The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1922-03-01
TAYLOR MURDER SOLVED
If WOMAN IS RIGHT
Six Drug Peddlers Caught in Raid on
Los Angeles HOuse-"House-
keepers" Says They Killed -
Movie Man.

terry of the murder of William Des-
mond Taylor, film director "is
solved if the story told by Mrs. John
Rupp in connection with the arrest
here today of six drug peddlers is
correct tonight declared Detective
Sergt. Herman Cline, one of the po-
lice squad assigned to the case.
When Sergt. Cline, head of the po-
/ lice homicide squad, made this state
ment Mrs; Rupp, who told the police
she had "kept house" for the men,
had been rigidly questioned by two
| detectives of the district attorneys
office. Officers said they would check
up every detail of her statement.
Another witness, new in the case,
and whose exact connection with it,
and whose name was not made pub
liz, officially, was taken before Dis
trict attorney Woolwine, to whom
he was said to have told every
| important story" This witness is
called "French. George" by the de-
tectives, who decline further infor-
nation.
"Frenchy Georges" story, how
ever, was believed to relate to the
| arrests Of the six men, who were
accused of having sold drugs and
liquor to motion picture actors and
! actresses and others ir the Holly
wood district.
Inc SIX men in custody were caught
in raid at Mrs. Rupp's home. They
gave their names as William East,
thirty-six; Walter Kirby, twenty
three; John Herkey, twenty-five; Ray
Lynch, twenty-six; George Calvert,
twenty-five, and Harry Amorheim,
twenty-scven. Police were holding
them incommunicado tonight.
To
directly charged two of the men with
the murder of Taylor. The officers
quoted her as saying Kirby and CAL
vert had made threats against Taylor
IN her house, asserting that the drec-
tor had "injurcd their business" She
declared they showed nervousness the
night of February 1, when Taylor was
murdered; were away from her home
for time early that night, and re-
turning, "'stayed up all night"
The police stated Kirby and CAL
vert were no strangers to them.
Shortly before Taylor was slain,
according to the police restatement
of Mrs. Rupp's story, three of the
told her
"Hee double-crossed us; wouldn't
pay for the booze we brought him.
Wen get the 1--. We're going
to kill him."
The name of the director was not
spoken, however, it was stated.
Mrs. Rupp said she dismissed the
threat from her mind until the day
| after the murder. Then, she said,
while she and the two men were
at dinner, she suddenly cried out
to one of them:
lor."
Gle turned perfectly white and
saggcd in his chair" Mrs Rum
was quoted. "Then he sau. Good
God, don't say that again Don't
ever mention that again."
-! never did" Mrs. Rupp was said
to have continued, "but during the
next two weeks, one man would fire.
| quently come running into the house
| and hide in his room. Once he said to
me, The bulls are after me. Help me
Mrs. Rupp was said to have Civ
en- the police the name of an al
legged bootlegger from whom the six
men were reported to have obtained
the liquor they were charged with
having sold. The officers were said
to be searching for this man.
The arrests today revived the
| theory brought forward several times
! and as often said to have been dis
| carded, that Taylor was slain be-
cause of his alleged activities against
narcotic ring. 1t was even declared
| that the officers had practically prov
| cd the director once, engaged in a
| physical encounter with drug ped
dler he caught negotiating with an
| actress friend
| A detective attached to the district
! attorneys Office said officers would
pay another viist to Mabel Normand,
| film actress, who is recovering from
what her physicians announced as a
| severe attack Of influenza, and ner-
vous breakdown.