New-York tribune., 1920-11-24
peirce Murder
Suspects Elude
Trap in Garage
c,ain Mau's Auto Stored
in Wheeling by Two Men
and Woman; Police Noti-
fed, Watch for Return
Nav Have Taken Alarm
ruc;t;ye Promises but Fails
to Reappear; Revenge Is
Supposed Staying Motive

PHILADELPHIA, Nov. 2S.-The big
- roadster in which the murderers
:, Henry T. Pierce, of Fort Washing
-, ESCAPED from the city, was found
.o.right in a garage at Wheeling, W.
9. The motor car had been left there
..- renairs by two men and the "comely
.,o,den who was in the company of
pierce on Saturday night when he was
hst seen alive.
Detectives Immediately departed for
Wheeling, confident of apprehending
..s suspects within twenty-four hours.
The description Of the car, together
xitb the license number, led to the
sositiye identification of the machine
.s that owned by Pierce.
The automobile was stored on Mon
dav night The suspicious Of w. D.
plant. the owner of the garage, were
.,oused by the similarity of the de-
rrjption published in the Philadelphia
newspapers with the appearance of one
Of the men and the woman occupying
.he car. The license plates on it were
bent double to prevent a casual OBJ
server from reading the number of the
license.
The driver Of the car. according to
Plant, left it in the garage with instruc-
lions that Il new battery be placed in
Il, He promised to call for it at 8
o'clock this morning. At the appointed
lime the man called for X, but was in
formed that the garage owner could
rot replace the battery, but would re-
charge 1t.
Garage Owner Notifies Police
The man said that he did not have
time to wait, but would see his wife
hrst The garage owner in the mean
time notified the Wheeling police, but
the man failed to return. The police
are guarding the machine, awaiting
the appearance Of the Philadelphia de-
lectives.
The Wheeling police believe the
murder party took alarm and escaped
IN train. The "co.nely blonde" who
formerly was the sweetheart of a
pugilist now serving a term in the
penitentary for burglary, is known to
Rave visited Peirce's apartment Friday
night.
About 1880 O'Clock Sunday morning
Peirce, III his machine, picked up the
woman and man companion. the trio
proceeded to Peirce's place of business
where be also had his town apartment
and which he had advertised for rent
Had Been Drinking Heavily
There was a sharp quarrel between
Peirce, who had been drinking heavily
and the other man. which ended in
blows. From hts Of a revolver found
near toc body { is believed that Peirce
drew wcaD Don. which was smashed by
the heavy wrench in the hands of the
other man Then the wrench was swung
on Pelrce's head.
The theory Of robbery is discoun-
ienanced ng the .'olce. who believe that
Teyenee was the sole motive In a
Saturday morning newspaper Peirce ad-
yertlsed his apartment for rent He
recently had it furnished. This adver-
usement is said b. the police to be an
important link in tho case.
Pelrce, who was married and had five
children, Lived at Fort Washington. He
was the local manager of several con-
cernS, and WAS prominent lodge mem
Der. When he did not return home
Sund:y ms wife crew worried. Late
the body was found in the apartment
on the third floor. Gas was pouring
from q stove.
Seen With Blonde Woman
Peirce ate Il meager meal at res.
iaurant at twentieth and Market
s'reets shortly before o'clock OF,
saturday night AT that time en-
Iioyecs OF thc restaurant noted that he
.esmcd to be under the influence OF
liquor
Between z and o'clock he was seer
III the company of q blonde woman
hear easoIlne-filling station shor
distance from his Office.
This was the same woman with who
nc mad been on the preceding night
About o'clock he left the woman ant
went 70 restaurant with q man friend
where ne remained for long time. A