The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1922-02-15
6 TAKEN
AF TER GUN
BATTL.E|:
Mabel Norman Is Reported
Today to be Seriously
III at Her EOne
By ELLIS IL MARTIN
IsTAFF CORRESPONDENT !. n SERVICE

STAFF CORRESPONDENT Z. n. SERfiCEl
Los ANGELES. Cal, Eeb 16.-Wtl-
the arrest early today CT gang %
eight alleged biacllhanders OFFER key
TO the solution O. the mysterious muir
der two weeks ago Of william Des-
rnond Taylor. Famous dlm director
Authorities sought an answer 10 this
question through 8 gruling Of the
eight prisoners. who were arrested
after a gun battle in which ninth
member Of the gang was wounded bur
escaped. The gang is alleged to have
5lackmailed prominent Los Angeles
business men in the past few months
out OF moro than e hundred thousand
dollars.
1nvestiraeo-s SAID chat $4,000 had
been extorted from one citizen within
the past few weeks and when the ar
rests were made last night T. was
through a plant. the gang having es-
pectad TO secure $4,000 from the head
Of : large corporation here
Police were close upon the trail oe
The ninth membe of the gang, thought
70 be the leader.
The eight men arrested we're al fer
81 gneTs. They gave the names Of John
March. Emil Cutie, Nike hzasich,
August Belich. Frank sergo, Henry
5uzich. Jack Ilaudor and Harry
Akulza~
meanwhile TIE ponce. sherin'a osace
and District Attorney Woolwine pro
ceeded in their efforts TO solve the
Taylor mystery.
Today two important matters we're
. be gone into In an effort 10 get
accurate information concerning the
financial status OF Taylor. District At
toruey Woolwine planned TO question
Mrs :. N. Berger. income tar expert,
Who advised the director regarding his
tax return. on the afternoon before he
was slaiu she also talked to him over
the telephone less than an hour be-
fore the fatal shot Is believed 70 have
been Aired. Taylor was apparently en-
gagged IN the task OF nlIng out the
tax blank when killed.
A re-check today on The report that
Taylor withdrew s2,500 from 4 bank
the day before his death and re-de- |
posted il the afternoon before the
murder convinced police that il Vas
erroneous. They were unable 10 find
any record OF tne reported Withdrawal. |
Tho second point under investiga- |
ton today was the story OF William
Davis, chauffeur Cor Mabel Normand, |
1EdIV4S 81 1EA- o-<@Ar VIZ F4S+%1--
lor shortly before MS murder. Davis
vas to be questioned further, although
officers declined 70 indicate along
what lines.
Rewards for Information leading to
the arrest and conviction OF tie slayer
aggregated s45G0 today.
District Attorney Woolwine gave
slight credence today 10 a published !
report that ''bootlegger" had heard
q shot ard saw q woman leave The
Taylor house He said the -'oootlegge-''
had failed 20 keep two appointments
TO tell his story and then later sent
word that he had no personal knowI- /
edge OF the mater. but thought he
could produce a man who did wool !
wine said that the alleged witness has !
i 3t been produced.
Mabel Normand was reported today
10 be seriously III. The cough which !
developed following her nervous col
lapse IS causing her friends anxiety.
l. was started.
Miss Normand refused to discuss
further her letters 70 Taylor which
she had announced were returned
District Attorney Woolwine stated
he still holds the letter and will do so
until the close OF the investigation,
"a Enough he found nothing In them
e throw light On the case.