New-York tribune., 1921-04-25
Pal Arrested
In Killing of
J Won Picker
James Donovant, Formerly
Employed With Victim in
Hotel, Is Taken Into Gus
tody at Atlantic City
Two Women Are Crilled
Bail Is Denied to Pris-
oner Held After Death
Of German Noblcman
,spee,a, Dispatch to The Tribune

ATLANTIC CITY, n. j.. April "a
James Donovant. twenty-eight years
old. formerly an employee of the st.
Charles Hotel, was arrested, here late
this afternoon in connection with the
murder of Count Heinrich Won Picker
scion of wealthy German family,
whose lifeiess body was found ten
days ago on the outskirts of the city.
The arrest followed the all-night and
all-day grlling of two women and two
men by Prosecutor +. c. Gaskill of
Atlantic County, who now is in per-
Senal charge of the case. Each person
was examined separately by detectives
in different rooms and then followed
q comparison of notes. 1t is known
that Donovant was very friendly with
one of the women questioned.
Donovant worked fer several years
at the St Charles, where Count Won
liekler ;.lso was employed under the
~ Henry Buehler. with
Is real identity during
the t,.cHty-siN years in this country.
DonoNaNt was friend of the dead
man and is known to have accompanied
him on the occasion of tours of the
nortsidc resorts. Donovant is a South
eYner.
Prisoner Given Third Degree"
Further than to admit that Donovant
was taken into custody in connection
With the murder. Prosecutor Gaskill
would say nothing. 1t is known that
Donovant was put through the third
degree" by county officials in his cell
in the city Jail, but the prosecutor re-
fused to say whether he had thrown
any light on the crime. No definite
charge has been lodged against him.
He is held, however, without bail.
Donovant left the St. Charles Hotel
about five weeks ago. 1t is believed he
was acquainted with the fact that Won
Picker carried large sums G. money
1t was no secret at the hotel, as he
was referred to as the man who always
could change big bills. With the ar
rest 1t is limited other developments
may be expected at apy time.
The mystery was given new angle
tonight on the information that Won
Picker accepted mail at the hotel and
it was always returned without being
claimed. Most of his letters were sent
10 another address. Detectives believe
this fact important in connection with
clews tending to show that he had
enemies abroad and wished to conceal
his whereabouts
Victim Brooded When Alone
George F. Maisch came forward to-
day and told detectives that friends
repeatedly remarked on the fact that
Buehler. as he knew HIM, constantly
seemed brooding when alone. He ap-
peared to be in deep thought when by
himself, and his attention could not be
attracted when IN such moods unless
one spoke loudly or practically shouted
Maisch worked with Buehler when he
nrst came to this country, at the Glen
Summit Hotel, Glen Summit, Pa.
Won Pickler was found dead in a
swamp north of Atlantic City Thurs
day, April 13. The motive for the
crime was first believed. to have been
robbery, as the dead mans pockets
had been rifled. Won Pickler had been
employed for some years as clerk
at the st. Charles Hotel, but among
\ the hotel employees he was known as
man of private means. He dressed
more sumptuously than his income as
have received large sums of money
was known to have received $4,000 re-
Gently.
Detectives from the Office of Prose
cutor Gaskill learned that Won Pickler,
who also had been known as Buhler and
Won Buehler, was nephew of Countess
Won Buelow, of Bavaria, probably a
second cousin of former Kaiser VIII
helm and related to many prominent
Bavarian families. Further investga-
ton developed information that Won
Pickler had been an attache of the Ger
man Secret Service twenty years ago
but no proof was obtained of any re-
cent connection, although it was known
hat he frequently received letters from
countess Won Buelow.
Cap Only CIew Found
The only immediate clew obtained
by ]. P. Wilson. chief Of county de-
tectives, was a gray pepper and salt
cap found near the Dody. The cap bore
Il Philadelphia mark, and detectives
went to that city hoping to run down
ITS cwner, but without result
Belief that Won Picker had been
kllled as t. Jesuit of political intrigue
was fostered py the ietters from his
aunt, Countess Won Buelow. which were
OF an intimate nature, and revealed the
lead mans former social and political
associations.
The first definite cews obtained bv
the police came through a source that
has not been revealed. The informa-
uon obtained brought two men and
woman INTO the case. The arrest yes
terday is development OF this recent
~ obtained information.