The New York herald. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1920-1924, 1920-11-04
REGISTERED TOGETHER
Guests Awakened by Ter
rifle Struggle, but Slayer
Steps Past Them.
PAIR ACTED sUsPICIOUsLY
Plymouth Hotel Employees
Say They Were of Different
Social Spheres.

Leeds Vaughan Waters, son OF the
late Horace Waters, piano manufac-
turer. and himself reputed to be a
millionaire. was found murdered yes
terday in room In the Plymouth
Hotel. 257 West Thirty-eighth street.
MIR. Waters. it was evident to the
police. had been beaten TO death in a
terrific struggle. His assailan. had
struck him repeatedly with a heavy
instrument. crushing his skuD and
breaking the bones Of both jaws and
nose.
The murderer escaped capture by
seconds. The noise of the battle had
been overhead by employees Of the
hotel. An elevator boy and clerk
rushed to the room at the call OF other
patrons. AS they reached the fourth
floor a man who had occupied the
room with Mr.. Waters dashed by
them, ran nimbly down eight flights
OF stairs and disappeared into the
street. Detectives who vera called
Immediately took up the hunt, seek
ing the murderer from a description
given by the clerk and the boy. Late
last night they were forced to report
no progress.
Identification of the body was made
by Benjamin r. Vaughan. cousin.
Mr.. Vaughans name and address were
found on papers In Mr.. Waters's wallet
He said that Mr. Waters was planning
m l.nt. fpr fa
usually spent the winter.
Mr.. Waters came to the city Tuesday
afternoon from the Gramatan Hotel,
Bronxvllc. where ne has been stopping
with his mother. Before leaving Bronx
vile, he said. II wan understood that he
would remain In town TO receive the cleo
ton returns.
Used Fictitious Names.
There Is a gap in the information the
police have gathered concerning his
movements from then on. II is known.
however. that he went to the Plymouth
at O'clock yesterday morning. With
him was another man. MIR. Waters. ac-
cording 20 the report made TO the detec-
tives. registered as -. Talbot, Mllwau-
kec." and tn. man with him signed the
register an James Dunn, Milwaukee" ("
They were sent 10 a room on the eighth
floor.
The clerks thought It nothing unusual
70 see two men appear at that hour OF
the morning following election day.
They supposed they were from out of
town. as their signatures Indicated. and
that they had remained up all night To-
-..ft., ~~a.f.. III. IL Al.
tory.
But few minutes before z o'clock. an
hour after the men had been shown
to their room. the FIRST sounds OF the
hrht between them were heard. There
was a crash and hoarse shout. some
loud language and then another crash.
A mans voice was heard shouting in
ooherently and then there was a moan.
About that time persons In nearby
rooms who had been awakened. began
&c call the managers office.
send help up here at once" one said.
There is fight going on"
Rescuers Como Too Late.
John Carney. the clerk, and the cle-
vstor boy hurried to answer the cali.
1ASL aS Atry ita(itu lIt cIu vi the COr-
ridor farthest from the room to which
~. Talbot" and James Dunn" had
gone. the man known as Dunn" jerked
the door open. slammed II closed behind
him and ran past them 10 the stairs
He took the flight three steps mt a time
end disappeared before he could he
halted.
Dunn" other employees OF the hotel
said. ran east in Thirty-elghth street
TO Sixth avenue.
Upon entering the room. Carney ane
the boy found the place partly wrecked.
Mr.. Waterss body. nude. was In
heap on the floor. Near II was a gold
headed cane. with which tho fatal
blows had been struck.
The police. after examining tho body
declared there had been no attempt
at robbery. On the murdered mans
finger was found particularly valu-
able fraternity ring and i'm the pockets
OF his Jacket were gold cigar case. n
gold cigarette case. gold pencil and
money. Friends who we're summoned
said they believed he wore diamond
ring In addition to the fraternity ring.
This could not be verified, but there was
no diamond ring In evidence In the room.
Pair of Different social strata.
Later Il was reported that tho police
were puzzled by Mr.. Waters friendship
for a man such an Dunn had been
described. Tho clerk that assigned the
room 10 them said tho second man was
plainly not OF the social level In which
Mr.. Waters moved
Detectives from the West Thirty-scv-
efth street station who undertook the
investigation OF the murder questioned
several OF the elevator boys who were
on duty when the two men paid for
their room. One OF the boys, Il was said.
told the detectives he went TO the room
twice before the body was found TO re-
Inonstrate with Dunn" and Mr.. Waters
because OF the argument that had start
cd They did not open tho door.
News of Mr.. Waters death did not
jsaih Ills mother. Mira. Horaee Waters.
ratil tlso o'ciouk In tho afternoon She
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