The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1922-05-25
Declares They Are G oing
Through With the Case
Running Down
Every Clue.
POLICE DECLARE THERE
WAS NO SIGN OF FIGHT
Gravel Clinging to Dead Mans
Shoes Lead Them to Be
lieve He Was
Shot in Open.
az rhs AssoeIatad prsssl

WHITE PLAINS. n. r.. May pa
clfnxinR to his silence concerning the
nature OF the blackmail threat which
he asserted had led up to his shooting
OF Clarence Peters, ex-marine, Walter
S. Ward, millionaire bakers son, to-
day resigned as police commissioner
OF New Rochelle.
In the early part of the day the only
word that came from Ward sources
was denial OF the report that he
would resign under fire. But this
afternoon shortly before his attorney
notified the New Rochelle authorities
ahat hts resignation was In the mail
man close 70 the Wards told the army
OF reporters mobilized here that they
might as well 90 home as "the family
has the case sewed UP tighter than
drum
When this was repeated TO District
Attorney Weeks of West Chester coun-
Is. who earlier in the day asserted that
lie had not swallowed hook, line and
einker." the story told by Ward OF hav-
ing fired in self defense, he pounded
the table In front OF him and roared.
"Sewed up, eh2 we'll, let me set you
fellows right. Nobody can deliver us.
we are going through with this thing
running down every possible angle"
Nevertheless the public remained as
ignorant OF the secret hold which PetS
ers and his band of alleged black
mailerS may have had on Ward as on
last Saturday, when the latter sur
rendered a week after Peters had
been found shot to death near the
Kensico reservoir. where Ward claim
ed 20 have motored for tryst and
been forced into a pistol battle.
Mr. Weeks asserted that il Ward
set UP a plea OF sen-defense he would
have tP tell the whole story Of the
5lackmaillng. Asked II he had seen
any or the "blackmailing" letters, in
substantiation Of Wards story, the dis
trict attorney replied that he had seen
two threatening" letters typewriter
and signed &c. r."
In connection with a report that the
coroner's inquest might be postponed
several weeks, Mr.. Weeks said;
ssThe coroner viii hold no inquest
until tn sheriff is through with his
Investigation because I intend to have
All the facts brought out in the open
Mr. Weeks asserted positively that
he knew Of no woman connected with
the case.
His assertions were made after he
had been questioned concerning a wo-
man alleged to have been seen ire.
ouently in the company of Peters and
two other men who might turn Out 10
he Charley Ross and Jack, the
tvvo rnvstertous missing men who were
alleged by Ward to have been present
0N-hen the pistol battle ragged.
Reports here stated that this woman
bas suddenly disappeared from re-
sorts she frequented. and It was under
stood 4 search was being made for
her.
Sew York reports stated that the
,aoung woman. described as a dainty
dresser had often been seen with Pet
ers. shabbiiy attired in her high pric-
ed car. at race tracks and along the
Cav White Way
The only other feminine touch re-
vealed thus far in the case came this
afternoon when It was reported that
there had been found in Peters pock-
et q woman's handkerchief embroider-
ed with pans{es. But this was denied
in other quarters.
There were conflicting reports con-
cerning the discovery or nom n-discovery
~ Peters pistol with which he was
alleged TO have opened fire on Ward.
Mr.. Weeks said Ward would have to
explain wha had become of it. Sheriff
Werner, while not processing to have
the gun, asserted he was satisfied the
weapon and eight missing cartridges
would be Presented at the proper time
before the coroner.
Ward had asserted nine shots had
been exchanged, but only one shell was
reported found. Investigators have
been assigned 10 look for bullet marks
on trees where the shooting was said
10 have occurred, and othera have been
detailed 70 look over Wards car and
see whether IL bore any marks Of
battle.
Sergeant Edward MoGarvey OF the