The New York herald. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1920-1924, 1922-02-06
Continued from First Page.

vorsation which she and Taylor had
that night. And she showed how Taylor
had escorted her from the court of the
apartments to her automobile
Il am surprised that any one should
have been interested IN these letters
of mine to Mr.. Taylor said Miss Nor
mand. Il am sure there is nothing In
them OF any interest 10 the general
public.
There Is nothing In them that would
help the police In any way There were
some OF my letters in Mr.. raylor's room,
l would say six or seven. and several
kilograms 1 had sent to him While l
was in New York. The letters, too,
were those sent by me to Mr. Taylor,
when he was in New York or when l
was in New York.
II knew they were in his dresser
drawer because he showed them to me
once when he showed me over the house
Immediately after he was robbed. On
that occasion he happened 10 onen the
top drawer of his dresser. and I saw
the letters. said. Why. you're not
keeping those letters. are you?' and he
made some pleasant remark. saying he
was keeping them"
Details of Taylor's past absorbed
particular attention when II was learned
he had led a dual life, disappearing in
New York, where he was known as
William Cunningham Deane-Tanner,
and leaving his wife and daughter in
ignorance of his whereabouts for many
years
This new situation caused the officers
to declare the avenue had been opened
for many new theories. seriously cloud
ing the case. Blackmail was among
them. the bullet in that case being fired
by an enraged blackmailer, angered at
failure to obtain money
Threat Clew Is Followed.
A report of a threat made on the
night of the murder also was being run
down. This report, made by a BUSH
ness man to the police, was expected to
set the officers on the trail of a man
who is quoted as saying on the night
Taylor was slain within few minutes
after Mabel Normand left the Taylor
home; There will be movie director
show up missing in the morning"
Still searching for Edward Il. Sands.
discharged employee of Taylor, who has
been a fugitive from justice for six
months, Capt. Adams admitted no definite
clews to his whereabouts have been
found. Despite the search for Sands. 1t
is believed his knowledge of the case
the clews evolved from Taylor's mys-
terious life.
Sands Is wanted by the police as a
material witness. Before he is found.
the officers believe several theories of
the crime cannot be eliminated.
Capt Adams said it was not impossi-
BILE that Taylor was killed by burglar.
who seized upon the opportunity pro-
vided when Taylor escorted Miss Nor
mand to her automobile to sneak in the
house. The position of the bullet and
the line of fire indicated shows, Capt.
Adams said. that the assassin probably
was crouching behind the door when
Taylor entered
Another official theory advanced Is
that Taylor saw his attacker, and that
he reached for the chair with which
to defend himself. The position his
body would have been in had this taken
place would have accounted for the d.
rection taken by the bullet. 1t also
would serve to account for the over
turned chair found on his feet when
the body was discovered.
His Salary $4,000 n Week.
Taylor had led a rather secluded life
since his arrival In Los Angeles, and
while he participated in many of the-ee-
cial functions of the film colony he was
in no sense part of the many wild
parties that have become famous across
the country. He was quite student and
spent most of his time at home with
books which were an aid to him In his
work.
His rise in the film world was rapid,
and 1t is probable that he was receiving
salary of approximately $4,000 week
at the time OF his death. although it is
now said that his entire estate will not
be more than 100000.
The fact that his houseman, Henry
Peavey. and his former secretary, Ed
ward F. Sands, are both said to be queer
persons" has led to much speculation
whether Taylor was abnormal himself.
1t Is thought by majority who are in
vestigating the case that this is a phase
which will develop and throw much new
light on the case. Other associates of
the man are known to the police to be
persons of vicious habits.
1t is probable that Taylor began his
career In Dublin and went from there to
New York, and some time later is known
to have lived In Denver. When the gold
rush to the Klondke came he Joined a
party of adventures. His success there
was shortlived, and 1t Is said he turned
up in San Francisco later in bad condl-
ton, both physically and financially. lie
served an enlistment in the Canadian
army. leaving here after he had made a
success in the pictures.
Peavey says Taylor always had a
large variety of liquors in his house, but
that he drank but little. If there were
any drinks served the night of the muir
der the houseman did not know of II.
Taylor was killed with n bullet from a
rs caliber gun and while some gun
smith said the bullet was an old one,
there Is no direct evidence, as neither
the gun or cartridge has been located.
The motive for the murder is very
much of a conjecture. although none OF
the officers in the case believe that rob-
berry had anything to do with 1t.
Played In Alaska.
Deane Taylor, Gene Taylor, Jimmie
Taylor, as he was variously known.
went 20 Dawson City. Alaska, in 1900.
He Is said to have had Sister with
him who played the banjo, and that
they appeared at the various vaudeville
theaters then running In the mining
town. Later Charles Meadows. proprle-
tor of the Standard Theater. employed
him IN his stock company. He soon be-
came the producer and stage director.
None of the old sourdoughs now resi-
dents of Seattle are impressed by so
imposing a name as william Desmond
Taylor. They all remember Taylor. It
would be difficult to find one who lived
In Dawson In 1900 or 1901 who does
re. he