The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-02-11
MANY SUSPECTS
in MOVIE DEATH
MYSTERY CASE
Chief Objective of Los Angeles
Police to Find Sands.
Mabel NOrmand Cleared OF
Connection With Crime.
STILL ON TRAIL OF SANDS
Suspect at Fresno Turns Out
To Be Hermit.
District Attorney Continues
Questioning Big Movie People.

questioning Big MOVIE EeOpIe'
Fresno. Cal, Feb. 11.-Sheriff W.
7. Jones' on his return today said
man living at an isolated point on the
San Joaquin river, questioned on a
suspicion that he was Edward +.
Sands missing valet-secretary of w.
D. Taylor. murdered Los Angeles
movie director. announced there was
no connection between the two men.
The man questioned proved to be
Harry Sanborn. 81 a hermit.
Los Angeles, Feb IA man who,
the police stated. was believed to be
4 material witness in the William
Desmond Taylor murder case, was
arrested here early today. He was
charged with a felony pending fur
ther investigation of his story, the de-
tails of which, with his name, the po-
lice declined to divulge.
Later. with a search warrant, two
detectives made a hurried trip but
DECLINED to tell their destination.
Miss Normand Cleared.
After a four-hour conference late
last night between Mabel Normand,
screen star, and District Attorney
Thomas Lee WoOlwine, which, Off
cials announced, had shed no light on
the Staying of William Desm 0nd Tay-
lor ten days ago, investigators today
are continuing their tireless probe OF
new {. g vs. Including the recovery late
last night of a bIoodstained cap, which
has been partially identified as the
headgear worn by the man seen leaV-
ing the Taylor home the night of the
murder
The cap, light brown in color, but
made in such manner that it might
have given the appearance of a plaid,
was found Late last night in the pos
session of Walter Thiele, who was
booked on suspicion of burglary
committed the night Taylor was shot.
On the visor of the cap, officers
found a blood stain. The prisoner was
unable to give a satisfactory eXplana-
tion of this coincidence or how the
cap came into his possession In
yestigators today are questioning the
man further in an attempt to ascer-
tan If he might have any knowledge
of circumstances surrounding the MUIR
der of Tay,or.
Have Suspect Under Watch.
It was learned this morning that
District Attorney Woolwine's corps of
investigators have under surveillance
a man whose identity is being kept
strictly sec II, but who is believed to
know more about the case than he
revealed at conferences at the district
attorneys office.
II Is the DE4leI OIL newspaper re-
porters that a prominent motion pic
ture producer may be one of the next
persons summoned to appear for
questioning regarding his knowledge
of Taylor and his associates. Other
widely known film stars also are
scheduled to appear before the investi-
gators.
In the belief that the murdered man
left a will, all banks of Los Angeles
and suburbs today were asked to make
a search of their safety deposit box
records in an attempt to find the miss
ing document. Word has been re-
ceived from the daughter of the slain
man that she has evidence that a will
was left Il was not found in the
safety deposit box which contained
a number of other private papers and
stocks and bonds.
Many Probes are On.
It is said number of private in
vestigators are working on a number
of remote but interesting clews in
connection with the case. The clews
include the possibility that the solu-
ton Of the film directors murder may
be found thru some sordid underworld
channel.
While it is an admitted fact that
Taylor was not addicted to the use of
drugs himself, it is also known that
some of the motion picture colony.
friends of the murdered man, were
addicted. Taylor is said to have at
tended several dope parties" in Hol-
lywood recently for the purpose of
gaining atmosphere"
Several Investigators hold to the
theory that drug traffckers of the
underworld may have had some con-
nection with the murder. All the in
formation these investigators can OBJ
tain Of what are known in the YER
nacular of the police as SNOW parties"
or affairs where cocaine or other mar
cotics are said to have been passed,
will be carefully sifted.
N.Hv Suspect Found.
Whether an arrest made by two
police detectives here last night will
prove to be the first arrest here in
connection with the Tay-or murder
was to be determined by investigation
today. Walter Thiele. %, was taken
into custody shortly before midnight
for carrying a concealed weapon.
During examination of Mabel Nor
mand, by District Attorney Woolwine
four police detectives took into the
been worn by Th;ele at the time of
his arrest indicating a poss BILE con-
nection with the Taylor case
Two detectives were sent out to
search Thieles room They stated
later they believed the possibility that
Thieie may know something of the
murder was remote, but that nothing
would be overlooked in their investi-,
cation.
Many Arc Questioned.
Among the witnesses who were in
terrogated late yesterday in connec-
tfon with the murder, vas a nurse
who declared she saw a mysterious
man wearing cap and muffIer
Mice ~ ar1 rrar-lo-