The Washington times., 1922-06-12
Race Track Hanger-on Seized
by PoIice-Cot Note Same
Day Peters Was Killed.
BY Universal Service.


WHITE PLAINS, N. Y, June
12.-New evidence regarded as
Of paramount importance in the
hunt for the real facts behind the
killing Of Clarence Peters, tie
sailor, by Walter 8. Ward, young
millionaire baker, has come IN to
the hands Of the Westchester
county authorities. -.
Hired Touts, Is Claim.
This evidence, q document Indi-
eating that for some time before
Peters was slain Ward had hired
racetrack touts and others TO obtain
information concerning a mys-
terious person whose identity Is un-
known to the officials, last night
caused detectives to start out on u
hot trail.
The question that arises in off.
cial circles now Is: Was Ward OBJ
tanning information which could he
used against the man he slew.
The fresh clue was found through
the detention by the New Rochelle
police of Elwood Heffner, race
track hanger-on. A letter written by
Ward was found in his possession.
The letter was dated May 16 and
written on stationery Of the Ward
Baking Company. 1t was ad-
dressed to Alfred J. Blute, 3 Ray
street, Jamaica, L. l., and had 0een
postmarked at Station x. New York
city, at $50 p. m, May 16.
Ward according to his own story,
killed Clarence Peters at 4 a. m. on
May 16.
The powerful group Of black.
mailers involved in the Ward mys-
terry are making desperate efforts to
obstruct the search for "Bill" Jack
son and Charlie Rogers, the fugitive
witnesses who are hidden svme-
where In the Adirondack, It was de-
clared today.
In Underworld Retreat.
Information has reached the
Westchester authorities that tho
super-blackmail bands have supplied
almost unlimited funds to keep
jackson and Rogers from telling
their stories to the officials. The
latest information from the border
county indicates that the fugitives
are being harbored in an underworld
retreat in Clinton county. This
secret hiding place, according to
Information reaching White Plains,
has been used at various times by
fugitive smugglers and rum.runners.
II Rogers and jackson are not
captured before the May West.
chester grand jury completes it's
investion Of the staying Of Peters
by Ward, they will probably be
brought before another grand Jury.
In case Ward Is indicted for mur.
der in the first degree. as is beins
freely predicted at White Plains,
the testimony Of Rogers and Jack.
son may be used to secure super.
ceding indictment.
25 Witnesses Summoned.
1t was learned today that when
the grand jury reconvenes tomorrow
there will be about twenty-five wit
nesses under subpoena to testify.
The most important testimony IL ex-
pected from Ralph Ward, brother OF
the confessed slayer, who IN an.
pected to tell much Of the alleged
blackmail plot in which his brother
was concerned that led to the kill.
Ing Of Peters. The story of black.
mail told by Ward will either fan
or stand on the testimony Of his
brother.
II Ralph Ward corroberates
walters story in detail, the defense
will score q great victory. He will
be called upon to produce his bank
books and cancelled checks. The au-
thorities are anxious to get these to
ascertain the truth OF the widely
circulated stories that Walter Dor.
rowed large sums Of money from
Ralph 30 meet the demands Of the
biacirmaiiers and made frantic cf.
forts 90 Get further loans on the eve
a ths murder Of Peters.
a.ss .. LunAr. VA.