New-York tribune., 1920-06-16

in the sense that he played to ruin
man. he said. "He played with per-
sons who could afford to lose. The
stories of his extensive gambling have
been greatly exaggerated, anyhow
~ have not seen the contents of tho
about his intentions, but I should not
be surprised if another will were found
"a later one. Elwell formerly had his
accounts in my office, but he rarely
came in and l have not seen him for
some time"
His "Free Life" Disclosed
The police were hopeful of getting
an important clew from the effects Of
the slain card wizard and a complete
survey of his house yesterday disclosed
things not heretofore mentioned. They
throw strong light on the peculiar
characteristics of Elwell and the "free
ilfe," as he phrased it, he chose to
The front room on the third floor
was a guest bedroom and was lavishly
furnished in every particular for wom-
en- occupants. 1t had a single bed
bed itself marvel of woodwork.
Near by were dressing stool and
toilet table, with numerous trinkets
dear to a woman's heart A large
painting on a wall at the head of the
bed was said to be an original drawing
OF beautiful woman acquaintance
OF his. She was posed in extremely
flmy attire.
That next to the rear was ElweIls
own bedroom. The bed on the morn
ing OF the murder had not been dis
turDed and the police are still trying
TO account for the time between Ell
Wells arrival home at 3:45 a. m. and the
time his body was found at 8:15 a. m.
II Is not possible that Elwell could
nave been sitting up all this time,
they reason, unless he had a visitor.
On the other hand, it is pointed out.
morning newspaper of Fridays date
was found in an upper chamber and it
IS possible, the police say, that he may
nave been reading this up to the time
the murderer let himself in or was ad-
mltted by Eiwell. A theory was ad-
Vanced that the murderer did not come
originally to kill Elwell, but merely to
argue with him, and that Elwell's going
down stairs to get his mail and his
reading 1T ,carelessly during the argu-
ment may have exasperated the visitor
and caused the fatal shot.
Near Elwell's own bed was a small
dressing table, the drawer and top of
"hlch were Uttered with every device
tor feminine makeup. There were
pli,n-cushions studded with gold and
silver ornamental pins, bottles of per-
tume and toilet waters, boxes of
heavily scented powder, a full mani
cure outfit, gold-tipped, scented cigar
cites, hair pins, hair restorer, brow
sticks and lip sticks, peroxide, vanish
ing. cream, rouge, violet pencils and
numerous other trifes.
While the police are ready to admit
that the fact that Elwell had removed
his toupee just before he was killed
precludes any possibility of a woman
having been in the house at the time,
they are not so certain that Il woman
did not fire the shot. Assistant Dis
trlct Attorney Joyce said he is more
inclined to believe, however, that
man. either the husband or sweet
heart of {, woman, did the deed
In some other quarters it is held
that Elwell may have been killed as a
result of a gambling feud. 1t is known
that he had recently lost money on the
races and had been trying to recoup
his losses. While little can be learned
as to his financial status, it appears
EIwell was near the end of his re-
sources when death came. One person
familiar with his affairs said that it
is puzzle to him how he was able to
maintain his racing stables.
1t is said that Elwell left only about
$4,000 in cash. The police argue that
the absence of the revolver removes all
possibility of the mans having shot
himself. A search of the Elwell home
further disclosed $4,000 worth of
stocks, held by Fagin & Mccormack,