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Taylorology Issue 90
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* T A Y L O R O L O G Y *
* A Continuing Exploration of the Life and Death of William Desmond Taylor *
* *
* Issue 90 -- June 2000 Editor: Bruce Long bruce@asu.edu *
* TAYLOROLOGY may be freely distributed *
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CONTENTS OF THIS ISSUE:
Taylor the Actor: Vitagraph Film Plots
Don Osborn
The First Fictionalization of the Taylor Murder
Injury and Illness in 1914 Hollywood
"Perfect Crimes? Nickell/Taylor" by Ray Long
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What is TAYLOROLOGY?
TAYLOROLOGY is a newsletter focusing on the life and death of William Desmond
Taylor, a top Paramount film director in early Hollywood who was shot to
death on February 1, 1922. His unsolved murder was one of Hollywood's major
scandals. This newsletter will deal with: (a) The facts of Taylor's life;
(b) The facts and rumors of Taylor's murder; (c) The impact of the Taylor
murder on Hollywood and the nation; (d) Taylor's associates and the Hollywood
silent film industry in which Taylor worked. Primary emphasis will be given
toward reprinting, referencing and analyzing source material, and sifting it
for accuracy.
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The April 27, 2000 issue of the Springfield ILLINOIS TIMES had a feature
article "Queen of the Cliffhangers," on the life and career of Neva Gerber,
including her involvement with William Desmond Taylor. (Thanks to Cheryl
Thomas for bring the article to our attention.)
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Taylor the Actor: Vitagraph Film Plots
The following are plot summaries of most of William Desmond Taylor's films
made for Vitagraph in 1913-14, as originally published in VITAGRAPH LIFE
PORTRAYALS.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
The Secret of the Bulb
[Taylor's role: "Jack, her Son"]
Disapproving of her son's affection for Miss Martin, the nurse, Mrs.
Richards loses no opportunity to tell her son, Jack, what she thinks of it.
Miss Martin receives a letter from her brother, asking for money to get him
out of a scrape. She puts the letter in a book she is reading. Not long
afterwards, Mrs. Martin misses a ring which her little daughter Nellie has
mischieviously taken and lost. The ring accidentally slips from her finger
while she is digging her hand in the dirt, of a flower pot. Mrs. Richards,
while looking for the ring, knocks the book which Miss Martin was reading off
the table and finds the letter from the nurse's brother. She puts two and
two together and comes to the conclusion that Miss Martin took the ring to
raise funds for her brother. She calls the girl and dismisses her on the
spot without even giving her a chance to defend herself. Miss Martin goes
back to nursing at the big hospital.
Later, when the bulb which was placed in the flower-pot in which little
Nellie was digging, sends out its shoots, it carries the hidden ring to the
surface, and when Mrs. Richards goes through the conservatory on a tour of
inspection she discovers it. Nellie happens to run by at the time and from
her guilty look it is easily seen that she is responsible for the ring being
in the pot. Mrs. Richards is very sorry now for what she has done and she
tells her son. He upbraids her for her injustice and tells her he will not
speak to her again until Miss Martin has been found and exonerated. He goes
to a detective agency to start a search for the girl and while there is
wounded by the accidental discharge of a revolver.
He is taken to the hospital. His mother comes to see him but he will
not speak to her. His mother leaves him and while on her way out meets Miss
Martin. She finally prevails upon her to go in to see Jack. A happy reunion
follows in which the two lovers are reunited and a mother is forgiven
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
The Brute
[Taylor's role: "The Stranger, Man from Mary's Home Town"]
Because he is a drunkard, Black Barton is despised by his friends and
hated by his family. He hates them in turn because they do not understand
that he fights against drink until nearly insane. Ted, his son, loves him
but fears him and shrinks when he is near. The father loves his son and
wants to be good to him but is filled with brutal rage when the boy shrinks
from him.
Barton goes to a saloon and drinks all day. A man whom Barton's wife
had known in her girlhood days comes to see her. She is excited and pleased
to see him. The children like him and he is much taken with them.
A neighbor on the way to the saloon sees the wife and her friend, and when he
reaches the saloon he tells Black Barton, who at once starts home with the
intent to kill the stranger. He comes to the home and looks in the window.
He sees his wife laughing happily with the man, and the children playing. He
enters the house and the look of misery comes back to the wife's face and the
children cower in fear. Barton realizes that without him his family has a
chance of happiness. He turns abruptly and goes from the house. His son
follows and tries to call him back but to no purpose. Arriving at the summit
of a great precipice, he stands a moment with his face turned towards the
heavens then plunges over the cliff and goes bounding down the rocky side to
his death, hundreds of feet below. His body is found later by a party of
prospectors. They realize as they look that "The Brute" had some redeeming
trait in his nature after all.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
The Love of Tokiwa
[Taylor's role: "Richard Davis"; Margaret Gibson's role: Tokiwa]
When Yoshisada speaks to cruel Kajiwara, the wealthy Japanese fisherman,
for the hand of his daughter Tokiwa, he is not graciously received. This
does not bring tears to the wondrous, almond-shaped eyes of Tokiwa; she does
not like Yoshisada. Neither is she fond of her father, who beats her and
makes her work very hard. She has a friend in Anna Lang, who has a
missionary school in the village, and in Richard Davis, who comes to the town
to deal with Kajiwara concerning the village catch. Davis loves Anna; they
are engaged to be married. They decide that they will take the little
Jap [sic] girl away with them to the city. Tokiwa has fallen in love with
Davis and mistakes his kindness for love. He tells her that he will take her
away to a place where she will be very happy. His words are overheard by
Yoshisada, who swears that it will never happen.
Yoshisada tells Tokiwa's father of the American's words and together
they plan a hurried wedding. The girl is literally sold to Yoshisada, that
her services may not go to someone other than her father. Poor Tokiwa is in
despair when she learns of the plans for her future.
A telegram comes to Anna, saying that the American, who has been away,
is coming back. Tokiwa borrows the telegram, having learned now how to read
at the mission school. Her father sees the message. He tells Yoshisada, who
vows that the American shall not reach the village alive. Tokiwa sends up a
white dove which Davis had given her, with a prayer to save him. Yoshisada
waylays Davis, and as he is passing in his car on a road hundreds of feet
below the cliff, he rolls a huge boulder down upon him and believes he has
killed him. Yoshisada loses his life at this place later, by falling over
the cliff.
Tokiwa dressed all in white and with wreaths of flowers about her,
enters her boat and goes out alone in the sunset of the sea to find the
heaven of the Americans. Later, when Anna and Davis and the villagers come
to the beach to find her, they see an upturned boat drifting out on the
silent waves.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
How God Came to Sonny Boy
[Taylor's role: "Rober Vibrat, A Poor Artist"]
Struggling to earn a living, Roger Vibrat, an artist, receives an order
to paint an enlargement of a portrait, the money to be paid on delivery of
the picture. He has no canvas the required size and no money to buy one. He
tries in vain to get credit; no one will lend money to a poor artist.
It is the day before Christmas. Sonny Boy, his little child, while
showing pictures in a book to his mother, who is ill in bed, comes across a
Sunday School card with the text: "I will not leave you comfortless. I will
come to you." His mother explains to him the meaning of the text. When his
father returns home, downcast, Sonny shows him the card and pointing to the
words with his little finger, tells him that they are true. Roger braces up.
He goes out and pawns his overcoat. He buys an old canvas on which to paint
the picture. While cleaning the canvas, he discovers the signature of a
famous artist on it. Wild with excitement, he cleans the canvas and shows it
to a dealer, who gives him one thousand dollars for it.
Roger buys food, toys and flowers for his little family; and when he
returns home with his arms laden down with gifts, Sonny, wild with joy, runs
up to him and says, "I knew God would come."
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Tainted Money
[Taylor's role: "Jack Forsythe"]
Greed prevents John Bennett, a wealthy financier, from giving any
thought to the misery he causes among the poor people who are affected by his
stock manipulations, with wheat, which raises the price of bread beyond the
reach of the masses. His beautiful daughter, Constance, shares his delight
in his financial success. By accident, she learns that her father's gain is
the ruin of an old chum of hers, Jack Forsythe. She begins to see the harm
that has been wrought. A settlement worker, David Spencer, realizes that
Bennett is responsible for the pitiable condition of the people, having
closed down his factory rather than accede to the workers' demand for more
pay. David enters the Bennett home and forces Bennett to accompany him to
the homes of the people who are suffering. Constance, his daughter, prevails
upon him to be lenient with Jack Forsythe, getting there with the good
tidings just in time to learn that Jack's mother has succumbed from the shock
of her son's ruin. Bennett slowly begins to realize that his idea is wrong;
that he really is to blame for the suffering of others.
While walking to his works one morning, Bennett is set up by the mob and
has to be rescued by David. He now pledges himself to help alleviate the
suffering he has caused. Its latest form is an epidemic of typhoid. Unknown
to the people, and using David as his lieutenant, he succeeds with the help
of his daughter in relieving much of the suffering. When, six weeks later,
the suffering is over, the people come and demand to meet their benefactor.
When Bennett steps out on his veranda, they rail and shout at him angrily,
until David explains that it is he who has helped them. Bennett then
announces the engagement of David and his daughter, who have fall in in love
during their work together in the slums, and states that he resigns his place
to the young man, whom he considers the most worthy successor he could
possibly choose. The crowd cheers him to the echo.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
The Master of the Mine
[Taylor's role: "Arthur Berkow"]
Having lost his wealth, James Arnold, an aged aristocrat, applies to
Philip Berkow, a wealthy mine owner, of the middle class socially, for a
loan. Berkow proposes that they make a matrimonial alliance between Arnold's
daughter Eugenie and Berkow's son Arthur, one having the wealth and the other
the social prestige. Anxious to maintain her own social standing, Eugenie
reluctantly agrees, while Arthur, who loves the girl, also consents.
The miners are on the point of an uprising in protest against certain
conditions at the mine. They hold up the bridal party, but are dispersed by
Hartmann, who is against violence. The wedding guests gather for the
banquet, the elder Berkow lifts his glass to drink to the health of the
bride, and falls dead of heart failure.
A delegation of miners, headed by Hartmann, call upon Arthur and insist
upon their demands. Arthur defies them. Meanwhile, Eugenie's father has
received an unexpected legacy and persuades Eugenie to leave her husband.
She goes to his office and sees the situation between the husband and the
angry miners, which brings to her her first realization of real respect for
Arthur's manliness. She tells him of her intention of leaving him. He
listens to her calmly and tells her she can go.
The miners plan to blow up the mine. They place the powder and are
about to return when part of the tunnel caves in. Arthur rushes to the mine
and goes down the shaft to rescue the men. He saves them all, but he is
entrapped. Eugenie pleads for them to rescue her husband; all refuse. She
starts down alone. Hartmann springs into the bucket with her. They find
Arthur and bring him safely up, amid the cheers of the crowd. The explosion
comes, as Eugenie and Arthur stand apart, and, looking into each other's
eyes, realize that their love is mutual.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Millions for Defence
[Taylor's role: "Bob"]
Young, pretty and flirtatious, "Billie" is spoiled by too much
attention. She refuses Arthur when he proposes, and later boasts to her girl
friends she can make any man propose. Arthur's chum, Bob Clinton, is a
millionaire, and, according to a newspaper article, a confirmed bachelor.
The girls see this, and "Billie" immediately determines to make Bob propose.
She sends Bob her picture and a declaration of war, reading, "I have decided
to marry you!" Angry and worried, he replies, "Millions for defence, but not
one cent for trubute." He then orders the butler, who is smitten with her
picture, not to admit "Billie," should she call.
Billie goes to see Bob and talking sweetly to the butler, walks right by
him into Bob's presence. He is greatly surprised and becomes rather
frightened. Rushing outside, he calls up a detective agency and and manager
sends a score or more plain clothes men for his protection. "Billie" says,
"Shame, calling detectives!" and goes out promising to call again. On her
next visit she is unable to get in the house. She intercepts a telegram to
Bob from his mother, gets and idea, and again visits Bob, disguised as his
mother. She gets in all right and Bob is horrified when he discovers the
deception. He calls up Arthur, requesting him to come at once, to take
Billie away and marry her. Arthur arrives, adopts a butler's disguise and on
"Billie's" next call, stops her and tries to kiss her. She slaps his face
and runs out, but comes back later. After a chase, Bob has just succeeded in
locking her in a side room, when his mother drops in. After many exciting
and anxious moments, Bob decides to have it over with, and going into the
room, proposes to "Billie," who turns him down. As they come out, Billie's
father, who has learned of the incident, enters. In order to explain the
situation, "Billie" and Bob pretend to be engaged. Their parents are
surprised, but offer congratulations and depart. Finding they really love
each other, Bob, after a genuine proposal of marriage, tenderly clasps her in
his arms.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
The Kiss
[Taylor's role: "George, Society Man"; Margaret Gibson's role: "Alice,
A Shop Girl"]
Contented and happy, Alice, a little shop girl, smiles with satisfaction
as she looks at her little clay bank containing her savings. Fred, the
floorwalker in Berkley's story where Alice works, is sincerely in love with
her.
George Dale, a wealthy young society man, takes his fiance, Helen
Bradley, out riding. Their car is stalled and in fixing it, his necktie
becomes spattered with oil. He stops in at Berkley's to buy another. Mazie,
a flashily-dressed girl at the counter next to Alice's, waits on him. George
starts a flirtation with her. Alice overhears them and the poison of
discontent and envy creeps into her mind. She decides that the attentions
Mazie receives is owing to her pretty clothes. She determines to purchase
some and that night breaks open her little clay bank.
Fred expresses strong disapproval of Alice's new finery. When George
comes in the story again, he is struck with her appearance, and ignoring
Mazie, invites Alice out to dinner.
Alice and George meet his fiance and Betty, her friend. George
introduces Alice as his cousin. Helen impulsively kisses her on the cheek.
Alice has an awakening and her conscience begins to trouble her. Later, when
George tries to kiss her on the cheek in a restaurant, she springs up,
saying, "No! No! That is where SHE kissed me because she loved YOU!"
Hurrying home, she casts off her now repugnant finery and returns to her more
modest attire. Repentent, George tells Helen the truth and his sincerity
wins her forgiveness.
Next day, the landlady's little child gives Alice a kiss on the same
cheek that Helen had kissed, while Fred, happy that she has gone back to the
simple things of life, steals up and adds his kiss to the others. Alice is
happy and realizes that contentment is the foundation stone of happiness.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
A Little Madonna
[Taylor's role: "Paul Langrois, An Artist"; Margaret Gibson's role:
"Marie"]
Terrorized by Guido, her drunken and brutal father, Marie receives
assurance from her dying mother that the Madonna will always protect her.
The father reels in just after the mother has expired, too drunk to realize
the woman is dead, and finding the whiskey bottle empty, abuses the child.
Marie appeals to the image of the Madonna and Guido, in a frenzy of rage,
smashes it on the floor. Horrified at the sacrilege, Marie screams, bringing
in the neighbors, among them Paul Langrois, a young artist and curio-lover.
Paul's sympathy is aroused and he adopts the child. Later, Marie's father,
who is ignorant of her whereabouts, sees Paul purchase an expensive silver
image of the Madonna. He determines to steal the statue and follows Paul
home, planning to return that night and get it.
The little statue is put in a prominent place by the worshipful Marie.
Paul conceives the idea of painting a picture of the Madonna. He sends for a
professional model and she is just donning her costume when Paul is called
away on urgent business. He tells her to wait as he will be back shortly.
He is delayed until dark, however, and the model falls asleep in the dressing
room. While Marie is performing her usual devotions before the Madonna,
Guido pries open the window and stealthily enters. Marie hears him and as he
is about to take the silver Madonna, she grabs his arm with a scream. The
door is flung wide and the model, awaken by the scream, stands in her Madonna
robes, in a blaze of light. Filled with superstitious terror, the awe-struck
man rushes from the place. Marie at first thinks it is the Madonna herself
and kneels reverently. The model lifts her up and explains who she is,
sympathetically assuring the child she need not fear. Marie feels sure that
her mother's words have come true and gratefully offers up a little prayer
for her safe deliverance.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Captain Alvarez
[Taylor's role: "Robt. W. Wainwright (Captain Alvarez)"]
Robert Wainwright, arriving in the Argentine Republic to look after his
father's business, finds himself in a red-hot revolution. He falls in love
with Bonita, niece of Don Arana, foreign minister to Rosas, the tyrant.
Bonita favors the rebels and through Wainwright's love for her, wins him to
their cause. He communicates with General Urguiza, the rebel leader, but the
messenger is intercepted by Tirzo, Rosas' spy. Tirzo is an aspirant to the
hand of Bonita and to get Wainwright out of the way, suggests it would be
well for him to leave the country at once.
Wainwright takes passage on the first ship leaving for the north, but
secretly swims ashore immediately after the vessel leaves port. He returns
to Don Arana's home and acquaints Bonita with his plan to join the rebels.
Wainwright, as a rebel leader under the name "Captain Alvarez," so
distinguishes himself that he becomes the scourge of the Federals. He is
commissioned by General Urguiza to arrange with Don Arana, who is secretly in
sympathy with the rebels, for the capture of a convoy of a million in
currency dispatched to the Federal forces.
While they are talking the house is surrounded by Federals through the
work of Tirzo, and Alvarez is led off a prisoner. Tirzo promises Bonita to
save Alvarez's life if she will marry him. She is about to consent when word
comes that the prisoner has escaped by an appalling ride over a native foot
bridge on Mephisto, a wonderful horse given him by Bonita. Alvarez returns
to Bonita's home, tells her of the convoy and promises to return again at
midnight to make sure of her safety.
Alvarez and his command capture the million in currency and he leaves to
keep his midnight appointment, when he hears Tirzo plotting with a band of
gypsies to kidnap Bonita. Alvarez arrives at Don Arana's first. Tirzo
enters alone and in a fight the spy is killed and his body carried off by the
gypsies. A band of Federals stop them, recognize Tirzo and rush to Don
Arana's house, where they capture Alvarez. He is ordered shot at sunrise.
The Federals are defeated and Rosas, the tyrant, flees for his life. The
rebel forces arrive in time to save Captain Alvarez and all ends
victoriously.
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Don Osborn
As indicated in TAYLOROLOGY 85, convicted blackmailer Don Osborn was
linked to Margaret Gibson, who reportedly made a deathbed confession to the
Taylor murder. The following are some clippings pertaining to Osborn's
blackmail conviction. [Thanks to Richard Rosenberg for providing several of
the clippings.]
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
October 25, 1923
LOS ANGELES TIMES
Angelenos Will Face Ohio Court
Arraignment of Don Osborne and Miss Rose Putnam, residents of Los
Angeles, upon a conspiracy to blackmail John L. Bushnell, a multi-millionaire
banker at Springfield, O., is scheduled for tomorrow, according to advices
received yesterday from Cincinnati.
They have been removed to the Hamilton County jail from Troy, O.,
following indictiment by the United States grand jury. An extensive list of
witnesses from many parts of the United States, including Los Angeles, were
heard.
Bushnell is a son of a former governor of Ohio, Asa Bushnell. He was a
witness before the Federal grand jury.
At the time of their arrest in Dayton, Osborne, who also was known as
Putman, and the woman are said to have admitted that they extorted $10,000
from Bushnell. They are believed to have left Los Angeles in July of last
year, going direct to Springfield.
Osborne is said to be the woman's uncle. She is about 30 years of age
and he is slightly younger.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
October 31, 1923
CINCINNATI ENQUIRER
Blackmailers Enter Pleas of Guilty
Don Osborn and Rose Putnam, alias Rose O. Cooly, Los Angeles, Cal, who
were indicted by the recent Federal Grand Jury on charges growing out of
alleged attempt to blackmail John L. Bushnell, Springfield (Ohio) banker, and
son of the late Asa S. Bushnell, Springfield, former Governor of Ohio, came
before United States District Judge Smith Hickenlooper yesterday and pleaded
guilty to charges of having entered into conspiracies to violate Federal
laws.
Osborn was sentenced to serve 21 months in the Federal Penitentiary at
Atlanta, Ga., and was fined $500 and costs. Miss Putnam was sentenced to
serve six months in Miami County Jail, at Troy, Ohio, where she and Osborn
have been confined since their arrest last July following an alleged second
attempt to obtain money from Bushnell.
Prior to their appearance before Judge Hickenlooper, it is said, both
Osborn and Miss Putnam confessed to the Federal officials and, in Court, they
told Judge Hickenlooper they were ready and willing to aid the Government by
their testimony when others, alleged to have been associated with them, are
apprehended and brought to trial.
W. A. Haines, Troy, Ohio, attorney for Miss Putnam, made a plea in
behalf of his client. He said she was a victim of the men who engineered the
scheme to blackmail Mr. Bushnell under threats of criminal prosecution under
the Mann act, the same to be based upon Bushnell's alleged arrangement for
Miss Putnam to journey from Los Angeles to Texas to meet him. He said Miss
Putnam was but a tool of the men and that she was coerced into acting with
them in furthering their scheme. He said she came from a prominent family
whose reputation is of the highest.
In the courtroom at the time the defendants were given sentence were
John M. Cole, Springfield, and Andrew Iddings, Dayton, Ohio, attorneys, who
were retained by Mr. Bushnell to assist the Government officials. They,
however, took no part in the proceedings.
Among others alleged to have been implicated with Miss Putnam and Don
Osborn, who is said to be her uncle, are R. G. Madson and J. A. Ryan, who are
said to have been with them at Springfield when the alleged attempts to
blackmail Bushnell were made, and Albert S. Harris, Hollywood, Cal., who is
in Hamilton County Jail, having been arrested three weeks ago following a
third attempt to blackmail Bushnell.
According to officials, Harris sought to obtain $25,000 from Bushnell to
cover cash bonds for $10,000 for Osborn and Miss Putnam for their release
from Miami County Jail, and to pay their expenses out of the United States.
Matson and Ryan have not been apprehended.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
March 7, 1924
LOS ANGELES TIMES
Ohio Blackmail Ring is Exposed
Twelve letters said to have been the basis of a blackmail plot against
John L. Bushnell, Springfield (O.) banker and son of former Gov. Bushnell of
that State, were seized yesterday by agents of the Department of Justice in a
room at 744 South Bonnie Brae, according to Agent O. E. Meehan.
The seizure followed the arrest of Lawrence McClean by city police as a
burglar suspect, and his asserted confession, to the surprise of the Federal
agents, that he was a member of the blackmail gang. He had not been
suspected, it was said.
The confession, according to Meehan, involved R. G. Sheridan, alias
Blackie Madison, recently arrested in Los Angeles and now on his way to
Cincinnati for trial, and others now under indictment in the United States
District Court at Cincinnati.
By means of the letters, Meehan said, the gang extorted $10,000 from the
Ohio banker and made attempts to obtain $100,000 and then $30,000 more.
Bushnell had been tricked into paying $10,000 for a package of blank
paper, the agent said, and instead of meeting further demands sought the
indictment of the gang.
The letters are asserted to have been written by Bushnell to Rose
Cooley, alias Rose Putman, who formerly lived at 2775 Beechwood Avenue with
her uncle, Dan Osborne, alias H. L. Putman. The woman and Herbert I. Ross
were convicted recently at Cincinnati, Meehan said, and are serving sentences
at Atlanta penitentiary.
A sixth member of the asserted gang is being sought by the Federal
agents. McClean is said to have told Agent Meehan he had been worried by the
arrest of Sheridan and decided to make a clean breast of all he knew. He
will be arraigned today before United States Commissioner Long.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
March 30, 1924
LOS ANGELES TIMES
Asserted Blackmail Chief Held
John A. Ryan, accused leader of a blackmail plot against John L.
Bushnell, Springfield (O.) banker and son of former Gov. Bushnell of that
State, has been arrested by Federal agents in Chicago, Lucian C. Wheeler,
agent in charge of the Bureau of Investigation in Los Angeles, reported
yesterday. Ryan is under indictment in Cincinnati together with Lawrence
McClean and R. G. Sheridan arrested recently in Los Angeles and returned to
Cincinnati.
Ryan is said to be the sixth and last member of the asserted blackmail
gang to be arrested. Rose Cooley, alias Rose Putman, who formerly lived at
2575 Beechwood Avenue with her uncle, Dan Osborne, and Herbert I. Ross were
convicted on the blackmail charge at Cincinnati and are serving sentences in
the Atlanta penitentiary, according to Agent O. E. Meehan of the Bureauu of
Investigation, who apprehended McClean and Sheridan. Osberne, alias H. L.
Putman, is said also to be under indictment with Ryan and the others...
[Note: As indicated in the clippings above, there were various reported
spellings for Putnam, Putman; Osborn, Osborne; Dan, Don; etc.]
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The First Fictionalization of the Taylor Murder
The first fictionalization of the Taylor murder was published less than
two weeks after the murder, when the following story by mystery writer Isabel
Ostrander was syndicated to many newspapers.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
February 14, 1922
Isabel Ostrander
MILWAUKEE JOURNAL
Detective Story Author "Solves" Taylor Murder
(Isabel Ostrander, world-famed author of detective stories, has written
a novelette based on the Taylor movie murder, in which she uses her detective
ability to work out in fiction her "solution" of the mystery!
This story was written by Isabel Ostrander after careful study of all
reports of developments in the Taylor investigation. It is the first time
such a story has been done by a famous American author so soon after such a
tragedy.
Is Isabel Ostrander's solution right? Has the author of The Primal Law,
The Clew in the Air, The Step on the Stairs and other mystery stories, worked
out the correct answer?)
-------
"What's the real dope, chief?" Capt. Hoey of the homicide bureau asked
as he and his superior skimmed in a swift little runabout over the road
toward Hollywood. "I know that Fowler was the theatrical wizard of his day
and this new play he was about to produce has been hailed as his crowning
triumph, but where did he come from?"
"That's a nice little lead, Hoey, but it won't get you anywhere," the
chief replied dryly. "It happens that about fifteen years ago John Evans
Fowler was Jordan Everitt Foster with a family and a swell social position.
We dug up his picture from the morgue this morning, sent out broadcast at the
time of his disappearance. It had me going until I got in touch with Frisco
and learned that his family and former associates had been wise to his change
of name for a couple of years and had let him slide. There's no mystery
there, no suggestion of enmity or financial trouble, no woman in the case."
"There have been plenty since," Capt. Hoey observed. "They were plumb
dippy about him, especially the three that he made famous. He never seems to
have fallen for any of them, though, or a bullet might have reached him
before it did last night. He made a star of Justine Reverre, turned
Pierrette Howard from a rough soubrette into the cleverest comedienne on the
screen today, according to the critics, and put Winnie Willis in the
forefront in the ingenue class. They were all to be in this new picture,
weren't they?"
"And all three of them were out here at his dinner party last night,"
Chief Newton nodded. "That doesn't prove anything, though; Reverre is
wrapped up in her career, Pierrette makes her way with no favors and little
Winnie Willis has announced her engagement to that young millionaire, Jason
Brooks."
"Who else were in the party?" asked Hoey.
"Only two actors, newcomers to the company, but there was one uninvited
guest who put in a tardy appearance; at least, he was seen sneaking out of
the back door by Mrs. Maxwell--who has the next bungalow--immediately after
the shot was fired, and two minutes later another neighbor met him three
blocks nearer the trolley line." The chief's tone was significant. "Both of
them recognized him as Oren Beach, a fellow who sponged on Fowler for months
and then forged his name to a couple of checks. Fowler forgave the first
offense but when the second check turned up he swore out a warrant for
Beach's arrest. Looks like an open-and-shut case to me when we land him."
"Why didn't Mrs. Maxwell start an investigation when she heard the
shot?" Hoey was discreetly noncommittal.
"Thought it was the backfire of one of the motor cars," responded his
superior, adding, "Here we are."
The announcement was superfluous as he pulled up in the space which had
been kept clear for him before a pretty, low-roofed bungalow snuggled between
two more pretentious ones in the heart of the colony, for a milling crowd of
men and women were surging about it and a score or more of cars were parked
along the boulevard.
"Get the furs and the diamonds!" Hoey remarked in an undertone. "Looks
like a society crush."
"Well, it ain't," his companion retorted. "They're the top-notchers of
the movie world, though. Come on."
The front door at the left of the veranda opened as they elbowed their
way through the crowd and a distinguished looking man with iron-grey hair
appeared on the threshold. Capt. Hoey whistled softly.
"That's Paul Benedict, the traction king! What is he doing here?"
"Backing the new film; his first theatrical venture, I understand."
The chief added as they mounted the steps: "Glad you received my message,
Mr. Benedict. This is a mighty bad business."
"It is horrible, almost unbelievable!" the magnate replied in a low,
shocked tone. "Young Brooks has been waiting with me in the dining room; in
accordance with your orders we have not entered the study where poor Fowler
was killed and the three ladies of the company who dined here last night are
upstairs, I believe."
"All right, Mr. Benedict. We'll join you and Mr. Brooks shortly." The
chief turned to his subordinate. "Go in and have a look around, Hoey."
He handed the other a key, motioning toward a door at the right and the
detective entered. A chair had been overturned, a sinister stain clotted the
rug between it and the desk and just at his feet the rug itself had been
doubled back. A shimmer of white showed beneath it and Hoey stooped for a
moment before advancing into the room. Some twenty minutes later he emerged
and quietly letting himself out by the front door he skirted the house,
examining the ground with each step. Re-entering the house once more he came
upon a negro manservant, who started violently.
"You are Hiram Timmons, Mr. Fowler's valet?" he demanded without
preamble.
"Yassuh, ah' cook, too. He lives--I mean, he lived--real simple out
here ceptin' when he gave a dinner like last night and then the caterers
come, but I done got 'em all out befo' I went home myself."
"The guests had all gone, too?" Hoey persisted. "Tell me the order in
which they left. Who went first?"
"The two gentlemen, suh. Then Mis' Reverre and then little Mis' Willis.
Po' Mistuh Fowler was just escortin' the last one, Mis' Howard, to her car
when I started for home aftuh puttin' the study to rights."
"Did you see anyone outside?"
"Nossuh, nobody but Mr. Oren Beach, who used to visit Mr. Fowler."
"Then you know him?"
"Reckon I does." Hiram's tone was scathing. "Spent mos' of my time
pickin' up his cigarette butts all oveh the place!"
"Then you ought to know what brand he smoked." Hoey laughed
indifferently.
"Done roll his own, in brown paper!" The cook-valet sniffed and then
cocked an anxious ear upward. "Spec' one of the ladies havin' hysterics!"
An unmistakable sound of feminine weeping had drifted down to them and
in another moment Hoey had sprung lightly up the stairs and knocked upon the
door from behind which it came. A soft, reluctant footstep reached his ears
and the door opened to reveal a demure little blonde with tear-drenched eyes.
"Oh, please let me go home!" she wailed. "This dreadful place will
drive me mad!"
"In just a minute, Miss Willis," Hoey replied gently. "You dined here
last night. Did Mr. Fowler escort you to your car?"
"Yes. The--the very last thing he said to me was that he was going to
be proud of me in his new production! Oh, I can't bear to talk about it! He-
-he was almost like a father to me!"
She broke into tumultuous sobbing once more and the detective could get
nothing further from her but he had seen enough to satisfy him. Tapping upon
the door across the hall he found himself confronted by the wide-eyed,
piquant face of the comedienne, Pierrette Howard. There were traces of tears
upon it but she replied to his questions in a low, steady tone. She had been
the last of the guests to leave on the preceding evening, had remained for a
few moments to talk over her part. The tragedy was naturally a frightful
shock to her, for she and Mr. Fowler had been the best of pals for ages. No,
certainly there had never been anything of a sentimental nature between them.
Was she at liberty to return to her home?
As she asked the question a masculine voice sounded from below and she
shrank back, shutting the door almost in the detective's face. He shrugged
slightly and turned to a door at the end of the hall.
A contralto voice in tones of studied tragedy bade him enter and the
stately figure of the famous star, Justine Revelle, arose slowly from a
couch. Her classic but somewhat mature features were as immobile as though
carved in marble and they did not change as she assured her questioner that
she had looked upon Mr. Fowler as the master who had revealed her genius to
the world when she had all but given up hope of recognition. It was evident
that she meant to talk of nothing but herself and Hoey at length withdrew and
descended to the dining room.
There the chief presented him to a tall, narrow-shouldered youth with a
vapid face upon which an expression of stunned horror was stamped. Jason
Brooks hadn't known Fowler, poor chap, very well, but he admired him
immensely. No, he had not been invited to the dinner, but had spent the
evening at the club as the doorman, stewards and a dozen of his friends could
testify.
"And you, Mr. Benedict? You did not dine here either?" Hoey turned to
the traction king.
"No. I remained in my own rooms as my man will tell you," Benedict
replied, taking a handkerchief from his pocket and rubbing it nervously
between his hands as he spoke. "I had some important papers to look over--!"
"Very good, sir. Chief, Mrs. Maxwell and the other witness were right."
Hoey turned to his superior. "Oren Beach was here last night."
"I told you it was an open-and-shut--" Chief Newton began but paused at
something in the other's expression.
"He was here but outside the window of this room, looking through that
door which leads into the study. Here are six stubs of his own peculiar
cigarettes which he smoked there while he watched a scene in which he had no
part. Mr. Brooks, you have loyal friends who will swear to your alibi but
you dropped half of one of your cuff links as you crouched beneath the desk
in that room last night. Its monogram is identical with that of the old-
fashioned seal you are wearing on your watch chain."
Brooks cowered back, his ashen face suddenly gray.
"I swear--I swear I didn't kill him!" he gasped. "I was jealous,
foolishly and without cause, and I came to have it out with him but I didn't
fire the shot--I didn't even know who did! I slipped in while he and Miss
Howard were talking in the dining room and hid under the desk when he
escorted her out. Someone else came in and I thought it was he returning,
but it--it wasn't. From where I crouched I could see only the feet of the
intruder, but they were not Fowler's. He came in a minute after, though, and
without a word the shot was fired and he fell. The--the other man went out
at once but it seemed ages until I could get up courage enough to go, too,
and slam the door behind me so that the spring lock would catch. I did not
even have a revolver with me--"
"It is an odd coincidence that your name and that of the man who watched
outside would have commenced with the same letter. Beach and Brooks--and
Benedict." Hoey wheeled suddenly upon the latter. "Be careful, Mr.
Benedict, that when you put that handkerchief back in your pocket it remains
there and does not fall to the floor as another one did last night; another
with an initial identical with that on the handkerchief you are holding now!"
As he spoke he whipped from his own pocket the square of white linen
which he had picked up from beneath the edge of the rug in the study and the
chief lunged forward with a hoarse cry of warning as the financier reeled.
Recovering himself he extended his hands with a slight smile and
disclosed in the folds of the handkerchief which he himself held a tiny,
gleaming instrument like a miniature hypodermic needle.
"This one was not empty, you see," he remarked quietly. "I came
prepared and when you entered the room just now I knew from your face that
the game was up, but I hardly expected you to work so fast. Never mind why I
did it, nor why a man of my years who has never known love for a woman before
should wander into the field of the films to find it after all the tinseled
sham which it is! Young Brooks here could not have fired the shot from
beneath the desk, of course; you deduced that from the angle at which the
bullet was sped. I do not regret." His voice had weakened all at once and
he felt blindly for a chair into which the chief assisted him.
After a moment Benedict went on:
"I am going now, I think. It was fate that we should have the same
initial letter for our surnames; of course it had to be one of us three!"
*****************************************************************************
*****************************************************************************
Injury and Illness in 1914 Hollywood
1914 was the year that William Desmond Taylor first began directing
movies. The following brief contemporary items give glimpses into illness
and injury in the silent film industry in Southern California during that
year. All of the following items are datelined from Los Angeles.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
January 24, 1914
MOTOGRAPHY
In a recent play put on by Henry McRae at the Universal ranch, a soldier
was told to throw a bomb at a certain time. When the time came Mr. McRae
instructed his company to keep their positions by shouting his usual "Hold
it." The soldier took this to himself and the bomb exploded in his hand. It
was fortunately a "prop" bomb, but even then it singed his eyebrows and hair.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
February 20, 1914
VARIETY
Belle Bennett, leading woman, Balboa Feature Films Co., after an
operation for appendicitis, has left the hospital where she has been confined
in Los Angeles.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
April 11, 1914
MOVING PICTURE WORLD
A fierce fire broke out March 13th in the Keystone laboratory at Los
Angeles, Cal, and did considerable damage before the flames could be
extinsuished. Two printing machines were ruined, besides two finished
pictures that were made at the Santa Monica Broncho Studio. Bret Hunn
distinguished himself in fighting the fire. Manager Brandt, of the film
department, was severely burned about the hands while fighting the fire.
Much valuable film was saved.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
April 11, 1914
MOVING PICTURE WORLD
While Francis Ford, and the company, with Grace Cunard were in San Diego
doing some airship scenes for the Lucille Love series, one of the dependents
of Ford was injured. Ernest W. Field was the man who fell twenty-five feet
on the rocks down the coast. His skull was nearly fractured and he suffered
a severe shaking up.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
April 25, 1914
MOVING PICTURE WORLD
Wallace Reid, who has been conducting his own company, has been sick for
a week owing to a bad sprain which he received while riding a cayuse up at
the American ranch. He rode a horse some time ago and sprained his back
again which made him unable to work of late.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
April 24, 1914
MOVING PICTURE WORLD
What might have been caused the Francis Ford company of Universal
players to turn their heads and hide their faces with dread when Miss Essie
Fay, who is the only one who goes into the lion's den at the ranch, was
caught in the trap-door as one of the lionesses made a spring for her. The
cameramen who were outside the cage threw rocks at the old lion, but missed a
shot and hit a lioness, who instantly became enraged and jumped for the girl.
She sprang to the door and as it closed the body of the animal hit it and
hastened its closing, smashing her hand in the crack and badly bruising it.
She tugged it out, only after the huge paw of the beast had barely scraped
it.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
May 15, 1914
VARIETY
Enid Markey, of the New York M. P. Corporation, is recovering from
injuries received during the taking of "The Wrath of the Gods."
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
May 15, 1914
VARIETY
Los Angeles, May 13.--While taking part in a "picture arrest" downtown,
yesterday, Robert Vernon, playing an Italian fugitive, was severely clubbed
by the "officer" and had to be removed to the hospital.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
May 16, 1914
MOVING PICTURE WORLD
Closely following the death of William Warner Kirby, the actor-trainer,
who died of blood poisoning caused by his being mauled by a lioness, the
beast was shot, at the order of the officials of the Universal Company. The
unfortuante happening will no doubt serve as a sinister example in future
handling of these dangerous felines.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
May 22, 1914
VARIETY
Wilfred Lucas is recuperating from a broken shoulder.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
May 29, 1914
VARIETY
Nick Cogley (Keystone), injured several weeks ago, is still propelling
himself on crutches.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
May 29, 1914
VARIETY
Joe Swickward, a picture actor, is in a Los Angeles hospital with a
broken ankle, sustained while appearing before the camera.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
June 5, 1914
VARIETY
Dustin Farnum, long a hero on the legitimate stage, enrolled himself as
a real (also reel) hero at Escondido, Cal., when he saved the life of Miss
Winifred Kingston, his leading woman. Miss Kingston was participating in the
making of the photoplay, "The Virginian," when she missed her footing and
fell into a river at a point where the water ran to a depth of 12 feet. In
the fall she struck her head against a piece of driftwood and was stunned.
Farnum, who was only a few feet away, hastily cast off his coat and plunged
into the water, swimming to shore with the actress on his back. A great
crowd of onlookers had gathered to see the pictures players at work, and wild
cheers greeted the leading man's act of heroism. It is doubtful if Farnum
ever received a bigger "hand" in all his career as a matinee idol.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
June 6, 1914
MOVIE PICTORIAL
Poor "Jackie" Saunders of the Balboa Company came in contact with some
poison ivy when doing a forest scene, and her pretty face has been swollen to
double its size. At one time fears were entertained for her eyesight.
However, she is much better already.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
June 12, 1914
VARIETY
The contract held by Marie Dressler with the Keystone Picture Co. has
been canceled as the result of an accident that befell Miss Dressler while
standing on the pier at Venice during the taking of a film. She fell into
the sea and was rescued by the guards, but will be incapacitated for some
time, and may be internally injured.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
June 19, 1914
VARIETY
Los Angeles, June 17.--Harry Spears, a Majestic studio director and well
known, died here, after a lingering illness. The funeral was conducted by
the picture players.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
June 19, 1914
VARIETY
Jerry Grant, cowboy of Kay Bee, was seriously burned by a lariat while
appearing in a picture in Santa Monica.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
June 26, 1914
VARIETY
Carmen Phillips was injured quite severely while appearing in the "Damon
and Pythias" picture at Universal City last week. She slipped and fell,
spraining her left knee, while dashing in front of the camera.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
June 20, 1914
MOVIE PICTORIAL
Cleo Madison had her feet very badly burned in the fire scene in "The
Girl and the Feud." When she returned to work again, she fainted and the
doctor forbade her to do anything until she was in better shape.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
July 3, 1914
VARIETY
Marie Dressler, recently injured at Keystone, is about recovered.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
July 17, 1914
VARIETY
Marshall Neilan, Kalem director, at Hollywood, is recovering from a
severe case of poisoning through drinking desert water.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
July 24, 1914
VARIETY
Charles E. Van Loan, newspaper man, author of baseball stories and
scenario writer, was severely injured last week when the auto in which he was
riding plunged from Skyline road, in San Bernardino. His jaw was broken and
he received internal injuries.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
July 25, 1914
MOTION PICTURE NEWS
By an accident Porter Strong, of the R. B. Film Corporation Comedy
company, was run over by an automobile. According to the script, there was
to be an explosion, the hood of the machine flying off. Strong, who was
standing in the machine, should fall forward onto the radiator; and the
machine start forward. Everything worked out correctly, except the fall by
Strong, who went on over and could not get out of the way of the machine.
The fly-wheel caught on Strong's clothing, and for a moment--while the auto
was passing over him--members of the company thought it would be necessary to
pick him up in a market basket. Aside from bruises he was not injured.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
July 25, 1914
MOTION PICTURE NEWS
G. A. Beranger, assistant to D. W. Griffith, of the Majestic Company, at
the Hollywood, Cal., studio, is being termed the hero by all members of the
company, as the result of an accident, while riding his new Indian
motorcycle, on the speedway at Venice, Cal., with a side-car attached, in
which were three girls of the company. To prevent the side-car from being
hit by an auto, Beranger ran into an automobile on his left. His foot was
badly mashed and a piece of the pedal penetrated the instep fully one inch.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
July 25, 1914
MOTION PICTURE NEWS
In the filming of "Even Unto Death," at Catalina Islands, this week,
Miss Dot Farley, leading woman of the Albuquerque Film Company, was washed
off a large rock by a big swell at an unexpected moment, and when the motor
boat captain near by at the time refused to drive his craft among the seal
rocks, fearing it would be dashed to pieces, Director Gilbert P. Hamilton
jumped in and rescued the popular picture star. Miss Farley was unconscious
for some time after being rescued, and by members of the company it is
considered marvelous that she was rescued because of the whirlpools between
the rocks and the strong undertow. Twice Mr. Hamilton was sucked down in
whirlpools, and both times was battered against rocks. As a result his legs
were badly bruised and cut in a number of places.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
August 7, 1914
VARIETY
Lou Carter, who had a very bad accident a few weeks ago, is back at work
again, fully recovered.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
August 7, 1914
VARIETY
Sydney de Gray is recovering from an illness on the Coast. He expects
to be back with the Pathe within a week or so.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
August 8, 1914
MOVIE PICTORIAL
I record with regret the death of Sydney Diamond on July the ninth. He
was assisting Mack Sennett at the time he was taken to the hospital suffering
with cancer of the stomach. Poor Sydney was with the Majestic and Universal
before joining the Keystone and was well known on the coast as a stock actor.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
August 7, 1914
VARIETY
Edna Goodrich, a professional swimmer, nearly lost her life while
appearing in a picture being taken on the (Nat) Goodwin Pier at Santa Monica,
Cal.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
August 7, 1914
VARIETY
Lloyd Hamilton (Kalem) is recovering from injuries sustained by a recent
bad fall.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
August 14, 1914
VARIETY
Louise Glaum has reported for duty after a somewhat trying illness.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
August 16, 1914
NEW YORK TELEGRAPH
Cleo Madison continues her fine work in "The Trey o' Hearts" and
steadily refuses to have any "double" to subsitute for her. The result is
that she is getting more than her fair share of misadventure. She came
perilously near to drowning recently when the boat she was supposed to push
through the breakers and so escape turned turtle and she could not get from
under. Wilfred Lucas, George Larkin and the other men present went to her
rescue and she was unconscious when pulled to shore, but she did the "retake"
the following day despite protests. Her work in "The Trey o' Hearts" puts
the stamp upon her abilities.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
August 22, 1914
MOVIE PICTORIAL
Bess Meredyth is with us once more after her severe treatment to ward
off rabies. She says she still feels rather dopey but is all right
otherwise.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
August 22, 1914
MOTION PICTURE NEWS
Art Gibson, of the Sterling comedy company, was shot in the hand a few
days ago, the wad of the blank cartridge penetrating to between the bones of
the palm. The injured member was dressed at the Universal hospital.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
August 29, 1914
MOTION PICTURE NEWS
Phillip Walsh of the Universal scenario department was run down by an
automobile last Saturday evening while going to his home, and has since been
in a local hospital in a critical condition.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
September 4, 1914
VARIETY
Velma Pearce is recovering from an illness in a hospital near Los
Angeles.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
September 4, 1914
VARIETY
The accident rec
ord goes to Stella Razeto of Selig's. She has been
injured four times in as many weeks.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
September 5, 1914
MOTION PICTURE NEWS
Henry Walthall and Fred Burns, as commanders of the Ku-Klux Clan, in the
filming of "The Clansman," by D. W. Griffith, put on the most exciting chase
seen, near Whittier, last week, when the horse Walthall was riding ran away.
Because of his weak condition--having been out of the hospital for but a week
following a serious illness--the favorite actor could not control the
charger. Director Griffith and Cameraman G. W. Bitzer were ahead in an
automobile and the machine registered a speed of forty-three miles per hour
for fully a mile. Fred Burns, formerly head cowboy for Buffalo Bill's Wild
West, finally caught the horse Walthall was riding and was able to stop it
before the actor was injured. In the scenes taken at Whittier 175 horses and
three hundred men were used.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
September 12, 1914
MOTION PICTURE NEWS
Jack Kerrigan is hobbling about the big U studio on cutches, following a
scratch on the foot and the development of blood poisoning. But Jack is not
allowed to take a vacation because of the need of crutches. Director Jacques
Jaccard was horrified when he learned of the condition of his lead and
furthermore saw a week's lay off for himself and company. Then he began
writing a scenario for a picture in which Kerrigan could use his crutch,
swollen foot, and general illness to advantage. The company is producing
"The Proof of a Man," and many of the players about the studio think Kerrigan
is merely acting with his crutch. The picture is laid in Chinatown of San
Francisco.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
September 11, 1914
VARIETY
Anna Little is recuperating from an illness at her Long Beach home.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
September 11, 1914
VARIETY
Douglas Gerrard recently underwent an operation on his ear. He is still
in the hospital.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
September 18, 1914
VARIETY
Bess Meredyth is quite ill at her Hollywood (Cal.) home as a result of
attending a dog that was infected with rabies.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
September 18, 1914
VARIETY
Gertrude Short, the 11-year-old star of the Santa Monica Vitagraph
Studio, who broke a leg several months ago, will soon again be seen on the
screen.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
September 19, 1914
MOVING PICTURE WORLD
D. W. Griffith has a sunburned pate. What caused it? Well, to get the
proper atmosphere for "The Clansman" he shaved his head to show his good
faith in getting the men who worked in the picture to cut their locks. He
wears a hat without a crown, and of course without his hair he became well
burned while directing out under the sunny California skies. He puts cold
cream on it every night, but no grease paint.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
September 19, 1914
MOTION PICTURE NEWS
Mrs. Chauncey Ward, character woman for the Sterling Motion Picture
company was badly maimed when a Hollywood-Los Angeles street car on which she
was riding, collided with a heavy truck, and it will be several weeks before
she will be able to appear before the camera. Lon Chaney, of the Universal,
passed a moment after the accident happened, and by experience gained in
motion picture accidents rendered first aid to the injured.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
October 10, 1914
VARIETY
Adele Lane, who was bit by a bear recently, soon will be back at work.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
October 17, 1914
VARIETY
Irene Hunt has fully recovered from her injury received in a picture
fall, and is back with D. W. Griffith.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
November 7, 1914
MOTION PICTURE NEWS
Inceville, the New York Motion Picture company's studio at Santa Monica
canyon, was threatened with destruction by fire the past week, during the
production of an underworld story by Scott Sidney. A large portion of one
set was lighted in order to secure realistic effects, believing that it would
be possible for the stage hands to extinguish it without difficulty.
Everything being dry the fire gained headway very speedily and was spreading
to other sets before it was gotten under control. Harry G. Koenan, an actor,
was badly burned about the hands and arms.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
November 15, 1914
NEW YORK TELEGRAPH
Starting home after the Photoplayers Vaudeville, Jacques Jaccard's
automobile skidded, and he and Bobby Ross, the technical man, were thrown
out, and the latter sustained a bad scalp wound, which took seven stitches to
sew up. He was on hand for work on the Monday morning, however.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
November 22, 1914
NEW YORK TELEGRAPH
At the Bosworth studios I learn that Hobart Bosworth is quite sick, much
to every one's regret.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
November 28, 1914
MOTION PICTURE NEWS
Marie Walcamp, of the 101 Bison U Company, was painfully clawed by King,
the big lion at Universal zoo, last week, when the beast struck her shoulder
with his hind foot while jumping over her body during the making of a
picture. Five stitches were required.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
November 28, 1914
VARIETY
Ralph Lewis is laid up with a crippled foot as a result of an accident
sustained while appearing in D. W. Griffith's "The Clansman."
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
December 12, 1914
VARIETY
Helen Holmes is ill. She is threatened with pneumonia.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
December 12, 1914
VARIETY
Charles Clary is receiving the jibes and taunts of his friends these
days. The other week he was driving a mule in a picture when the mule ran
away and Charles was quite badly bruised.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
December 19, 1914
VARIETY
J. P. McGowan, the director, is still in the hospital as a result of his
fall from a telegraph pole, and his physician fears he may be paralyzed.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
December 26, 1914
MOTION PICTURE NEWS
Dorothy Gish, the Griffith-Mutual star, in full view of the studio crowd
at Hollywood was struck by a racing automobile and dragged over forty feet
before the big machine could be stopped. Her horrified friends rushed down
the road to her, found her unconscious, and among those who helped lift her
into the ambulance when it came was D. W. Griffith, who has done so much to
make the younger Gish sister a popular star on the Mutual program. The
director rode to Los Angeles with her, and her many other friends followed
her there as best they could, by trolley, motor or carriage, as the case
might be. At the hospital surgeons discovered that the little Mutual star
had had her left side very badly torn and one toe cut off. It looked like a
very bad case, but after several hours she began to rest more easily, and
when Mr. Griffith finally came out and announced that she would live, but
that it might be several weeks before she would be able to work again,
Dorothy Gish's friends breathed a sigh of deep relief.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
December 26, 1914
MOVING PICTURE WORLD
The crisis was passed in the siege against typhoid-pneumonia which Ford
Sterling was waging with his great constitution, and now the popular comedian
is past danger, but he looks rather battleworn, for he lost close to 22
pounds in the fight for his life. He will be out again in a few weeks and
back to work.
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"PERFECT CRIMES? Nickell/Taylor"
by Ray Long
In mid-September 1999, Bruce Long contacted me asking if I'd allow him
to give my e-mail address to a documentary producer based at Santa Monica,
California. The unsolved murder of William Desmond Taylor was to be the
subject of his production.
Several days later I was contacted by this producer. At first I was
hesitant to divulge what knowledge I might have about the case. After some
prodding, I acquiesced and let the proverbial "cat out of the bag."
I was then asked to do an on-camera interview which I agreed to do on
October 8 during one of my periodic visits to the Los Angeles basin. During
the interview, I made several statements which would prove erroneous. I had
ASSUMED that Ms Gibson/Palmer/Lewis conducted herself in an ethical manner
during her lifetime with the exception of a brief lapse on February 1, 1922.
That was a big mistake. Subsequent revelations proved contrary.
It now appears that some of my assumptions were inaccurate. Where I
assumed that she had changed her name in 1917 for professional reasons, we
learned that she'd been arrested for prostitution and vagrancy (working in a
house of prostitution). Despite overwhelming evidence of her guilt, she was
acquitted by a jury (reminiscent of the Simpson jury?). Regardless of the
outcome of that trial, she could no longer appear in front of the camera as
Margaret Gibson (her birth name). I gave this interview prior to revelations
in the January 2000 issue of Taylorology.
Whereas I assumed that she'd been infatuated with the director, it now
appears more likely that she had attempted to blackmail him because of his
sexual preferences. With the events at the Saint Francis Hotel over the
Labor Day Weekend 1921 painting the public press bright pink, it would appear
that she seized this opportunity to threaten the director with exposure if he
didn't meet her demands. And it would appear that Taylor declined to meet
those demands and was taking steps to see that Ms. Gibson-Palmer enjoyed an
extended stay at the Hotel Gray Bar.
We also learned that Ms Gibson-Palmer was arrested in 1923 on a Federal
charge for being part of a nation-wide extortion ring. The case was
dismissed after the Federal Attorney learned that the complainant and
principal witness might have violated the Mann Act by transporting Ms
Gibson/Palmer across a state line into Mexico. In the "moral" climate of
1923, this alone should have been the coup de grace to Gibson-Palmer's
theatrical career. Somehow, her filmography continues into 1929.
Several errors crept into the documentary and I don't know their source.
Contrary to all known biographies, according to a 1900 census document
furnished to me by the Denver Public Library, Margaret Gibson was born in
Kansas, September 14, 1896.
"Rounding up the Law" the film she made with "Big Boy" Williams in late
1921 was not a serial. It was a five reel "oater" filmed in Weir Canyon on
land which is now the bottom of the upper Hollywood Reservoir. Several
scenes were shot along Dark Canyon Road which is now Barham Boulevard. The
town scenes appear to have been shot at Mixville. There are several scenes
which could have been shot in front of any house in Hollywood during that
period.
Margaret Gibson's first theatrical appearance was at Alex Pantages'
Vaudeville house in Denver, Colorado during the spring and summer of 1910.
She would have been fourteen years old. During June of that year, Taylor
appeared on the stage of the Tabor Grand Theater just down the street. She
migrated west to Santa Monica California in 1912. Her mother appears to have
been a "stage mother" and just as much a buzzardess as Charlotte Shelby.
Interestingly, Taylor appears to have found his way to Thomas Ince's beach
front facility in Santa Monica also in 1912.
By the time she reached the age of 18 on September 14, 1914, she'd
already played opposite William Desmond Taylor in four films for Vitagraph.
How she supported herself over the years, I don't know. The parts she
played in her post-1922 films probably required no more than a couple days at
most to film. Working in one or two films a year didn't provide her with
much income yet she resided in a relatively affluent neighborhood and enjoyed
the fruits of a higher standard of living. We can only speculate. Was she
engaged in prostitution? Narcotics? Extortion? We'll probably never know
the answer.
However, something very traumatic happened to her in 1934. She suddenly
found it necessary to flee the country taking the proverbial "slow boat to
China." Actually she went to Singapore in the Straits Settlements. She had
no money yet on February 9, 1935, she married one Elbert E. Lewis who
happened to be auditor for Socony Vacuum Oil Company (Mobiloil). It would
appear she met Mr. Lewis on the dock as her ship arrived in Singapore.
For the next five years, she enjoyed the "good life" accompanying her
new spouse as he traveled around the Bay of Bengal from Ceylon to Borneo.
For the era, they enjoyed a standard of living which would be the envy of a
potentate. However this wasn't to last.
In late summer 1940, she developed a serious bladder infection that
could not be treated in India. She did not wish to return to the United
States for treatment. However, because of the war, Europe was out of the
question. And with German surface raiders operating on the Indian Ocean
(they'd already sunk one of the company's tankers) both Australia and South
Africa were out of the question. Therefore she had no choice but to return
to the United States traveling on Lewis' passport via Yokohama. (Pan
American offered Clipper Service between Manila and San Francisco but she was
afraid to fly).
Elbert Lewis was killed around March 15, 1942 during the bombing of a
Socony Vacuum facility. Pat Lewis subsisted on a small pension from Socony
later Mobil until her death in 1964. In 1949 she purchased a small house in
Beachwood Canyon near the village with funds she received from Elbert's life
insurance policy. An act of war clause voided the insurance, but Mobil paid
it anyway.
During the fifteen years that I knew her she was reclusive to the
extreme. Looking from hindsight, she must have been hiding something. She
was a very kind and considerate individual. Much of her time was spent
gardening which she allowed vegetation to totally obscure the front of her
home. Her only companion was a dark grey cat named "Rajah."
Now, there are more questions than ever. The first being the reason for
her flight from the United States. She appears to have had another nom de
guerre: Ella Margaret Arce. Could she have used this name during the early
1930s?
What about Edward King? He was a peripheral LAPD investigator during
the early phases of the Taylor homicide. In 1930, he authored a magazine
article which implied that Charlotte Shelby was the culprit. He was a
sometime actor performing under the name Eddie Baker. In 1924 he appeared
briefly in the film "Hold Your Breath" with Ms. Gibson-Palmer. He was the
very first secretary-treasurer of the Screen Actors Guild. And for fifteen
years he resided directly across the street from Ms. Gibson-Palmer. There
was precisely one digit difference in their respective street addresses.
Among Pat Lewis' papers, there is an envelope postmarked January 1941.
Written in pencil in what appears to be her mother's hand-writing is the home
address and home telephone for "Sanderson." Leroy Sanderson handled the
Taylor investigation for the LAPD from his office on the second floor of New
City Hall between 1937 and 1941. Why?
At barely five foot, she was a mite of a woman but she could sure get
herself into some mighty big trouble.
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Back issues of Taylorology are available on the Web at any of the following:
http://www.angelfire.com/az/Taylorology/
http://www.etext.org/Zines/ASCII/Taylorology/
http://www.silent-movies.com/Taylorology/
Full text searches of back issues can be done at http://www.etext.org/Zines/
or at http://www.silent-movies.com/search.html. For more information about
Taylor, see
WILLIAM DESMOND TAYLOR: A DOSSIER (Scarecrow Press, 1991)
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