San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1888-06-01
RIESCHKE'S ALLEGED CRIME
DERED WHEN TRYING TO DE-
FRAUD HIS NEIGHBORS.

FRAUD HIS NElGHBORS.
The Body Said to Have Been Taken
By Father and Son and Hidden
Where Found.
The case of Martin Ludwig Rieschke,
who was mysteriously arrested In this
city short time ago and taken to Gal.
weston, has excited much interest in this
city. Tho man was arrested, 1t will be
remembered, on the application for his
extradition by the German CONSUL, at
Galveston, who charged that Ludwig
Risoh alias Martin Ludwig Kieschke, on
the 23rd OF April, 1883, murdered Franz
Schmalinsky, at 0reisel, In the district
Of Crossen, In the kingdom of Prussia
and Empire of Germany. The LIGHT
some time ago detailed the PECULIARLY
Of the arrest and yesterday announced
that Judge Sabin, after an exhaustive
enquiry and careful consideration of the
case, had decided to hold the accused
for extradition.
The text of Judge Sabin's decision is
now to hand, and from 1t the following
facts are gained:
In 1888 there were three mills on the
Guess river In Prussia. Ludwig Risoh.
the man known here as Martin Ludwig
Riesohke, was In the occupation Of the
middle mill, and Sohmalinsky had the
lower mill. Schmalinsky had been held
in good repute. but was then financially
embarrassed and sought to retrieve him
self by forgeries and fraudulent sale Of
his assets. In this manner IL Is asserted
that he realised from $4,000 to 10000,
and as he apprehended trouble from
creditors and Others he transferred or
sold his property to Ludwig Risch, and
the property so transferred was removed
to Risch's house, Schmalinsky, however,
retaining the cash. Among the furni-
ture removed was-a fir wood wardrobe,
then observed to be full Of clothes. On
the afternoon Of April 22d, Sohmalinsky
sent his money satohel by servant to
Risch and she deliver 1t to the latter,
but the servant was Ignorant OF its CON-
tents.
At 10 p. m, on the night OF the 22nd
Of April, Schmslinsky was talking with
his wife in her bed room, and Risch was
present. No mention was made by
Schmslinsky Of his intention Of leaving,
| and he and Risch retired together. This
was the last time he was seen alive by
his wife. Later on Schmslinsky and
Risoh were seen by Brunei talking Of
the transfer of property, and when near
the house Sohmalinsky disappeared.
Later on mysterious sounds were heard
In the room above which Brunei slept.
and the gargling, rafting sound as of
some one In the throes OF death was
heard. At o'clock next morning Risch
awakened Brunei for work and Risch
said that Schmalinsky had gone to Po-
land. To others he said that he had
gone to America and was a bad man to
10 ua hfa w Tho loffor ~ holiouoA
until July 3lst, 1884, when the
body Of Schmalinsky was found hid
den In q ''fir preserve" His head
of, four teeth knocked out and his
watch and chain missing. The skull
had been fractured by heavy instru-
ment, and science showed that the blow
had been struck In life, and would cause
death. The deceased was last seen at
Risch's house on the 22nd Of April. On
the "a or %. Risch ordered his son,
Louis and Brunei, to load 1.-The fir ward
robe" in his wagon and 1t was then
remarked to be very heavy. Risoh said
he was going to sell 1t at BentnitZ, and
he and Louis drove of leaving Brunei
behind. The road they went led to the
place where the body was found. Later
on they returned with the fir wardrobe,
but 1t was evident that they had not
uoou W ooubultL, lOl 1uo tlLuc VI nueCuOo
was far too short for them to accom-
plished the journey.
The inference Ia that Sohmalinsky had
been murdered and his remains were
conveyed In the fir wardrobe to the
place where they were afterwards dis
covered.
About seven days before the alleged
murder, Risch secured passage for him.
self, wife, four children, and bis adopt
ed daughter, paying $40 as security for
his passage. On the 10Th OF April, 1883,
Risch and his family left Germany, sail
ing for New York; he came thence to
San Antonio by rail and located here,
changing his name from Ludwig Risch
to Martin Ludwig Rieschke. He pur-
chased lot for $500, paying $500 cash,
and the balance on time: and subse-
quently, by the aid Of the alterations
Building and Loan association, he built
. house. He was we'll reputed. While
living here his son Otto, his wife, and
his daughter Anna, have died.
When Risoh left Griesel he left his son
Louis at his mill and his daughter aot-
ing "a Louis housekeeper stayed behind.
The daughter came here In Oct. 1888,
and shortly after his son Louis arrived.
Louis is now wanted for participation
In the crime, but at the present time his
whereabouts have not been traced.
The oiroumstantial evidence and sus-
picion 10 that Risch and his son Louis
murdered Sohmslinsky on the morning
OF the 23d of April, 1883, and that both
hid the remains where they were found
The Encouragement of the passage to
America indicates generalization and