The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-04-18
IN DEEP MYSTERY.
Circumstances of the Death of
Radloff Unexplained.
A THEORY OF FRAUD STARTED.
His Recent Heavy Life Insurance Arouses
Suspicion-Work of the Police
Inquest Today.

The mystery surrounding William Rad
lofts death still remains unsolved, al
though Chief of Police Jackson and De
tectlve Cudihee are investigating each and
every clue that may throw more light on
the case. Yesterday morning they went
to the scene of the tragedy and made
thorough search for any clue that might
have been missed the day previous.
The ashes were raked over carefully and
some earthenware, brass curtain trim
mings and few other trinkets were found.
none OF which had been affected by the
heat. The special object of the search
was the gold watch, chain and revolver
which Radloff always carried upon
his person, but not the slightest
trace of anything that resembled
gold, or object that might have been part
of revolver was discovered. Had these
valuables been on the person of the man
burned it is presumable that they would
have been found on or about the mattress
upon which the skeleton lay. That Trey
would have been near the remains is made
more than theoretical by the fact that
upon one of the thigh bones was a frag-
ment of cloth. This fragment, though
no: large, proves beyond a reasonable
doubt that the person who was laid upon
the mattress had on portion of his CLOTH
ing. This fragment of cloth was examined
very closely by Coroner Horton and the
neighbors present, some of whom were
confident that it was like that worn by
Radlof
This piece of cloth is about all that has
been discovered, other than the general
facts which would naturally lead to the
conclusion that the bones were those of
the occupant of the house, tending to show
that it was Radloff who was burned. An
alternative theory, which doubts that
Radloff was burned, is foun ded on the
fact that he had his life insured not more
than month ago for $1,000. The large
amount. and the peculiar circumstances
surrounding the case, have led very natur-
ally to the opinion that the sup
posed murder might be scheme
to swindle the insurance companies. 1t
has been definitely settled that Radloff
was insured in the Mutual Life Insurance
Company of New York for $4,000 This
policy was the first taken out,
and was issued about a month ago
The physician g examination showed the
applicant to be in first-class physical con-
dition. F. L. Stinson, general agent of
and made personal examination into the
case as he found it. In an interview last
evening he said that he considered the
case very mysterious, but it was the rule
OF his company never to contest a claim
unless there were the strongest reasons for
suspicion of intent to defraud. He looked
for developments at the inquest, which
will be held this afternoon.
The police traced Radloff from the time
he left Seattle until he started from Stew
arts ranch toward his home. Radloff was
unquestionably in Seattle and in company
with Louis Kostrauch little before IL
O'Clock Friday morning. He took the IL
O'Clock car for Fremont, went on to Stew
arts house, ate dinner and then went
home. Of all the neighbors who have
talked none saw him after he went home.
A Swede, however, claims to have heard q
shot about IL O'Clock at night in the direc-
ton of Radlof7s house.
Louis kosrauch, the suspect, is an Aus
trian by birth, and is about 81 years old.
He has certificate of graduation from
some foreign school, and also his passport.
He has been in the country for consid-
cradle length Of time, but according to re-
port does not love to work. Those who
knew Radloff say that he kept Kostrauch
out of charity. On the other hand, Kost-
rauch claims $50 back wages.
Mrs. Radloff, who was at Lake Bav
with her parents when the tragedy occur
red, has been notified, and is expected in
the city at any moment.
Coroner Horton will hold an inquest to-
day.