South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1922-06-17
Ward, Wealthy Baker, Faces
Prospect of Summer in Jail
Is Told He Must
Wait His Turn for Trial
Pleads Not Guilty.

WHITE PLAINS. n. Y. June 16.
-Arraigned before Supreme Court
Justice Morshauser on an indictment
for the first degree murder Of Cla-
renee Peters, ex-sailor. TO which he
pleaded not guilty. Walter S. Ward,
wealthy bakers son, Friday night
was locked in a common cell of the
Westchester county Jail with admir-
able prospects Of spending the sum-
mer there.
To Wards counsel, who pleaded
for an early trial. Justice Mors-
hauser replied CURLY that Ward
would have to take his turn with other
prisoners awaiting trial among whom
he mentioned was one colored man
who had been waiting trial for sew
eral months and who could get his
day in court ahead OF Ward.
Justice Morshauser said his term
in White Plains ended June 80 and
he was not inclined to stay over TO
try Ward. In the meantime Ward
who accused of a non-bailible Of
Tense. must remain in jail unless he
succeeds in getting the indictment
against him dismissed.
Dist Atty Weeks hopes to begin
building up his case against Ward
fore Justice Morshauser the question
of whether Ward and his relatives
have conspired to defeat the ends
of justice.
Inside Story
The inside story of the blackmail
plot which caused Walter S. Ward
to shoot and Kill Clarence Peters.
alleged member of the gang which
was seeking TO "bleed him white"
has been told justice Morshauser by
Ralph d. Ward his brother, it was
learned Friday.
The original story told by Walter
S. Ward of the killing of Clarence
Peters was lent credence by the
testimony Of his brother it was
learned.
Ward, confessed killer of Peters.
did so 70 end unbearable blackmail
that arose from his follies at the
track, according to the story told
by his brother. Gambling more and
more heavily, the millionaire bakers
son had become involved with and
in debt 10 certain undesirable hang
ers-on at New York race meets.
He was urged 70 bet more and
more, and each time he lost and
went deeper in debt. He was COM
missioner of the New Rochelle pO-
lice and a prominent citizen whose
early record furnished the black
mailers with what they considered
lever to extOrt more money Ward
was easy prey. Then a threat was
made involving exposure of another
member Of the Ward family.
Paid $4,000
Ward had no choice but 10 pay,
his brother said. He paid at one
tine $4,000. il is believed. in a
desperate effort to quiet his perse-
cutOrs.
The blaclmailers. known TO Ward
as Jack" and Ross made Ward 5
life a living hell. according TO his
brother They were at him each
day, with new threats and more ex-
horbitant demands.
They invaded his office at the
Ward baking company and talked
loudly OF affairs at the track. urg-
ing him 10 bet, while he made vain
efforts TO quiet them lest employees
hear them.
Nearly distracted by the persecu-
ton. Ward nevertheless was forced
10 refuse the blackmailers' demands
for $751; 900 He hadn't the money
available.
Then the threats Of Jack" and
Ross" became more violent. They
threatened 10 expose still another
member Of the Ward family they de-
clared they would tell OF Ward :
own early life and or an incident
he wished 20 conceal.
Finally. the night before the xiii
ling OF Peters. the blackmailers
lured Ward 10 a lonely spot near
White Plains according 10 his bro
theirs story. AS he left hurriedly
in his coupe after an angry meeting,
they fred two shots al him. The
next night Ward went armed 10 a
rendezvous. II was on this second
occasion. his brother believes. that
Walter shot Peters in self defense.