Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1921-05-28
Phone Girl Shot to
Death; Slayer Escapes
Continued from Page One

tors, he managed to completely elude MS
pursuers.
As soon as word of the crime was
flashed to police headquarters William
Belshaw. head of the murder squad,
took charge of the case in person. He
assigned Detective Joseph Douglas and
others to a city-wide search for New
halt. From the start the police believed
that il Newhalt is not the man who
made the dramatic escape in the power
house he at least knows who the girl s
murderer is.
Newhalt already has police record,
having served n sentence of one year in
Media for theft of material from Hog
Island. While the Howard family did
not know of this until today. there
was something about him which made
him extremely suspicious to the cx-
perienced police eye of Josephine's
brother Howard.
1t also developed today that. be-
sides window smashing episodes, New
halt was also arrested twice for an
moving Josephine. both times by the
girls brother. He was also discharged
on these counts.
Police were unable to get picture
of Newhalt. but have a good descrip-
ton of him. He was fair complex =
ioned, tall and thin.
weighing 145 pounds. ) feet IL inches
tall, and when last seen was wearing
a blue serge suit brown low shoes,
brown stockings. black striped shirt,
with soft collar and dark blue tie.
and wearing a checkered cap.
They found that he had had a bad
record in the Marine Corps and was
dishonorably discharged. He was en-
ployed as an elevator operator in the
undertaking establishment of Oliver
Pair on Chestnut street and lived at the
Home of his sister at 1896 North Har-
old street
He became acquainted with Miss
Howard about four years ago. according
tn what her parents told the police, and
Immediately became her ardent admrer.
His manner did not impress the girl and
the family took a quick dislike TO him.
At the request of her mother. Josephine
asked him not to call any more. In
stead of doing this, it is said. New
halt only became the more persistent.
Hung Around House Nightly
He hung around the house nightly,
the neghbors say. and often threatened
Josephine's life, if she would not marry
him.
Josephine was Of the nome loving
type. Up to six weeks ago she was EN-
ployed as telephone operator at the
Rittenhouse Club, wnere she was laid
of. due 10 the fact that the club man.
agement decided to have bellboys an
swer the phones Previous to that time
she was an operator for the Bell Tele-
ephone Co. She was a member of the
Cathedral parish and a very regular
attendant. Her mother said that she
had been to Communion every Sunday
since her confirmation.
Following the lead given them by the
girls family, the Detective Bureau
Immediately instituted search for
Newhalt. II was learned that he had
not returned home last niGht and he did
not appear for work at tho usual hour
ct the Bair establishment this morn
ing.
According to the girls brother. New
halt was arrested less than n year ago
4n6 North Eighteenth street, where the
Howard family then lived.
When he was arrested the brother
says, razor was found on him. and
he told the brother that he would kill
his sister IL she did not marry him
He had a hearing before Magistrate
Beaton at the time and was released
despite the pleadings of the girls ageL
mother, on his promise to pay for the
Although James Sullivan, the girl,
escort. Immediately gave himself uT
10 the police, he was not held. am
police believe his straightforward az,
count of the shooting. He had know
Josephine for about year and ha
been very attentive TO her in tha
time. She was considered 70 have beeI
looking very favorably on his suit.
Pathetic Scene In Home
The scene in the little home on NortI
Eighteenth street was n particularly
pathetic one this morning The agcC
mother sobbed uncOntrOllably as sh
talked Of hor daughters death.
''Isn't il n pity" she cried out, tina
the youngest of my girls had 10 be cu
on In the prime of her life. WI!
haven't | q picture Of my Josie?'
Lapsing occasionally into Gaelic
Mrs. Howard. who has only been II
tAfs country from Limerick about eigh
Years. sobbed out the story of he
daughters death rs she knew II.
cit was about ] o'clock when th
bell rang and a man shouted that ther'
were two detectives who wanted TO SCI
mep' she said rocking back and forth
Ia the little kitchen chair. ~ couldn 7
think what IL was. but | went down
One OF them said
( Does Josephine Howard live herel
she does, | told him, and Il. Y
hct bed this ni,iute, ! told him tina
I, GD(Jseia had imii''s, 70 laaya iha lAial