper's employ In the Monks
unpretentious room were found a suit Of
clothes and other apparel. but nothing
discriminating.
Monks friend, Charles Fat" Jones
with whom he had been in the automo-
bile accessory business at 233 East
Twentieth street. identified his body at
the Morgue, and said he would try to
get in touch with the slain mans sister
II not he volunteered TO take care Of
the funeral.
II can say he will have a good fu-
neral. too" said Jones. "Tfere win be
a lot of good men there to show their
friendship. He has been straight ever
since he got out of prison. and there
are plenty of people who. believe he
never should have gone there.
He has had opportunities TO make
barrels of money out of the magazines
and newspapers and from the movies,
but he didn't care anything about money
or notoriety. / don't know who could
have shot him, for there was no rem son
for him to have an enemy. He has been
straight for the last ten years. and has
a war record anybody might be proud
OF. personally helped him get his
citizenship restored. and he deserved Il.
You can quote me"
The autopsy showed the Monk had
been shot four times. DR.. Charles Nor
ris. chief medical examiner. reported
to Assistant District Attorney John r..
Hennis that ono bullet had pierced his
heart. causing death. The other wounds
we're superficial. Powder marks on his
overcoat indicated the pistol had been
fired at close range.
1t was shown also that the Monk had
been drinking. He was about "three plus
drunk when he was shot. DR.. Norris
said, meaning three-quarters intoxicated.
Examination OF his stomach showed a
quantity Of good quality grain alcohol.
but further examination will be neces-
sary to determine whether 1t contained
any drugs.
DIR. Norris said he had been informed
Fastman's sister will claim the body
to-day. No claimant appeared last
night.
T.eory About Gambling.