Omaha daily bee., 1922-02-10
State Takes Hand
in Investigation
Of Taylor Murder
District Attorney Picking Up
Threads Of Evidence
Letters Of Miss Normand
Have Been Found.

Los Angeles, fep. ~ new anu
comprehensive investigation into the
circumstances surrounding the slay-
ing OF William Desmond Taylor,
noted film director, was under way
here today, directed by the district
attorney.
Yesterday aud today the district
attorney gathered into his hands the
scattered threads OF evidence that
had been drawn out by the police, the
sheriff's Office and independent in
ves,igators. and tonight he was at
tempting to weave them into some
sort OF pattern that would disclose
what transpired just before Taylor
lost his life.
One item gathered from this pros
pective fabric OF fact and deduction
was a packet OF letters written by
Mabel Normsnd. motion picture
actress, and which disappeared from
Taylor's home after his death. These
letters were discovered yesterday,
concealed among Taylor's effects.
Their contents were not disclosed and
Miss Normand. who was in scclusion
today. declined to comment on the
new turn or events.
Manager Questioned.
Witnesses questioned today in tho
investigation, which it was announced
would be complete and would take
other inquiries into consideration only
so far as facts learned by them might
be helpful. included Charles Eyton,
general manager of the Famous
Players-Lasl;y studio here. at which
Taylor was employed as director.
Mr.. Eyton testified at the coroner's
inquest that he was the first to sus-
pcct that Taylor's death had been
caused by other than natural events.
He said he had insisted that the body
be examined for wounds, and it was
his insistence. according to his state
ment at the inquest, that caused the
fatal wound to be discovered.
Mr.. Eyton had conference with
the district attorney, Thomas Lee
Woolwine, and another one in which
w. c. Doran, an assistant district at
torney, as we'll as Mr.. Woolwine
| participated
Others summoned to the district
attorneys Office and questioned IN
cluded Mr.. and Mrs. Douglas Mac
Lean. whose home adjoined that OF
Taylor and who had given statements
at the inquest and to the police
Henry Peavey. Taylor's houseman
who has done little since the shoot.
ing but submit to interrogation about
vtGt he knew Of it. Howard Eel.
lows chauffeur for Taylor, and Harry
Fellows. brother of the chauffeur. and
IN assistant director. were also ques.
toned fully. The district attorney
! declined to disclose the results o.
these interviews.
Report Revolver Found.
Another development today was {
we1l-dehned rumor that some persor
had found revolver, possibly tht
weapon with which Taylor was slain
shortly after the murder became
known. This rumor was brought te
the attention of the district attorney
and the police, both offices disclaim
ing any direct knowledge OF the pur
ported discovery, but both saying
that cognizance was being taken o
the rumor.
While these local development
keep the officials engaged, word came
that the San Diego authorities be
lieved the body OF suicide lying il
the morgue there might be that Q
Edward F. Sands, missing houseman
against whom Taylor swore out war
rant for grand larceny and embezzle
ment and who has been sought b,
officers, eager to learn what he knev
Of the murder. Investigation. how
ever, developed that the dead ma
was not Sands and the San Dieg
investigation closed about as sudden
" as it had started.
1t also was announced that the pub
lie administrator was searching tor
second safe deposit box held by Nj
Taylor. One was found and opened
its contents being negligible. Their
! was no direct evidence that he ha
. another box. but the authorities sal
many men divided their documents /
two or three boxes and it was pos
sible that the search would yiel
something. Inventory of Taylor
estate so far located has disclose
little e1fept some automobiles. pei
sonal effects and a small amount {
cash.