The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1901-05-02
HOW HE GOT THE CHILDREN

HOW HE GOT THE CHILDREN
Drink at the Bottom Of VIM. Rosen-
fields Crime.
William Rosenfeld, who is now known
to have committed one of the most grue-
some crimes in the history of the twin
cities, was 35 years old. His love for
drink is the cause of all his troubles end
ing in an awful crime. 1t was under a
drunken impulse probably, that he slew
his offspring, Though the cold-blooded
way in which h brought about their
deaths is ample justification for doubt as
to his sanity. For two months Rosenheld
plotted to secure possession of his chill
dren. To his fellow-workers in Schroe-
der's livery barn, st. Peter and Seventh
streets, St. Paul, he kept saying:
"I'll get even with them yet
He brooded over his family troubles, but
not once did he reveal any impulse to put
himself or his children out of the world.
His Wife Left Him.
Three months ago Rosenfeld and his
wife parted. They were then living at the
corner of Duke and West Seventh streets,
st. Paul. For some time it had been a
struggle on the part of Mrs. Rosenfeld to
keep her children supplied with food.
Rosenfeld was working at Schroeder's
livery SIdDl6, CdTluS CfOly
Monday evening he received his pay and
forthwith spent most of it for liquor. Mrs.
Rosenfeld finally concluded to change her
mode of life. She made arrangements
with her sister, Mrs. Charles Bigford Of
Minneapolis, to care for the children, un-
til she could make other provisions for
them.
The parting was not marked by any
poisterous demonstration on the part OF
Rosenfeld. His neighbors testify that
J there was little noise or clamor in the
Rosenfeld family and that the man and
his wife seemed to get along well to-
gether. Mrs. Rosenfeld took the chill
dren, Joseph, William and Mary, to Min
neapolis. Samuel, the baby, by her con-
sent was taken to the home Of Mrs. ".
]. Bowlin, 533 L'Orient street. Mrs.
Bowlin was friend Of the family, and
had acted as godmother to the christen-
ing of Samuel Rosenfield was strongly
attached to his children. Every now and
then he secured rig at the livery stable
and took Samuel for drive. With him
he always brought little brindle pup,
of which Samuel was very fond.
A Reconciliation.
Finally Rosenfeld must have concluded
to overcome his love Of drink. 1t appears
that an understanding had been reached
that on Tuesday, April 2S, Mrs. Rosen-
field was to return with the children, and
that together the two would endeavor to
start their married life anew. What
passed between Mrs. Rosenfield and her
husband in detail she does not relate.
Whether he called upon her on the date
fixed for their reunion is not known
The next day, however, Wednesday,
April "a, Rosenfeld demanded of his wife
that she come to live with him again.
Rosen1eld's movements on Wednesday,
- 80 49, .<~4
He was around the livery stable some
of the time. He had a little money and
was drinking.
In the evening, about 7:30, he was at
the livery again, and asked the keeper
for a rig, stating that he wanted to take
Samuel for drive.
The only horse not in use was lame, and
the keeper told Rosenfeld that he might
get a rig at the other stable, Fourth
street, between st. Peter and Wabasha
streets. Roenfeld went to this barn and
repeated his request for a rig. At the
same time he demanded that Fred Schro-
der, the proprietor, give him So due for
his services since Monday, his last pay
day.
The payment would have been out of
order and, furthermore, Rosenfield was
under the influence of liquor. The money
was refused and Rosenfeld grew angry.
He rushed for whifietree hanging in
the stable.
The men in the barn caught and elected
him from the stable.
Gets Rig.
Next he went to the livery stable of T.
J. Swartz Wacouta and Eighth streets.
He was acquainted with the proprietor
and employees of the place, having fire.
quently worked there. His request for
the use of a rig was granted. Though he
seemed under the influence OF liquor, it
appeared that he had full control Of
himself and was inclined to be more quiet
than usual
1t was $3.50 when he reached the home
Of Mrs. w. j. Bowlin. Samuel, the baby,
was asleep for the night, but Rosenfeld
asked that it be awakened and dressed.
He said he wanted to take the child to
the home of his sister, Mrs. Charles Os-
wald 1927 Lyndale avenue N, Mime
apolis
The idea of taking the child out at that
hour of the night did not appeal to Mrs.
Bowlin, but Rosenfeld was persistent
The man seemed perfectly sane and Mr.
and Mrs Bowlin both declare that he did
not appear to be under the influence OF
liouor. While Mrs. Bowlin was dressing
the child Rosenfeld talked with Mr.. Bow
lin. They conversed chiefly about work
on the street and the possibility OF Rosen-
theld securing a posiIion on euo
force.
AT the Badeaus'.
It was at the home of Mrs. Charles
Badeau that Rosenfeld next appeared
He knew that his wife was there nursing
Mrs. Badeau, her sister. Mrs. Badeau was
diving. Her condition was so grave that
she died early the next day. Rosenfield
called his wife from the bedside OF the
dying woman and demanded that she keep
her promise to come back to him.
Mrs. Rosenfeld explained the serious
condition of Mrs. Badeau and said that
she could not leave. Rosenfield left, dis
satisfied but even to his wife, he did not
give the slightest Inclination of the crime
he must have intended
Rosenfield drove to the home of Mrs.
Frank Bigford the other sister OF Mrs.
Rosenfeld, where the children were stop