The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1895-10-05
ABDUCTED BY 4 PRIEST
Maud steidel Of St. Joseph Found
in Chicago,


Chicago. Oct. MAUD Ste.del sup
posed to have been abducted from st.
Joseph, Mo-. by Father Dominick Wag-
ner of ST. Mary's church, in that city.
was found in Chicago last hight by de-
ItectiNes. h was taken to the Harri-
son street annex, II Adolph Elandt,
q brotherinlaw of the priest, is under
arrest charged with completely in the
abduction. He was arrested last night
At his home, t0l4 Diversey street. where
the girl has been concealed.
The girl was traced by detectives by
means Of IL shipment of furniture the
priest is said. to have made to this city
Under an assumed name Mss Steidel
says she came here Two weeks ago IN
care of Elandt. The kidnapping of Miss
steidel created a furore in st. Joseph
two weeks ago. The Whereabouts Of the
girl was a mystery and ii was only last
week hat Father Wagner was sus-
pacted. Last "Wednesday night a mol
of friends of the girls family gathered
about the parish house and threatened
to lynch the priest. He escaped by a
back door, however. Miss Steidel is a
rather handsome young woman, and
bitterly repents her actions.
The Chicago police and Alex Podvant.
- ~ ~ ~ AoieNA
have any doubt as sne guilt Of Father
Wagner. The girl herself admitted that
improper relations existed between her
and the priest and that 1t was all ar
ranged for her to come here and live
with him in furnished rooms which
Were TO a V been fitted up with the
priests own household effects. shipped
here for that purpose. All this she told
in the police our this morning while
on the witness stand in the case of
Adolph Elandt. Wagner's brotherlnlaw,
who was charged on the docket with
abduction. Elandt claims to have been
the priests dupe. He was held in $4, 900
bond to appear al the continuance set
for October II. 1t will probably not
come off here. however. as Elandt
promised to go to st. Joseph. Mo. his
afternoon with the girls incl ana ap-
pear against the priest. An assurance
was given him that he would he permit
ted to turn states evidence and thus
save himself, before he promised to go.
The following telegram, found in
Elandt's possession, is believed 10 have
been Wagner's summons 10 come after
the girl:
st. Joseph. Mo. Sept. 2o.-Come at
once or lose money and claim.
tSigned, j. b. SPIRIT, Attorney.
The police believe that Spirit is one
Of Wagner's aliases. He is known to
have had at least one other. AT his
hearing in court, Elandt was examined
by Inspector Shea in the latter's pri-
vate office. There he admitted having
received the furniture. He signed tie
name of his employer. A. l.. Luetgert,
in order to get ii. as it was sent to
Luetgert.
The girl did nor seem to be in the
least embarrassed when questioned
about the matter, but shielded the
priest in every way possible, while
openly admitting her relations with
him. Wagner. according to Elandt's
story. gave her $40 tor expenses when
she started and gave him $40. The girl
is the only child OF a widow Alex. Pod
want, her only other living relative.
said this morning, in discussing the
case: II am going to see that this
priest is punished to the full extent of
the law. We could have him hanged
II we wished. The people are in a high
state of excitement over the affair. The
age Of consent in Missouri is Is years.
and he can be charged with rape as we'll
as abduction. I know of no opportunity
he had of meeting the girl alone except
at confessional
The girl will leave with her uncle
and landt for st. Joseph as o as
Elandt can complete the arrangements
for his departure. Luetsert went on
leave this afternoon.