The New York herald. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1920-1924, 1922-02-06
ARREST OF MURDERER
OF FILM DIRECTOR is
LIKELY IN FEW HOURS
Police Net Draws Tighter About Man Said to Have
Been Seen in Vicinity of Taylor's Home the
Night of the Murder-Secrecy Is Thrown
Around New Development.

Special Dispatch to THE New York Herald 4
Los ANGELES, Feb. 5.--An. arrest
within twenty-four hours in connec-
tion with the murder of William Des-
mond Taylor, noted film director,
doomed as q strong possibility to-
night when officers investigating the
mystery admitted that they had
drawn tight net of circumstantial
evidence about man whose auto
mobile is declared to have been in
the vicinity of the Taylor home
about the time of the murder.
This phase of the case is being
handled with the greatest secrecy,
and officers working on 1t left late
ir the day for the home of the sus-
pect. The man, who is known wide
ly, but somewhat unfavorably, in
Hollywood, has been definitely placed
near the scene Of the crime which
rocked motion picture colonies here
ard in the East last Thursday morn
ing with the discovery of the body.
Puzzles which add to the mystery OF
the murder are TIE dark chapters in
Taylor's life. His frequent trips to
the North also add color to many
theories of real or fanc!ed wrongs OF
his acquaintances in his wandering
days which form the background OF
revenge staying.
Mabel Normands missing letters
were sought by the detectives to-day.
Miss Normand. probably the last
friend to see Mr.. Taylor alive, at
tempted Saturday to recover some let
ters written by her to Taylor and
known to lave been in the home.
Housemnn Is Questioned.
Detective Sergeants Cline, Cato,
Cahill, Winn, Wallace and Zeigler
state they have not found these let
ters. Captain Of Detectives Adams
also denies having them. The officers
say they do not know who has them.
Chief Assistant District Attorney
Doran says also that he has seen
nothing of them.
The chocolate colored automobile
seen to leave the vicinity of the Taylor
home has been Identified, 1t was
learned, and eliminated as bearing ON
the case.
Henry Peavey. negro houseman for
Taylor and the man who found the
body. yesterday was I'm conference with
some OF the detectives. He Is declared
to have wanted to leave Los Angeles
to go North. and sought permission to
do so. He Is said to have added little
new information to the case. Peavey
left the Taylor home while Mabel Nor
mand was there and more than Il half
hour before the assassin shot his vic
tim through the back.
Other developments tonight in the
search for the murderer of Taylor were
summarized as follows:
Miss Normand. after testifying at
the inquest, reenacted for the police
the scenes they believe preceded tie
Staying by only few minutes.
House OF widely, although some
what unfavoraby, known man in
Hollywood was placed under surveil-
lance and he was sought for ques-
tioning.
Edward F. Sands, fugitive former
employee of Taylor, still sought, al
though the theory of his direct con-
nection with the crime became some
what weakened.
Anthony (Tony) Moreno. film
celebrity, told of meetings with
Taylor in the last few days of the
latters life.
Detectives started checking dope
pcdlers in Hollywood. following many
tips concerning q new possibility in
tho case.
Former Nife of Taylor. who for-
merly was known as William Cum
uinglam Deanc-Tanncr. told of his
mysterious life.
Daughter. whose very existence
was unknown even to Taylor's close
friends. described her recent "discov-
cry" OF hcr father.
Mary Miles Minter. film star and
intimate friend Of the slain man, was
questioned for more than an hour by
three Officers. They said they OBJ
taincd little helpful information.
Seek Dope Peddlcr.
In regard 10 Ule reported check UP On
dope pedlers the theory is that well
known film actress is an addict. but
was unable 10 procure drugs herself and
that pcdler now sought had endeav-
ored to induce Taylor 10 take the drugs
and hand them TO the actress.
Another story current tonight was
that somebody who knew much OF
Tayior's life and habits in his home
had discovered that a pink silk night
drcs; was missing from the APARTMENT.
Tho police refused TO discuss the night
d, ess or It's bearing on the mystery.
CAPTAIN of Detectives Adams and
Detective Scrgeants Cato and Cahill
las- night questioned Miss Minter con-
cerring her knowledge OF the life OF
Taylor. The officers. after long ses-
sion with Miss Minter. declared they
ha uncovered no important new facts.
Miss Normand made personal visit
TO Taylor's home and asked for her
letters. She went to the top drawer OF
Taylor's dresser to get them. They
were not there.
with the officials seeking these let