The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1922-05-23
SEARCH FOR 7 men
DECLARED PRESENT
NIGHT OF Staying

WHITE PLAINS, N. Y. May "a
Search for two men known only as
Ross" and Jack" declared by Walter
IS. Ward of New Rochelle, N. Y, to
have been present when he shot and
killed Clarence Peters of Haverhill,
Mass, near here the night of May Is
was continued by Westchester county
officials today
Ward after confessing he had killed
member of a gang that had black
mailed him for $4,000 and then at
tempted to get $4,000 more went to
New York last night in company with
officers and conducted a search of re-
sorts where he declared the men
wanted might be found.
1t was an unsuccessful quest. Ward
who is the son of the president OF the
Ward Baking company is at liberty
on a bail bond of $4,000.
He was accompanied to New York
by Sheriff George ]. Werner and four
deputies, who were Joined by two New
York city detectives. Using a list
made up by Ward the party went into
cabarets, restaurants and cafes in the
white light district and scrutiniZed ev-
cry man present. When the search
along Broadway and its side streets
failed, Ward, with Sheriff Werner and
the others spent several hours on the
lower East Side, but no men fitting
the descriptions of the two men sought
could be found.
Ross Confidence Man
The sheriff said that Ross was con-
fidence man of the highest calibre,
while Jack the only name the other
of the trio is known by, was more of
the type of a chauffeur. He added
that Ross was the better dresser of
the gang and was about 26 years old.
The basis for the blackmail plot
remains unrevealed as the lawyers
representing Ward decline to make
public any of the bundle of letters
given them by Ward, which he re-
ceived in the six weeks he was being
threatened.
The telephone call wich resulted in
| the meeting by Ward of the men on
| the day of the killing, was said to
| have been the threat by Peters I'VE
! want $4,000 or your life will pay"
! This is the threat in the only let
| ter disclosed Sheriff Werner said
that he had received threatening let
ters with a demand for that sum
| When Elwood e. Rabenold, counsel
for Ward, was asked if there was a
woman in the case he answered.: :
''The threats were aimed at his fam
| lily"
Allen R. Campbell another of the
lawyers was asked of the blackmail
plot involved a woman and answered: !:
81 don't think should answer that
question"
Did it start as reported at a race
track?"
Il think it did,
did it involve Wards war record p
Il can assure. you that it did not,
answered Mr.. Campbell.
/ Mrs. Ward said that she had not
known of the plot for very long and
added: Il am with my husband and
| want to do everything | can for him
have the utmost confidence in him
am sorry that l can not answer fur
ther questions"
Much surprise is displayed in New
Rochelle that Ward waited for almost
a week before surrendering himself
especially as he was known as a strict
disciplinarian in his position as chair
man of the hostilities police commits
, sion. Ward has lived in New Tochelle
since 1911. when he came from Pitts
burgh. He was appointed head of tht
police commission in 1919 and onl.
two weeks ago was reelected at tht
reorganization of the board.
District Attorney Weeks said tha
the case would be submitted to tn.
grand jury the latter part of mex
week.