Evening star., 1941-11-24
Purse and Auto
Found Missinq
After Staying
Disorder Indicates
Ward LoveIess Put
Up Stubborn Fight


Up Stubborn Fight
Evidence indicating that robbery
may have been the motive in the
mysterious murder of Ward Love-
less. Washington attorney, found
dead early today at his country
home near Peonian Springs,
Loudoun County, Va, was reported
ciate of the slain man disclosed that
Mr. Loveless' wallet and one of two
cars kept at the estate we're missing
The associate, who has been at
the home with investigators since
shortly after the BODY of the 81
year-old attorney was found in a
small china closet adjoining the
dining room. told reporters Mr.
Loveless often carried as much as
5000 or $500 in his wallet.
The associate, who asked that his
name not be used, said the missing
automobile, a green Ford coupe, is
owned by a daughter of Mr.. Love-
less, Mrs. Albert C. Carr of Edge
wood Arsenal, Md. who was re-
ported en- route to the home this
afternoon.
! Death Method Undetermined.
The car was parked in a three
car garage alongside black Lin
coin. which apparently was un-
! touched, the man said
Mao o,,Cor,, Co,,,t,- ~o,.
oner John A. Gibson was perform
ing an autopsy on the body this aft
ernOOn to determine the exact cause
OF death. Three bullet shells OF
different caliber had been found on
the floor of The breakfast room and
there were signs of terrific Strug-
gle in the house. but the coroner
said he could not determine whether
the slain man had been shot or
beaten to death pending the autopsy.
Although investigators refused to
state whether Mr.. Loveless had been
shot, the business associate said he
bad overheard an undertaker's as
sistant say that several bullet holes
had been found in the body.
Early reports that telephone wires
at the estate had been cut some
time during the night were con-
firmed by the business associate and
by State Trooper E. D. Helm. Officer
Helm said the wires of both the
main telephone on the first floor of
the home and an upstairs extension
had been severed
Used Neighbor'S Telephone.
William Davis. colored employe at
the home who discovered Mr.. Love-
less body about am. today, had
to run to a neiehboring estate. the
home of Claude Honicon. to tele-
phone authorities.
AS far as could be determined. the
last time Mr.. Loveless was seen alive
was about 2:05 pm. yesterday after
| noon. Police said A. B. CSter re-
ported that he and two friends
drove by the Loveless home at that
hour and that Mr.. Loveless walked
out to their car and talked with
them for few minutes. Then they
Grove away.
Coroner Gibson said Mr.. Loveless
had been dead for several hours
when he arrived at the home about
1920 am. He said rigor mortis
already had set in.
Mr.. LOveleSS' feet were sticking
out of the china closet, and a heavy
buffet table had been placed against
the closet door
DR.. j. T. Jackson, a physician
called to the home, told reporters
Mr.. Loveless had been murdered, but
would give no additional details.
Had Luncheon Engagement.
The attorney was seen about 10
am. yesterday by Claude Honicon.
neighbor. who had bought several
farms jointly with Mr.. Loveless in
recent years.
Mr.. Honicon said Mr. Loyeless told
him he Was going into the field to
look at his cattle and then was going
to Washington, where he had
luncheon engagement.
The attorney told him he intended
to return to his Virginia home for
the night, Mr.. Honicon said, al
though Mrs. Loveless was away on
trip to the South.
The greatest evidence of a struggle.
was in the breakfast room, where
silver goblets were knocked on the
floor. Blood was found on the steps
IN the front hall. on the dining room
table, the walls of the hall and the
door of the closet where the body
was found.
A silver bowl dented as though it
may have been used as a weapon,
was found in the front hall. There
was considerable silverware in the
mouse, but police said none appeared
to be missing. A watch was found
on the dining room table.
cigarette stubs found in the house
led police to believe that Mr.. Loveless
had had a visitor whom he knew.
Inc attorney did not smoke, police
said. A few brandy glasses, which
had been used recently, were found
IN the kitchen along with used
dishes.
The body was removed to the
Lloyd Slack funeral home shortly
after the arrival Of DR.. Gibson.
Investigators called in the case
included Deputy Sheriffs John
Chandlin and D. H. Cooley and
Comonwealth's Attorney Charles II.
Harrison of Leesburg.
Four Washington criminal inves-