The Washington times., 1922-05-30
PAID $1,000
TO ESCAPE
.CLU TCHES
D F { A n c
Millionaire Slayer Had First
Encounter With Extortion-
lists in 1915.

PITTSBURGH. May 30.-That
Walter S. Ward, wealthy young
ex-Pittsburgher. who has con-
fessed the killing of Clarence
Peters, alleged blackmailer, in
New York, was once IN the grip
of a gang of Pittsburgh black
mailers. who used a young woman
to bait their $4,000 trap. was
revealed today by a former close
friend of Ward in this city.
Escaped Trap.
Ward escaped this trap by paw
ing $1,000, his Pittsburgh friend
added. The damage suit which the
young woman instituted against
him at the behest of Pittsburgh
blackmailers then was noile pressed
This occurred during the incum
bency Of former District Attorney
r. H. jackson, who since has beer
disbarred in Allegheny county.
Details Of the Pittsburgh pioS,
which was Matched and carried OUT
in 1915, as revealed today, disclose
how Pittsburgh blackmailers lured
Ward into their hands and finally
had him in such an embarrassing
position that he was ready to pay
the $4,000 they demanded, unt1
his Pittsburgh friend stepped in ant
fixed things up"
\ The young woman In the case N
the daughter Of former major
league baseball player, and at that
time was q striking brunette.
Ward was secretary of the Broolo
lyn, Federal League baseball team,
which was owned by his father,
George G. Ward, wealthy bakins
magnate and native Pittsburgher.
Lived At Same Hotel.
The young woman made the 40
quaintance Of Ward when the
Brooklyn team visited Pittsburgh on
its first swing around the circuit in
May, 1915. The girl, II is declared,
lived at the same hotel which Ward
patronized while the Brooklyn team
was in this city, and was seen In
his company constantly.
The parties staged by Ward and
his girl friend became the talk Of
Pittsburgh's night life.
The girl was supplied with plenty
OF mohey-supposedly by Ward
and her wardrobe consisted Of the
best outfits that could be purchased
in Pittsburgh. In addition, she had
a high-powered automobile at her
command, and it was no secret
that Ward was her "angel."
The Brooklyn teams next visit to
Pittsburgh started on July i3l,
the stay continuing until August
4. During his stay in Pittsburgh
at this time, Ward and the girl
were frequently together.
Father Discharges Him.
When young Wards father heard
OF his sons conduct in Pittsburgh
he discharged him as secretary Of
the Brooklyn club and ordered him
home. The young man did not re-
main at his Brooklyn home for
long, but returned to Pittsburgh.
During this period, from May to
August, the Pittsburgh gang, It 10
said, got hold Of the girl and laid
the whole scheme out to her, and
she consented to go along in the
holdup of Ward.
When the latter next visited
Pittsburgh the girl told him that II
would cost him $40, 900 to keep her
quiet" Ward at first refused her
demands and the girl and her asso-
ciates took the case to a local
alderman, who is declared to have
been sin the know" This official
ordered Ward held for court on a
serious charge.
Ward then went to his friend
here and told him Of the case. This
friend. who knew the girl and her
associates, had the case fixed up"
by the payment OF 81 900 in cash.
The payment which was handled