New-York tribune., 1920-06-21
Created Scene at Palm
Beach Last May, and
Returned to Discover
"Nliss Wilson, a Rival
Called on Victim
Week of Staying
Horseman Was at Home
and Alive al 2:3O On
Morning of the Crime,
Authorities Are Told

The authorities have established
definitely that Joseph Bovine Elwell
was alive in his home, at 244 West
Seyentieth Street, at 2:30 o'clock on
the morning Of his mysterious mur-
der.
Assistant District Attorney Doo-
ling declared yesterday that a per
son has been found within the last
twenty-four hours who was in touch
with Elwell at that time. Mr.. Doc
Ing. however, refused to indicate the
sex Of this person or whether Elwell
was seen Or spoken to over the tele-
phone. This is declared to be the
last moment in Elwell's movements
preceding his death about which
there is absolutely no doubt.
Little could be gained from the po-
lice or the District Attorneys Office.
however, on just what bearing this
Of the mystery. AS a matter of fact,
Information from other sources seemed
to Indicate that the authorities have
icr the last six days suspected a
woman known to have been in love
18th Elwell and who. they believe.
equally sent the bullet into his head
trough jealousy of another woman.
Police Smoke Screen
A detective who has been working
on the case from the beginning said
hat the reports of clews leading to
kentucky and other states have been
little less than smoke screens thrown
out by the police to divert attention
from the person really suspected and
50 throw her off her guard by giving
hsr false sense of security. The
suspect is said to have come to New
lork with Elwell recently from Palm
Beach.
She is believed to be the same hand
iome woman who. ElweIl's chauffeur
'ays, created a scene at the re ort
iome time in May when Elwell tried
% persuade her to leave him on the
ground that her husband was becom-
ing aware of their intimacy Upon
1si arrival here she is thought to have
discovered Elwell's attentions to the
Mysterious Miss Wilson," who is the
owner Of the sllken night robe, boudoir
cap and silk slippers found in Elwell's
touse and which Mrs Marie Larsen
me card wizards housekeeper. hid in
me cellar in an effort to shield her.
Miss Wilson's real name is known
70 the authorities. She is the "short,
dark girl whom Edwin Rhodes, Ell
Wells chauffeur, says he drove around
Slsn Elwe.l frequently in the latter's
car.
Arrest Delayed
The suspect was referred to by the
effective as the woman in gray" and
aer arrest, he said. was being delayed
n order to give the investigators an
opportunity TO tighten the chain of
evidence around her.
me identity Of woman dressed in
gay who appeared at Elwell's house
lew days before his murder is known
'he District Attorney. Mrs. Lar
s.n says she came to the Seventieth
...eet mouse on the Tuesday before tho
s~! friday and was entertained at
'ahcneon by Elwell. The woman. ac
.oIaing 70 Mrs. Larsen, arrived at
.Voh and left the house in black
~ ..n white taxicab about 2:3O p. m. Ell
.T. she said, was particularly happy
nhg the time she was there. She
- a.ured IN gray jersey suit with
as skirt.
sseob WagataT, black and wnite
~' chauffeur, says that Mrs. Larsen
s:a;..' De mistaken about the day that
~. ~ woman was there. The records Of
-. ta*icao company show, he says,
s1a.na ne took such d woman from the
H nome on Monday about the
e "rs Larsen indicates, driving
- 80 Madison Avenue address. In
~. .lon showed that there vas no
4. woman al that address.
~, !. the belief Of the police nov
4 we murderer gained admittance
~ houae PROBABLY with a key While
s.9 was absent. secreted herself
..,,. h's return and then waited pa
s,.y lor the most favorable time to
e me fatai shot.
cigarette Butt Found
Ia, - - assumed, on the other hand,
-. me police are not quite 80 sure
...-s tnis suspect perpetrated the
ss -. and are loath 10 max. an ar.
-. On the evidence 20 far available
3 .pressnce Of the butt Of cigarette
.s. ."e manteiplcce OF the reception
IN IN IN which the turfnan met his
IN mas led many Of the investica
DeiieVe that the murderer was
I. ~sa. 1t developed yesterday tha,
s,s,. "oacco in this ciga rette is Of the
,e,snIay .sIsy Virginia variety and not
/. ~ % that in cigarettes belonging
I, ,'seh found in his bedroom.
s... 10 pointed out that the nantel-
IVA: - was just to the right Of chair
q, ''i'e u the chair in which Elwell
ah''fng when killed and that the
s:sr s:as,er may have placed !. there
;.s,4 o.. ne had made UP his mind to
~ hlweil. An effort in being made
T. ts niger prints on this butt.
"a, ss also established that Elwel
4. ..s IN the reception room during
~. .'.y morning hours, az the lights
u oat when Mrs Larsen reached
r..'oss st about s:2s a. m.
revelation that ElwelI wss last
"eated With "a. 2:10 O'Clock on
,..-4. fc>rsiasss pass tour
1T ynusp,