New-York tribune., 1921-05-17
Police Discard Jealousy
Theory as Motive for
Attempt ON Life of Wis
itor i'm Woman's Home
Don Collins and
Gang Chief Sought
University Avenue Place
Believed to Have Been
Scene of Badger Came

Another theory, suggesting a black
mailing game of startling proportions
was set up by the police yesterday as
a reason for the shooting of John H
Reid on Sunday. Reid was shot in the
home of Mrs. Hazel D. Warner, of 1892
University Avenue, the Bronx, between
10 and II o'clock in the morning. and
now lies in the Fordham Hospital with
four out of five bullets which took
effect still in his body. Although he
was conscious for time yesterday, it
Is not expected that he will recover.
No arrests have yet been made.
From what could be obtained from
George Kuriger, who says he is an
uncle Of Mrs. Warner and who found
Reid after the shooting. and from in
formation gained from other sources
Sunday, it is believed Reid was shot
by a jealous rival. The authorities
are inclined to discredit the jealousy
motive and to describe the affair as a
eliminating incident in "badger
game" which was being worked with
the University Avenue house as q lair.
Ex-Convict Is Sought
Besides Frank Cor Francis) T. Boylan
Lila Wiley and Mrs Warner, ali of
whom disappeared after the shooting
the police are making every effort to
take into custody Don Collins, q man
OF nearly dozen aliases, known as a
blackmailer, confidence man, racetrack
gambler, card sharp and ex-convict.
Mrs. Warner is supposed to have met
hlm when he was using the name of
Arthur Tyler. He is wanted in connec-
tion with the shooting Of Reid Col
lins's arrest is expected to shed CON
siderable light on the mystery Of the
assault on Reid. A third man also is
wanted by the police, and it is his ar
rest, they believe, which will reveal the
exact nature of the game which was
being played at the home of Mrs.
Warner. The police decline to name
the newcomer in the case, who did not
figure in it until yesterday.
Inspector Collins, III charge of the
detective division of the Police Depart
ment, who has assumed charge Of the
investigation, revealed the new devel-
opment yesterday. He said that, in his
opinion, jealousy was not the motive
mysterious third man is arrested the
whole thing will be shown to be linked
with big game in which this man.
said to be the leader Of the gang; Don
Collins, or Tyler, and Mrs. Warner
have been active participants.
Believed ffBadger Game" Victim
While Inspector CoughlIn declined to
characterize the game he referred to
or to explain how it was operated, he
made no denial when the "badger game"
was suggested to him. Lila Wiley, who
is cousin of Mrs. Warner, Inspect tor
Coughlin said, is motion picture
actress. He said her parents are we'll
to-do, and that her father held an i'm
portant position, but would not reveal
their names. The police also, he said,
know of Mrs. Warner. Boylan could
not be definitely identified beyond the
fact that he Is a salesman, and that he
apparently is supplied with plenty of
money. He is said to be a frequenter
of Broadway cabareGs, and his home is
thought to be in ST. Adams, near the
Aqueduct racetrack.
To support their new theory, the
police quote an excerpt from a letter
sent to Mrs. Warner from Tarrytown.
N. Y. This reads: "Don't let May kno,,
we are playing a dangerous game" The
letter is signed George" but he could
not be identified yesterday.
Strong evidence to support the jeal-
ousy theory exists. Reid, according to
all who had seen him and who know
him, is handsome, well-built man Of
thirty. He is described as unusually
attractive to women. Mrs. Warner. who
is between twenty-seven and thirty
years old, is q blonde, plump and al
ways dressed in the very height of
fashion. Don Collins, sought in con-
nection with the shooting, is described
as being of an extremely jealous ma
ture, violent in his anger.
Collins Demolished Furniture
About two months ago. it is said,
Collins went to the house to remon-
strate with Mrs. Warner, charging her
with being faithless. He became angry.
threw furniture against the walls and
out Of the windows, smashing and de
molishing a china closet, chairs, china
and glassware. Signs of damage are
still visible in the dining-room Of the
house. Wallpaper has been ripped off
in several places.
Collins at various times has been
known as Arthur L. David, Sir Robert
David, Lii Arthur, Arthur Tyler, Rob
ert Tyler, Robert A. Tourbillon, Robert
Continued psgo ssYOu)