The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-04-17

"ilnous hesitation. Finally he trlpped
ana admitted that he saw Radloff in the
city Friday. The officers concluded to
hoid him on suspicion and searched his
person. A receipt for a registered letter
mailed at Seattle on the 18th and
addressed to Radloff's wife, who
was IN Tacoma, or at Lake Bay near that
city, came first. Detective Cudihee said:
How do you account for this? Thought
you said you did not see Radlof in the
city yesterday"
kostrauch did not lose his self-posses-
sion in the least. He bIushed for an in
slant and then said: II was in error; I
had not thought of it."
How did you come in possession of this
receipt"
His reply was that Radloff had gwen it
to him, thinking that he might possibly
go to Tacoma or give it to his wife.
Among other things was a verse of
poetry signed by Mrs. Jennie Radloff, ex-
pressive of love. Kostrauch laughed and
replied that that was a note from Mrs.
Radloff to her husband, but he found it on
the floor and kept it. A certificate of 100
shares, value 81 each, in the Snoqualmie
Morning Star Mining and Smelling Com
pany, made to William Radloff and signed
by President John G. Myers, November 1,
1880, was in one pocket. In answer to
questions he said that fellow gave it to
him.
For how much 2" was asked.
Five dollars a SHARE
"What! $500 for it?"
''No; $40 for the certificate. The man
told me to say paid IS share"
Kostrauch was questioned closely con-
corning where he was Friday night and
replied that he was down town at O'Clock
but went home at IL and retired for the
night, 1t was also discovered that Kos
trauch rented lock box No. 1,269 under the
name of Fred N. Foster. He admitted
that he used the name sometimes.
At the conclusion of the investigation
Kostrauch was placed under arrest on
suspicion of being party to the killing of
William Radloff.
Whatever connection the suspected man
may have with the tragedy, 1t is said that
he displayed great grief when first in
formed of the death of his friend. Stew
art, who discovered the ruins and charred
remains. came to the city at
once and went to Pruessing's bakery,
where he knew Radlof had strong friends
who would be anxious to learn about
his death. He found Albert Kadloff there
and, on hearing the terrible news, the
latter went to find Kostrauch. A little
later they returned together and held an
excited discussion in the corner. Both
cried, and to all appearances the friend
was as deeply grieved as the brother.
After the first flood of tears was
stopped they went to Bonney
d. Stewards to await the arrival of Coroner
Horton.
While there Albert came to the conclu-
sion that he would start for Tacoma and
inform Mrs. Radloff, who was living with
her parents, of the tragic death of her
husband. Albert Radloff was seen
a short time before he started and, while
grief was plainly visible in his counter
ance, his words did not indicate that he
suspected or had any idea that his
brothers. death was surrounded by deep
mystery.
William Radloff was born of a respecta-
able family in Mecklenburg, Germany, in
the year 1866. At the age of 20 years he
came to the United States in company
with his brother Albert and located in
Seattle. William, who was baker by trade,
found employment in the bakery of
Adolph Krug, now city treasurer. For
four years he drove a wagon, and
then by a change in the firm
became partner with Mr.. Krug.
After the great fire the bakery was
moved to North Seattle, and in the fall of
1889 Radlof, who was always talking about
ranching, sold out his interest in the
bakery to Mr.. Krug for $500 in cash.
While in business he bought sixty
foot lot on Sixth street, near Olive street.
He disposed of twenty feet on the side
next the Bowers hotel and bought ten feet
on the other. By these transactions he
made some money and erected
the Radloff block. He sold
this property for about $1,000.
He also purchased three lots in Tacoma,
the value of which is not known. After
retiring from business he bought five
acre tract four miles north of Woodland
mark. built a house on it, cleared 1t and
started chicken ranch. His wife, whose
maiden name was Virginia Crevitson, and
TO whom he was married about two and
one-half years ago, lived part OF
the time at the ranch and the rest
of the time in Tacoma with her parents.
Two weeks ago she left the ranch, taking
with her her 1S-month-old baby, for visit
TO her parents in Tacoma. She stopped
two nights at the Idaho block on Pike
street and spent the day dri wing about the
citv. Her husband was satisfied to re-
main on the ranch, taking care of his
fancy poultry and making preparations
for his trip to Germany.
II is said that last winter Mrs. RadloH
went to fortune-teller, who told her that
her husband would not live year. She
told him of this, and he immedi-
ately took out life insurance. On
GOOD authority it has been stated
that his life was insured for $4,000,
divided AS follows: Mutual Life, of New
York, $4,000: Equitable, of New York,
500 900: New York Life, $4,000. The
agents of the Mutual deny that they in
.nred him; the Equitable agents
admit that he applied, but say
thew did not accept him, while
the New York Life agents say that he was
insured by them one month ago for 80
on0 He passed a first-class examination,
and on being asked if he was able to make
the payments, replied that he had an in
come from Germany every three months
sufficient to pay the premium.
Louis Kostranch, the suspect, claims to
he a strong friend of the dead man. lie
lived for some time with Radloff on his
ranch. and. while in the city. has been in
innate with Albert Radlof. lie Is
a small man, has ROSY cheeks, chin
heard and bright black eyes, is well edu-
Gated and speaks good English. his man
l.