The New York herald., 1921-08-08
COLLEGE MAN HELD
IN AMBUSH MURDER
Friend of Mrs. Obenchain,
Broker Kennedy's Fiancee,
Is Seized on Train.
FLED AFTER TRAGEDY
Mysterious Phone Calls by
Woman and Other Points
Are Cited.
STRANGE CIRCUMSTANCES
Suspect Absent From Hotel at
Time Of Shooting at Los
Angeles Cottage.
STRANGE CIRCUMSTANCES

Los ANGELES, Aug. THE return to
this city tomorrow of Arthur {.
Burch, Northwestern University grad
uate, friend of Mrs. Donna Connor
Obenchain and who was arrested in
Las Vegas, New, on suspicion OF hav-
ing murdered C. Belton Kennedy,
youthful Los Angeles broker, will prob
ably clear up all phases of the tragedy's
mystery, the Sheriff's officials stated
to-day.
When arrested by the Las Vegas
Sheriff, who took him from Trans
continental Limited. Burch admitted his
identity. waived extradition, expressed
his Willingness to return to Los An
geles in the custody of Deputy Sheriff
Nolan, but refused to make any state
tions with Mrs. Obenchain, his vigil of
Kennedys offices for two weeks, and
likewise refused to explain his strange
actions during the last two weeks prior
to the Staying Of Mr.. Kennedy.
Some Points Against Burch.
Deputy Sheriffs in charge of the in
vestigation said the arrest Of Burch
was based upon these facts:
On July "a Burch went to a small hotel
in Broadway here and secured a front
room partly facing the office occupied
room directly opposite Kennedy's office
and offered bonus for it. He spent all
his time In his room, hotel employees
said, constantly watching Kennedys
office.
Burch was visited several times by a
young woman who he said was his
cousin.
Friday evening Burch left the hotel
early, after receiving a telephone call
from a woman. He carried long par
eel, wrapped in newspapers. which Of
fcers will attempt to prove was the
shotgun used. He returned at midnight.
The medical and other evidence indicates
that Kennedy was shot not later than II
o'clock
Early yesterday ne checked out Of the
hotel without making known his plans.
When the officers had developed facts
sufficient in their belief to justify the
detention OF Burch they learned he had
purchased ticket for Evanston and
left at 10 40. Authorities at Las Vegas,
New, were notified to make the arrest.
Photograph Identified.
At garage in South Spring street
Burch was identified by photograph as
the man who had rented an automobile
for a week at that place, using the
name OF M. c. Obenchain.' Burch also
was identified by the photograph as the
man who occupied rooms at the hotel
directly opposte the building which
contained Kennedys offices.
Search for motive in the case has
apparently been rewarded but the au-
thorties say Il cannot be announced
until more substantiation has been es-
tablished. They decline to intimate its
nature.
No trace of the weapon has been
found. although two shells from a shot
gun believed TO have been used by the
murderer have been found.
Mrs. Obenchain Is still being de-
tained as a material witness in the
matron's ward at the county JAIL but
refuses to make statements to anybody.
Although Mrs. Obbenchain's mothe,
and sister lived at Pasadena, they had
not known of her presence here until
yesterday.
Kennedy's father said tonight that
the son had not had the keys to the
Beverly Glen cottage where he was shot
for more than two years and did not
have them Friday night. He insisted
that Mrs. Obenchain had been urging
young Kennedy to marry and that the
situation had caused his son to be
greatly worried.
The inquest announced to be held
over Kennedy's body still remained in
definite as to time. awaiting the return
of Burch from Las Vegas.