The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-09-15
CAPTURED IN KANSAS.
Chicago Murderer Housed by
an Ellsworth County Uncle.

Chicago, Sept. 15-Wanted by the po-
lice for murder, John Schlecta II years
old, who eluded the vigilance of the po-
lice for two weeks, was arrested in a
small Kansas town last Friday In the
custody of Detective King he was re-
turned to Chicago yesterday afternoon
and turned over to Captain Wheeler of
the Maxwell street district. The po-
lice say they have positive proof he is
guilty.
The night of August %. Louis Rosen-
bloom, who earned a living by teaching
Hebrew to the children of the poor
people of the southwest portion of the
city, was kicked to death in front of
the home of Schlecta- From what the
police were able to learn from the resi-
dents of the locality, Rosenbloom, who
was 60 years old, had just emerged
from the house Of one of his pupils
when his attention was attracted by
Schlecta, who was beating a boy much
smaller than himself and several years
younger. The aged teacher attempted
to stop Schlecta- He succeeded in lib
Grating the smaller boy from his pre-
dicament, but was Immediately assault
ed by SchIecta-
1T is a wonder an old fellow like you
can't mind his business" Schlecta is
reported to have said as he kicked his
PROSTATE victim.
In spite of the old mans cries for help
his young assailant is said to have beat
him repeatedly. When the neighbors
interfered Rosenbloom was unconscious
and died soon after being taken to the
county hospital His head and face
were so battered and bruised it was
with difficulty his relatives recognized
the body as it lay in the mOrgue. When
the police of Maxwell street station
satisfied themselves of the fact sur
rounding the murder they at once set
out to arrest Schlecta at the home of
his parents The people of the district
are of the ignorant class and all in
quiries of the officers were met with the
answer that the young man had not
been seen in the neighborhood since
the assault.
His intimate companions were closely
questioned and his customary haunts
visited, but no trace of him could be
found. This conduct on his part and
that Of his friends strengthened Cap
tain Wheeler in his belief that he was
the guilty party and he refreshed his
memory on the history of the family.
The captain recalled that uncle of
the accused murderer had been ar
rested in Sioux City, Iowa, by an officer
of the Maxwell street station several
years ago for an offense committed in
Chicago.
The search in the neighborhood of
the crime having resulted in nothing
Captain Wheeler came to the conclusion
that Schlecta had left the city. It was
known he had an uncle living in Wilson,
Kan, and Detective King was sent
there. He arrived in the Kansas town
after dark and at once hired buggy
to carry him to the home OF the uncle,
which was situated several miles from
the railroad station When he an
nounced the nature of his mission
Schlecta's uncle informed him that ne
knew nothing about his relative and
had not seen him for several years
King insisted that a search be made.
Schlecta's uncle finally pointed out the
room in which he was sleeping and
consented to have him brought back to
Chicago.
crime His father and brother had
been in custody ever since the murder,
but they persistently refused to dlVulge
the whereabouts of their relative.