New Britain herald., 1922-06-02
Arrested As Witness

White Plains, June 2. - Examina-
ton of James J. Cunningham, race
track follower, arrested last night In
connection with the killing of Clar-
ence Peters, under mysterious cir
cum mstances that have involved Wal
ter s. Ward OF New Rochelle was
planned today by Dist. Attorney
Weeks.
Cunningham, after a three hour
conversation with the Westchester
county authorities in New York. was
arrested as material witness He
stated the man wounded by Ward in
the battle following attempted black
mail had been taken to his mothers
home, and that the man told him
about the blackmail plot to force
money from Ward several days before
1t occurred.
Detectives are searching for the
wounded man. whose name, as well
as his probable hiding place was re-
vealed by Cunningham according to
the authorities.
Ward Also Gambler
The arrest of Cunningham revived
stories of plunges made by Ward at
various tracks and his acquaintance
ship with many well known horse
men and gamblers. One story was to
the effect that Ward disappeared
sometime ago and that detectives
quietly sent out to find the missing
man discovered him at race track
near Baltimore.
Details of the, information West
chester authorities were able to force
from Cunningham have been with
held by Mr.. Weeks and the sheriff.
Outside of the brief statement of the
arrest and the fact that Cunningham
had told the wounded mans name,
the only comment by Mr.. Weeks was
that Cunningham, himself, had not
been at the scene of the shooting, ac-
cording to his story. The prisoner,
who is of slight build. has black hair
and a small moustache. He is said
to have worked for Commander j. X.
Ross Canadian horseman, as an in
vestigator of race track frauds and
gambling rings. Commander Ross is
the owner of Sir Barton.
Seek Other Suspects
New York detectives are also
acters of the underworld who have
been seen recently in the White Light
district driving a red automobile. The
police say the men are apparently in
funds although both have been but
recently released after serving prison
terms. Ward described the black
mailers car as red and his general de-
scriptions are said to fit these men.
Dist. Attorney Weeks who now
has three groups Of investigators at
work, expects the Cunningham arrest
to bring a sudden break in the mys-
terry surrounding the death of Peters
The state police have entered into the
chase and agents of a private detec-
tive agency also are active.
The sheriff when asked If the ar
re e-arrest Of Ward on charge OF
murder replied:
Il am not going to arrest Ward
unless ] get an order"
Mr.. Weeks stated that he would
make no further move until the clues
obtained from Cunningham had been
Investigated. He admitted that evil |
dences of a great blackmail ring had
been put before him and that his men
were putting every ounce of eneNy
into tracing possible connections be-
tween Ward and the blackmailers.
Deputy Sheriff Fred Ruscoe and |
Raymond Hill, county fngerprint ex-
pert, planned to visit hospital in
Stamford. Conn. where Cunningham
was reported to have said tho second |
man wounded by Ward WIS taken.
Thcv declined to namc the hospital !
o. discuss the purpose of their visit |
/. WI. indicated that Sheriff Werner |
mIe;is accom- p4ay :Len- 4