Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1922-02-09

TO TAYLOR ARE
REPORTED FOUND
Dispatch Today Says Notes
From Mabel Nor1nand in
Officials Hands.

william KOcgel and James Mar.
tin. and who committed suicide
here last Saturday night or Sum
day, Is Edward F. Sands. sought
In connection with the murder of
William Desmond Taylor, was
expressed today by Coroner S. L.
Kelly.
Los Angeles, Feb. 9.-The district
attorneys Office today sought in Holly
wood all the information possible to
obtain from noted actresses, produc-
ers. directors and others in the motion
picture world to solve the mystery Of
the staying last week of William Des-
mond Taylor. noted director.
District Attorney Thomas Lee Wool
wine turned the case of Mrs. NADIA
murder. over to his chief deputy and
devoted his attention to the movie
colony murder. Complex angles of
acts that occurred since the murder
which investigators say give strong in
dications of connection with the
murder itself were placed under ex-
haustive scrutiny.
Letters Found. %
They include recovery Of a packet
of letters. including some written by
Mabel Normand. actress, and last per-
son known to have been with Taylor
prior to his death. This packet was
found late yesterday at Taylor's house
In boot in a closet on the floor above
that in which the murder was COM
n1itted. According to Mabel Normand.
Taylor, kept these ietters;,i In . drawer
Of his desk on4tha lover floor. ,.,...,
=--''s e. ~ sfiazf u IIa1hsowed.
It was announced At the district
attorney 8 office that ! these letters
would not be made rpisblic at this
time.
The centralized investigation will
be carried on as follows:
Questioning Of several wealthy and
influential producers, one of whom
has been questioned before.
Questioning of number Of film
directors. two Of whom have been rex-
amfned by police. ss:
Questioning Of at least four motion
picture actresses, in an effort to de-
velop further information concerning
the theory Of woman being motive
for the staying.
Questioning of two men, not con-
nected with motion pictures. along
lines Of Jealousy" as motive in the
case.
Close examination Of former en-
ployes of the slain director in order to
reveal intimacies of the past that
came under their observation.
=. To Examine Many.
Among those who will figure in the
investigation are Mabel Norn1and.
Mary Miles Minter, Neva Gerber and
Claire Windsor motion picture &C
tresses. the first three of whom have
been reported parties to love affairs
with Taylor, Henry Peavey, negro
houseman, who found the body; How
ard Fellows, former chauffeur of
Taylor; Charles Eyton. manager of
the Famous Players-Lasky studios in
which Taylor was employed: Mrs.
Douglas MacLean. wife of a motion
picture actor, neighbor Of Taylor;
who saw a stranger leaving the Taylor
doorway after hearing a shot there
on the night Of the murder. and host
of others concerning whom bits of
information have come to investi-
gators.
Feared misunderstanding.
Miss Norman, who once searched
the Taylor apartments for her letters
and is said to be ill As result OF the
collapse at the Taylor funeral Tues
day, has been quoted as saying her
only desire to regain possession OF
the letters was founded on a fear that
some Of the phrases in them would be
misunderstood. She said she felt q
strong friendship Tor the director Dut
there had been no serious love affair
between them.
A second handkerchief found its
way into the investigation when about
the same time the detectives said they
found the letters in q boot In q closet
in the Taylor apartments, Henry Peav-
ey. Taylor's negro houseman, as sud
denly found a handkerchief bearing
the initials IN. M. NJ"
A handkerchief previously report
ed found near the body shortly after
the murder was discovered, but since
said to be missing. was alleged to have
borne the letter ''s.' It is regarded
as improbable that complaint charg-
ing murder win be issued against any
person, in connection with this case
until after the whole affair has been
presented tor the county grand jury
which has, not yet been impaneled fol
1922 a s,
Meantime. although the sheriff's
deputies profess to scout the theory
that Edward F. Sands, former butler.
secretary for Taylor. could throw any
light on the case. the police detectives
remain firm In their announced BELIEF
the mystery will not be solved unit
he had been found.