New-York tribune., 1920-06-16
Three Who Accompanied
Turfman at Cabaret Are
Known to Police, and
May Solve the Mystery
Kentucky Girl Is
Target of Interest
Owner of Pink Kimono
and Lingerie Unknown;
Widow to Contest Will

District Attorney Swami an
nounced last night that as a result
of their latest discoveries the au-
thorities believe they are now on the
trail of the murderer of Joseph
BOVINE Elwell, card expert and turf
man, who was mysteriously shot in
the reception room of his room, at
244 West Seventeen Street, last Fri
day morning.
He said that detectives have been
sent to Lexington, KY, to inquire
about girl whose first name is
Annie, but last name unknown. to
whom Elwell is said to have been
extremely attentive. The District
Attorneys informant asserted that
the father and brother of the girl
had sworn to kill Elwell.
William Barnes, secretary and
valet to Elwell, said the murdered
man had but recently returned from
Kentucky, after spending ten weeks
at Lexington. The District Attor-
ney's informant also declared he
knew that Elwell left Lexington in
great hurry. 1t was learned, too,
that Elwell stayed at the Phoenix
Hotel during his visit to the South
ern city and had been received in
the best of society, spending much of
his time playing whist with society
women.
The latest theory of the police is that
the father or brother of the Lexington
girl come to New York, where he
learned Elwell's address. He is
thought to have waited about the
house Friday morning until the letter
carrier arrived at 7:25 a. m. and rang
the bell. When Elwell came down to
get his mail it is believed the visitor
entered the house and ACCOMPANIED the
whist expert into the reception room.
There he is believed to have taken
seat facing Elwell, about six feet
away. The detectives here theorize
that the man opened discussion with
Elwell over the purpose of his visit
while Elwell laid four letters on the
table near his chair and opened and
began reading fifth Angry words
were probably exchanged, eliminating
in the murder
After a conference lasting past mid
night at the Elwell home between Dis
trict Attorney Swami and Assistant
District Attorney Joyce, who is in d-
rect charge of the case, Mr. Jovce said
the police finally have accounted for
all of Elwell's movements up to the
time he reached home the morning of
the crime. He declared he found the
taxi driver who took Elwell to the
Montmartre, one of the liveliest caba-
rets in the city, after he left the
Lewisohn party in front of the Amster
dam Theater at 1880 a. m.
Met Two Men and Woman
Here, it was declared, he met two
men and a woman, who are known to
the police and the District Attorney.
but whose names are being withheld
until they have been found. Detec-
tives were searching the city for them
all day yesterday. Mr.. Joyce believes
that these three persons can shed
much light on the circumstances sur
rounding the murder.
While it is not known definitely
that Elwell went directly from the
cabaret to his home, he was seen 10
drive up TO his residence in roadster
at 3:45 a. m. By John lsdale, who lives
at 236 West Seventeen street, two
doors from Elwelps residence.
Isdale told the District Attorney that
it was not a hot night and that he was
sitting by the window facing Seventeen
Street when he heard an automobile COM
ing eastward on Seventeen Street, with
Ats cut-out open. He looked out of the
window and saw the car drive UP in
front of Elwell's house.
he then saw man get out, who, he
said, he had no doubt was Elwell, and
saw him wave his hand to man still
IN the car. The car was according TO
lsdale, a two-seateG. black machine, OF
apparently expensive make.
Seek Owner of Kimono
Mr.. Joyce said that every effort is
being made to find the man who
brought Elwell home. 1t was sug-
gested that he may have been one O:
the party who met Elwell at the Mont
martre, at Seventh Avenue and Fiftieth
Street. The head waiter of the cabaret
was questioned yesterday by the police
as to whether a quarrel occurred among
members Of the Elwell party and the
identity of the man who drove the car.
Aside from these developments. Mr.
Joyce said he would like t%find the
owner or wearer of the pink silk
klmono found in Elwell's house. az
i can find who wore this and TO whom
it belonged said Mr. Joyce, Il be-
sieve that person could tell me some
hing about the crime"
1t was learned also that two other
undergarments for women were found
on the dead mans premises. They
were piece of a camsole and an en-
veiope chemise.
The filing of Elwell's will yesterday.
leaving everything to his parents, was
the cause of bitter comment by his
widow, Mrs. Helen Derby Eiwell, from
whom he had been separated Mrs. Ell
well said she would contest the will in
behalf Of her sixteen-year- old son,
Richard. who had been attending a
preparatory school in Massachusetts.
The viii was fled under direction Of
Surrogate Cohalan. who issued ,ho or.
aer 10 open Elwells safety deposit box
The testament contained three clauses.
rcadin~ in part as follows: