Omaha daily bee., 1921-08-13
Midwest States
COmbed for Clue
In Kennedy Case
Careers of Mrs. Obenchain
and Burch Investigated to
Find Relations Woth Shot.
gun Victim.

tnat impelled the staying OF John IS
Kennedy, for whose murder Arthur
{. Burch and Mrs. Madelynne Oben-
chain were indicted here yesterday
cngrossed the attention of the dis
trict attorney and sheriff and their
assistants today.
District Attorney Woolwin said
that he believed all the essential ele-
ments of proof in the case were now
on hand but that the establishing OF
a definite motive for the shooting
would strengthen the case ma
terially.
Investigate Careers
To aid in this phase of the case an
inquiry into the former relation OF
Kennedy, Burch, Mrs. Obenehain
and possibly other persons at Evans
ton, ILL.,, and points in the midwest
was authorized today. Investigators
were set to work at Evanston and
elsewhere for the purpose Of delving
into the history of those implicated
in the case, in the belief that bet
ter understanding of their past ca
reers would help in developing the
motive for the shooting.
Mrs. Obenchain was reported weak
and nervous today and was under
the constant care of Jail matron.
Burch maintains his attitude Of
jocularity but his face was deeply
craven with lines that were not
there when he was taken into Gus
tody less than week ago.
To Seek Death Penalty
1t was learned today at tine dis
trict attorneys Office that when the
case comes to trial, the death penalty
will be sought against Burch. No
intimation of the attitude of the dis
trist attorney in regard to the pen
atty of Mrs. Obenchain was given.
In CALIFORNIA, the jury in first
degree murder case may recommend
the death penalty or may recommend
life Imprisonment.
The discovery OF the butt OF a
doubled-barreled shotgun in the Ia"
cific ocean near Santa Monica was
announced today by sheriff's ofhcers
investigating the Staying of Ken
nedy. -., .t.... ...,.......
The butt was found last Saturday
by camper. it was announced. 1t
was lying on the beach alter the
surf had receded.
Metal Parts Rusted.
The can,per. William Wylie, OF
Los Angeles, said he did not learn
Until yesterday a shotgun was being
sought in connection with the Ken
redy Staying. Then, he turned the
butt over to a local newspaper which
had offered a reward for discovery
of the weapon used in the Staying.
The newspaper had sent it to the
sheriff's Office late last night. -'
At the sheritf's Office, it was stat
ed, the butt was from l2-gauge
shotgun. Two l2-gauge cartridges
were found near the Kennedy cot
tage, where the young broker was
found last Friday night with the
back of his head blown off.
The metal parts Of the gun butt
were rusted when turned over to the
sheriff, but. 'Wylic, it was declared
said they we're bright and shiny
when he found the butt. =,
Found Where Expected
The discovery, Wylie said, was
made near a point where the divers
employed by District Attorney
Woolwine had been searching for the
missing weapon. F.
The district attorney selected this
point because the mileage register
of the speedometer of an automobile,
said to have been rented Friday by
Arthur c. Burch indicted for the al
legged murder, showed the car tray
eled just far enough to reach it. r,
The indictments were returned be-
fore Judge Sidney Reeves of the
superior court, who had been re-
quested by the grand jury to remain
at the hall of records to receive a
report after his usual court hours.
Judge Reeves took the bench tew
minutes later and renanded both
prisoners to the county jail, to be
arraigned Monday.
Chicago, Aug. l2.-Ralph R.
Obenchain is speeding to Los An
geles, hoping that he may be OF use
to his former wife,, Madelynne Con-
nor Obenchain, held in connection
with the murder of John B. Kennedy.
The Rev. w. A. Burch Of Evanston
is also enroute to the coast. He IS
going to his son, Arthur, who'is held
with Mrs. Obenchain.
Madelynne divorced Oberchain last
year that she might marry Kennedy,
whom she loved. She brought
against her husband charge of in
fidelity, which she now admits IS un.
true. He did not deny it. He wanted
her to get the divorce, for ne thought
only of her happiness. The stigma
on his name did not matter.
Letters Published.
Kennedy was killed week ago on
the steps of his summer home in
Beverly Glen. Madelynne was with
him. Since then accusation has
linked her name with that OF Burch.
Her love letters to Kennedy have
been published in newspapers all over
the land.
And yet, at her word, Obenchain
dropped everything, packed up as
quickly as he could and caught the
first train that would take him to
her
He had waited for message from
her. He did, not want to rush out
there until he knew he was wanted.
He did not intend to be in the way.
He thought perhaps he might compli-
cate matters, that he might do more
good by staying home.
Yesterday he got the telegram
from her: '....
"Wire me at county jail if you
can come at once. Will be indicted