The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1920-06-15
GAMBLING DR.
WOMEN CAUSE
Of THIS CRIME
POLICE FLUCJUATE
BETWEEN THEORIES
Staying of Ellwell, whist
Wizard" Most Puzzllng
of Murders

NEW YORK. June l4.-Jealousy over
n woman or vengeance for heavy losses
sustained at cards. which. II either
furnished the motive for the murder
here last Friday Of Joseph EllweH
wealthy turfman and whist wizard
The police tonight were fluctuating
between the theories in their efforts 10
solve a crime which they admitted was
the most battling they had encountered
in years.
society Woman Involved.
Clues point 10 the women theory. ac-
cording to the majority OF the detec-
claimed this theory was strengthened
today when ii was learned that Marie
Larson. Ellwelrs housekeeper had
found In the bedroom OF his handsome
silk enlargement. This garment IL
reported to belong TO New YORK so
cie,y woman. whose name is being
withheld pending examination,
Conviction that the husband OF this
woman. an ex-army man. killed the
detectives. The size of the fatal bullet
and the fact that II had q steel lscket
pSin, e The .s sset was as Used sSsy ssa
A rs is too largo a weapon for popular
civilian use. they explained. and tho
steel jacket indicated that the bullet
was fred from an automatic.
The othor Theory.
On the other hand. the police were
reluctant to discard the theory that a
rambler broken at whist by an inter-
national authority on tho game. may
have done the shooting. They sought 10
a gambler had Threatened to kill Eli
we'll and in continuing today examina-
tion OF society women. sporting men
and prominent figures In New iork
financial district where EilWeIl otNu
MED brokers' office. devoted most or
their questions TO big play" in which
he had engaged.
some Witnesses described to the po-
lice games in which the sky literary
was the limit: games in whlch E,.%Sl. II
resources of his own--against the sun
greater resources OF f1nAnciers with an
International reputation. w,
ON the other hand, stories OF Ell
wells killings-oncc estimated DS MS
wife. from whom he was separated. as
high as $4,000 one eVening-were con-
tradicted by Wilbur {. Nhitehcad. as
sociutcd with the banking hrm or l.. NJ
iWhitehcad an intimate friend OF ELL
wells who himself IS considered an au
thority on auction bridge. spent nuSh
,f the day at the district attorney OF
fee. He described the dead man as al.
enthusiastic loser rather than dig
winner. ,,hor,,, ord
at the same time loser? he was aSk','
"Certainly,' Mr.. W nltenCai IcpiI III
thai often happens. It's just the same
in other things-the best lawyers OFTEN
make the worst witnesses when on the
stand themselves. ,,,, n,,
Mr. Whitehead said he "regrettrd ms
inability TO throw any light on the case
He has not seen Ellwell for some time.
Meanwhile preparations were helhs
made for the funeral tomorrow AT
FRidycwood. y. J. Richard Ellwell. Is
year-old son OF the murdered man. ar
rived hero today for the service from
Andoyer Academy where hc Is STU
dent. He said he was unable 10 giVe
any information rs TO what mad nv i,
his fathers relations with women. az
he had not seen him since he was nv"
years old.
I: Joseph s. Ellwell. father or the caro-
expert. today obtained per,nisSior from
the surrogate's court to open safe de.
postt vault. which. he said. contained
his sons will He was authorized :"
open this vault only in the presence
OF a Representative from the stat comp
troller's office.
today that she sought nothing for her
self from her husbands estate. nut ina
n tho will did not prov!d" FOR their
son. she would take hand in the pro-
The safe deposit vault was opcned
late today and what purports, to be ELL
wells last will was found. This docu-
mcnt was said to leave all his real es-
tnte aud personal property TO his mother
and father.