The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-02-08
FEDERAL AGENTS
TAKE HAND. IN
MOVIE MYSTERY
Big Interests Trying to Throttle
Murder Probe Charge.
Investigate Return of Mabel
NOrmand's Letters.
MYSTERY man" is FOUND
Chauffeur Declares He Was
Trying to Arouse "-lylOr.
Police Continue Search for
Former Secretary.
Investigate Return Of Mabel
NOrmand's Letters.
MYSTERY man" is FOUND
Chauffeur Declares He Was
Trying to Arouse '-.ylOr.
Police Continue Search for
Former Secretary.

Los Angeles, Feb. 8.-The forces of
the United States government today
Joined with the police in making a
nationwide search for Edward F.
Sands, former secretary valet, who is
wanted in connection with the mys-
terious murder of william Desmond
Taylor, prominent motion picture di-
rector.
The government. according to infor-
nation received in local federal cir
cIes today, joined in the search on or
ders from the war department as
Sands is wanted as a deserter from
the army.
In this connection, Captain of De
tectives David Adams made the fiat
statement today that information IN
his possession positively links Sands
with the Staying and that the police
were concentrating their efforts upon
a search for the former secretary.
1--WE have obtained secret intorma-
ton that We believe virtually solves
the murder" Capt. Adams stated we
are centering our efforts on the loca-
ton of Sands This information has
not been made public, nor will 1t be-
but it is positive in its character.
Out on "Hot Tip"
Detective sergeants hurried from
police headquarters in an automoDlle
during the morning on what was de-
scribed as a new hot tip" in connec-
ton with the Taylor mystery Off
cials declined to comment on the hur~
ried trip. but it was known they con-
sidered it of great importance.
It was understood that some OF the
many detectives at work on the case
have been devOting several days ana
&c of fO
unrevealed secrets In the life OF the
slain director in connection with wom-
en- widely known in the film world.
out of many rumors that came 10
the attention of newspaper men work
ing in Hollywood today was one to
the effect that a prominent film per-
sonage might be interrog gated concern
ing relations with Taylor. It was
limited that this celebrity, whom re-
Dorters were led to believe was man.
might have been jealous of Taylor be
cause of his friendship for some in
divi6ual. or possibly because of a
business deal.
Chauffeur Says Taylor Wept.
A little sidelight on the private life
of william Desmond Taylor, concern
ing his relations with Mabel Normand
film star, was revealed today by
Howard Fellows. chauffeur for the
murdered director
Fellows declared that on New
Years eve while he was driving the
couple home from fashionable hotel
party they had a quarrel and became
somewhat excited. The chauffeur
said:
after Taylor took Miss Normand
home and returned to his apartm ment,
he began weeping. Next day he took
some jewelry TO Miss Normand at her
home
Newspaper men who talked to him
said Henry Peavey. negro valet of the
slain director, confirmed Fellows
story.
Handkerchief Is Clue.
It was said officials of the district
attorr VS. office are taking an active
interest in the investigation today.
This was regarded as indicating an
early grand jury probe Of the case.
together with possibly a direct charge
against Sands by the district attorney.
a soilcd handkerchief, bearing the
initial s." was found near Taylor's
body when it was picked up last
Thursday morning, according to a
statement from detectives today.
Police believe the handkerchief was
dropped by the murderer either be-
fore the fatal shot was fired or dur
ing the assassin's hasty exit from the
house.
\ new mystery fact was thrown into
the case when detectives reported that
the letters written by Mabel Normand
actress after being missing for sew
eral days. Report was made to the
police the day after the directors
body was found that a bundle of let
ters, penned to the murdered man by
the popular star, had mysteriously
disappeared from the Taylor home.
Want NoImand Letters
While Miss Normand protested to
officers that there was nothing of i'm
portance in the missives, the police
were eager to obtain possession of the
missing letters and to solve the mys-
terry of their disappearance from the
home of the murdered man. The ac-
tress stated that she desired them
only because of certain endearing
terms contained in them. which she
feared might be misconstrued in the
light Of developments in the sensa-
tional murder.
At the Normand residence today,
denial was made by representatives
of the actress that the letters had
been returned. The actress was still
reported prostrated following her col
lapse yesterday following the intense
excitement that ensued at the funeral
of the film man.
Officers worked to substantiate the
report that the letters were returned
and added that a thoro probe will be
made to learn who had taken the mis-
sives from Taylor's home.
Claim interests Busy.
While investigators report that GER
tain interests in the motion picture
colony are bringing heavy pressure to
bear in an attempt to throttle thoro
investigation of the case, other fac
uons are assisting the authorities in
IN r.rTv1 , 10