New-York tribune., 1920-06-29
Bootlegging Scheme by
Dead Man to Recoup
His Depleted Finances
Hinted At by Officials
Partner in Scheme
Believed Slayer
Tried to Borrow From
Friends, Is Report, to
Cover Uncashed Check


fious murder of Joseph Bovine Elwell
took new twist yesterday with fresh
information placed before the District
Attorney.
II the facts as presented to the au
thorities are confirmed the gallery of
aovely ladies who have stopped to
folly fades completely out of the
drama and reveals Elwell as partici-
pant in big bootlegging scheme. His
failure to carry out his end of the
bargain is declared to have ended in
bis murder
The story, as presented to the Dis
tilet Attorney, for the first time gives
rational explanation of Elwell's
dongs and transactions on the days
immediately preceding the murder on
the morning of Friday, June IL.
Bought $1,000 Worth
The tale has it that when Elwell re-
turned from Kentucky last May he was
II financial straits and badly in need
'I ready cash. In an effort to recoup
Dis fortune he decided upon a gigantic
aootlegglng deal, the finishing touches
which were to be put on at Sara
~Ea curing the present racing season.
aeis said 10 have taken several per-
oLs INTO his confidence as partners
Mo after connecting with those in a
ssi.lon to supply the liquor purchased
H,too worth. He hadn't the money to
ay ior 1t at the time, but advanced
.sneck Tor the $4,000, with the stipu-
aI0n tnat those from whom he pur-
saased the liquor hold off cashing it
aa.1 ne was able to meet it.
tas transaction is declared to have
aaea place during the week of his
ssa1a and the liquor is said to have
sssa duIy delivered to place un-
.a9Sh. % Inc extreme nervousness of Ell
ven noticed by Mrs. Marie Larsen, his
s.useseeper, at this time is believed to
ave oeen due to his worriment over
.as question OF how he was going to
soser the obligation. In an effort TO
naxe good he had hastily sold one of
~ pest racers, Pastoral Swain. to
rssa M dentry. his racing trainer, for
N,poV, OF which S400 was deducted for
aIoaey owing to Gentry. He had sold
Is yacht to Jack Rutherfurd, of the
ssaderbllt family, for $4,000, a check
sof which he obtained on the day be-
sers his death.
ms, however, only brought the total
..aoant OF ready money to $4,000. He
sppears then to have called upon sew
;.,. ~ OF MS friends for loans, and it is
...aeVed that the two uncompleted
saone calls between 1:45 and 2 o'clock.
nla TO have issued from the Elweli
.sm1 ior Far Rockaway 1S41, the home
William H. Pendleton, at Cedar
s.Ss, Long Island, on the morning of
- murder were due to the desire of
a - sam whist king to borrow money
ma M. MS former racing partner.
-, "aeh Mrs. Larsen found him dying
,saa M pistol wound in his head at
,s1a' $40 o'clock that Friday morning
ii. s,a. reasoned he couldn't sleep that
sas because Of the financial difficulty
- nag gotten himself into and was
xsliy waiting for the morning mail
!, as nope that it would bring a check
p'oh'ise OF assistance to tide him
asr the crisis. wv ''''l
Dispute About Money
% THIS point the story has il that
u~. ~.a involved in the Illicit liquor deal
a. 70 the house, and is beiieved to
uesn close enough to the turfmah
s,..ie ise mac a key, or been on suffi-
s~;.! iamiiiar terms with him to be
+ rS,.so ana received in the state of
IN which Elwell was found in
= reception room. ''N -
sss.sul sulspute about the money is
ssssnt 70 have followed ,y;th' ~
,,s. ~ insisting that the check be
AZ good at once. Elwell attempted
i, ss,a MN of for time, pointing out
81 .aere might be something in the
- '9t MIN and opened fret the letter
ss.x n's trainer, Gentry, which was
10 his left hand a. the time Of
q = ian and which told Of the good
..s'on Of several Of his horses.
slsitor apparently vas not satia-
~, ne felt he was being double
sa and that he might yet land
49,. 49, me bars as a result Of the deal
s.s no legal recourse TO recover the
i ns became desparate and fired
sosie, into Elweli's head.
al ~ adaresses Of several persona de-
- 70 have been involved In thia
i J, ~as learned, have been in
f a ttS S/1EbTscI ATTORNEY
ssa,nrday While the check Elweil
~ ssssstood to have offered in pay
Nza 'of the liquor stocks was for
~ ne atuf IL said to be worth
& & ~ ~. f,ase. The story has it that the
vi va, deposited in an unidentified
H. sa niee day Of Eiwell's death. and
hss' s'9h after his murder IL was With
~ an effort 10 cover up the en-
ks,''..ees .e Attorney Swami, when asked
.ns new information, declared
~ me me 'he mater Ia being looks
IN ~ authorities are not I,ginv
Me numerous other elewg that
s,:sssnz '"ilowed By his Office and the
49, department. In thia come etion
10 ~ ppfIie the identity Of the per
81 a' taiked With Elweli over the
- Mssfissss on osss ssv.u)
~ w.ieom.
11s5sse q .nssn,l1 given - sra pioyers and era-
: IL. f.s,s