The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1866-1891, 1879-12-25
A PENNSYLVANIA MURDER.


Confession Of tho Tool Of Gang Who Mur-
dered an Old Man to Secure tho Insurance.
ON His Life.
Harrisburg pa Cor. Chicago Times.I
Charles Drews, aged about 60 years,
who was employed to kill Joseph Raber
at Indiantown gap, Lebanon county, has
confessed his connection with the MUIR
der. Five men had an insurance on
Raber's life of $4,000, and they prom
ised Drews 81 500 to put him out Of the
way. The murderer, in his confession,
says:
"I went to Brandt last summer, and
we sat on the porch. He treated me to
beer, and both felt its effects. he said
We could make money, and he told ne
how. said would considerit it. Finally
I asked if he was alone. He replied
there were three others with him. He
mentioned Hummel and Wise, and 1
said did not know them. he then
offered to bring them up. I saw them,
but I only knew Wise; from boyhood
up I knew him. I then agreed, and
they insured Raber. I said it was
hard thing to kill Raber. He said they
could make money. When they again
met, Brandt said there were five inter
ested. Hummel also spoke about it.
Wise came and asked whether was to
kill Raber. I told him was not GER
tain. he urged me to 60 ahead, and
said they would ehoot me If I didn't. l
promised, but never intended to do
it, as the insurance had all been effect
ed. Brandt afterward said they had
plan ready, and if I did not kill him
they would shoot me, and to save 10
life promised. A week or two after
ward Wise said that I should not do it,
80 far as he was concerned, as he said
he did not like the job. Think it was
on the same day he said I had to kill
Raber. I then asked Frank Sichler to
do it because I could not. Stichler said
he did not care. He could kill anyone,
but he bargained that I should go along,
which I promised, but declared would
not touch Raber. Then Raber came to
my house, and we went off together with
Stichler. I was first, Raber was in the
middle, with Stichler following. I went
. over the plank and Raber got on it.
Stichler got Raber by the legs, threw
him in and jumped on top Of him. ;Ra-
ber fell below the plank. I then went
back to the fence. Tt was first intended
to drown Raber in the dam. Brandt
had planned that Raber was to go fish
ing at Kitzmiller's to catch fish for
Brandt and wife, and then I was to
drown him. We went, and Peters went
with us. When I saw the dam I could
not do it, and said we would return,
when Raber replied, yes, it was too cold,
anyhow pitied him. The drowning
at the plank afterward was also the plan
of Brandts. Brandt had promised me
$500, and that others should get the
same. He promised Stichler nothing.
had tried to coax Elijah Stichler, but
he would not go with me. I said to
Frank that 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 Brandts. This they told me in Jail.
When they asked me to go via Ranks
town I thought they wanted to kill me
then. Brandt always urged me in Jail
to keep quiet about this matter, as they
hoped to get clear, did not see the
oonspirators so very often about the
matter. 7 engaged Frank Stichler to
do the job after Kitzmiller's plan failed.
I did not go into the water. After the
drowning Stichler walked up to my
house and went to Brandt. did not
see tie old mans struggles. The plank
was made yet by the splash when Raber
fell. Brandt had Raber insured in an
other company, to kill him, but the
company failed, and with it the plan.
Brandt told me what to say before the
Ooroner's inquest. It was part of the
general plan. Brandt often urged me
while in Jail not to confess. He called
at my cell to-day for that purpose. 7
am afraid of him, but not of the others.
If you hang me you will hang an inno-
cent man."