The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-02-02
is MOVIE MURDER
Los Angeles Picture Director
Shot Down in Home.
lieve Revenge Motive.
STARS NEAR BY HEARD SHOT
Mabel NOrmand and Douglas
MacLain Help Detectives,
Bullet Found in Victims Neck
Showed Murder.
STARS NEAR BY HEARD SHOT

Los Angeles, Feb. 2.-Shot down
while writing at his desk by mysteri-
Gus assassin, William Desmond Tay-
lor, well known motion picture pro-
ducer and director, was found dead
today in his bungalow in the Westlake
district. Death was caused by a bullet
wound in the back just below the left
shoulder, according to police
Taylor, who was so years old and
wealthy, apparently was killed be-
The body was found today by a col
ored servant when he reported for
duty at the house.
First Thought Death Natural.
Police detectives who first reached
the scene reported that death was
from natural causes, but an UNDER
taker found the bullet wound which
caused an internal hem orrhage. Tay-
lor evidently died a few inmates after
being attacked.
Detectives questioned neighbors
who stated they heard what appar-
entity was the report of a revolver
shortly after 9 p. m.
The police imm ediately began
search for Edward F. Sands, former
secretary of Taylor. Robbery was not
the motive for the murder it was an
nounced, as officers found s78 in the
pocket of the slain man as well as
large amount of jewelry in the house.
TaylorS revolver was found in
drawer of the dresser in his bedroom
on the second floor of the pretentious
house 1t had not been discharged,
and none of his personal effects had
been disturbed
The officers reported that they are
confident that revenge was the motive
of the nlVSf eriOuS cIaVer
Neighbors Heard Shot.
Among the witnesses questioned by
the police during the morning were
Mabel Normand, Edna Purviance and
Douglas MacLain, prominent film
stars.
Miss Normand admitted having Wis
tied Taylor's bungalow in the early
evening yesterday to discuss a new
production and that he had escorted
her to her automobile at the curb
shortly before 8 o'clock. Taylor was
to telephone to her later in the eve
ming. Miss Normand said he did not
do so.
Mss Purviance. who @lives in a
house adjoining Taylor's bungalow,
returned home about midnight and
saw a light burning in TayIors study.
Douglas MacLain and his wife, who
live in the same district, said they
heard the shot fired shortly after 9
o'clock. They thought at the time it
might be an automobile exhaust.
They described a strange man whom
they saw in the street.
Taylor had never been married, liv-
ing alone in the bungalow
Robbery Not Object.
Several months ago Taylor informed
the police that he had discharged a
butler for making irregular use of
Taylor's bank checking account, and
the police are conducting an inquiry
along that line for a possible motive
for the Staying.
An actress living in an adjoining
residence informed the police that she
saw a man go into the Taylor apart
ment early today, and shortly after
ward heard a shot. The body was
found by Taylor's valet. Robbery evil
IDENTIFY was not a motive for the slay-
ing, for a purse containing SIS was
found on the desk near the body.
There was no indication of any at
tempt to take articles or papers from
he/room.
Taylor had an adventurous career,
which included three trips to Alaska.
during one of which he wrested a
small fortune from the Klondike. He
served during the war with the British
army having been born in Ireland,
and within a few months rose from
private to captain. He was trained
for the engineering profession but
turned to the stage when 1S years old.