Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1879-09-02
THE ROBER MURDER.
CONFESSION OF DREW.

READING, Pa, Sept. CHARLES Drew, under
sentence of death a. one of the principals II
the Rober murder, has made confession. HI
says: Il went to Brandt last summer and w
sat on the porch. he treated me to beer, and
both felt its effects. He said We could make
money and told me how. said would con.
slider it. Finally asked if he was alone. He
replied there were three others with him. He
mentioned Hummel and Wise, and said did
not know them. He then offered to bring
them up. l saw them but only knew Wise.
From boyhood up knew him. then agreed,
and they insured Rober. I said it was = hard
thing to kill Rober. He said they could make
money. When they again met Brandt said
there were five interested. Hummel also spoke
about it. Wise came and asked whether was
to kill Rober. told him / was not certain.
shoot me if didn't. promised, but neve,
intended to do it. as the insurance had all been
efcted. Brandt afterwards said they had O
plan ready, and if did not
KILL HIN THEY WOULD SHOOT ME,
and to save my life promised. week or two
afterwards Wise said should not do it, SO ia,
as he was concerned, as he said he did not like
the job. Think it was the same day he said l
had to kill Rober. then asked Frank Stitch.
Ter to do it, because could not. Stichler said
he did not care, he could kill any one, but
he bargained should 60 along, which prom
ised, but declared would not touch Rober
Then Rober came to my house, and we went
off together with stichler. was first, Rober
was in the middle. with Stichler following. I
went over the plank and Rober got on it, 6tich-
Ter got Rober by the legs, threw him in and
jumped on top of him. Rober fell below the
plank. then went back to the fence. It was
first intended to drown Rober in the dam.
Brandt had planned that Rober was to 60 fish
ing at Kitz Miller's to catch fish for Brandt
and wife. and then I was to drown him.
When saw the dam I could
not to do it. and said we would return, when
Rober replied: Eyes, it was too cold anyhow"
l pitied him. The drowning at the plank af-
forwards was also plan of Brandt's Brsndt
had promised me $500 and that the Others
should get the same. He promised Stichler
nothing. had tried to coax Elijah stichler,
but he would not go with me. said to Frank
would give him $500 after was paid.
When it was done they tried to swindle me out
of all and kill me. This was planned behind
the shed at Brandt's. This they told me in
jail: When they asked me to 60 via Ranks
Brandt urged me in Jail to keep quiet about
this matter as they hoped to get clear. ]
didn't see the conspirators SO very
often about the matter. I engaged Franz
stichler to do the job after the Kitzmiller
plan 1alled. l didn't 60 into the water. After
the drowning Stichler walked up to my house
and went to Brandt. didn't see the old man.
struggles. The plank was made wet by the
splash when Rober fell. Brandt had Rober IN.
sured in another company to kill him, but the
company failed and with it the plan. Brandt
told me what to say before the coroners in.
quest. 1t was sort of general plan. Brandt
often urged me while in Jail not to confess.
He called at my cell for that purpose to-day.
I am afraid of him, but not of the others. If
you hang me. you will hang an innocent man.