The Nenana news., 1922-02-04
TAYLOR MURDER PUZZLES POLICE
 OF ANGEL CITY

LOS ANGELES, Feb. -Th murder Of William D. Taylor, nov ie magnate, who was found dead in his home on Thursday morning, is surrounded by deepest mystery, with clues hardly sufficient even for the development of theories. There have been some interesting developments, however, involving the names of several of filmdom's favorites.
 Mrs. Douglas McClean, wife of movie actor, who lives next door to the Taylor home, informed the police that on the evening Of the murder she heard shot and saw stranger emerge from the Taylor home and depart shortly after Mabel Normand had left the house. This is regarded as giving credence to the police theory that the slayer of Taylor entered the house while Taylor was talking with Miss Nor mand at the curb.
 The police found half a dozen cigarette stubs behind the back door of the Tayisr home, and these have offered key to the mystery, which has deepened steadily with investi- gation. Detectives believe the stubs show that the slayer waited nervous y behind the door on Wednesday night ........
 The police are considering re venge, iealously, hate and unanswer- ed love as motives, and while the clews thus far found point strongly 10 a man as the slayer, the detect ives still believe that is possible Taylor was murdered by a woman.
 The persons known 70 have been in or near the Taylor apartments on Wednesday night include Mabel Normand, Edna PurEiance and Hen y Peavey, the last named being Fay lor's negro valet. ..~.#..= ..:: .....
 Miss Normand .old the police that she called during the evening to re- turn . book she had borrowed, bur denied that there was any affair Of the heart, although she is said to nave admitted that she and Taylor were engaged at one time. Her statement that she remained at the apartment only short time has been corroborated by her chauffeur.
 Miss Purviance, who lives on the other side Of the Taylor apartments, said that she was awakened thurs day by the screams Of Taylor's valet when he found the body, where | lay near a desk, upon which there was 8 cancelled check. The bullet apparently was fired from behind as Taylor was examining the check. The shot passed through his neck. Miss Purvianee says she phoned to Miss Normand imm ediately. "
 Mary Miles Minter and her mother hurried to the Taylor house after the tragedy and Miss Minter burst invo tears when she asked if there was anything she could do.
 Several months ago Taylor told the police that he had discharged his butler for the irregular use of the Taylor checking account, and the police are now making an investiga- ton of the affair
 Taylor had an adventurous career, which included three trips to Alaska during one of which he wTested small fortune from the Klondike. He served with the British army during the war and rose from private 10 captain. He was trained for the engineering profession but turned to the stage when eighteen years old, and left the theater to join the rush 10 the Golden North. On that trip he was attacked by companion who went suddenly mad from isola- ton while in 9 snowbound cabin and with revolver in each hand, at tempted 10 kill Taylor.
 Taylor's real name was William