Omaha daily bee., 1902-11-07
DUE TORABE ESCARELESSNESS
Dual Asphy1iation is So Considered by
0orsner'I Jary.
COMPROMISING LETTERS ARE FOUND
Investiantion Of Pastors Effects In
wolves women ParIshioners I'm
Buffalo and EIsewhere-Wit-
ncsses Break Down.

Death was caused by accidental asphyxi-
alton due 70 their own careiessness," was
the verdict OF the coroner's jury in the
inquest held yesterday afternoon over the
bodies Of Rev. William c. Rabo and Miss
Augusta Busch, pastor and missionary,
found dead together In the formers study
in the German Baptist church Wednesday
morning.
Present at the inquest was crowd OF
men and women that completely filled the
reception room, crowded back into the
room occupied by the jury and roroner
and reached beyond the range of the voices
OF the witnesses.
The testimony introduced was a review
OF facts published the afternoon the
bodies were found. Oscar Berndes, who
first discovered the bodies, and Ofilcer
Cullen and Detective Hei;feld, who made an
examination of the room described to the
jury the position Of the two keys of the
gas Jet and gave as their opinion that in
turning of one jet the other had been
turned on.
other witnesses told of the friendly re-
lations existing between Miss Busch aud
REV. Rabe. but none of them had ever sus-
pected that between the two there had
been any improper relations. All testi
fed to the high esteem in which both par
ties were held by the church members and
the good each had done the church.
Mrs. schlakau, at whose house Rev. Rabe
roomed. told Of the latters gentlemanly
conduct around the house and Of his
Studlous and religious habits. He was
good man" said Mrs. Schlakau, "and was
kind TO the sick and the poor. He and
Miss Busch were frequently together l
suppose to assist each other in their work.
He was thoughtful of the comforts and
pleasures OF others and at all times was
Christian gentleman. He frequently
spoke of his wife and son and always ten
derby. He often wrote to her and l am
sure their married life has been happy"
The youngest Mr.. Dirksen, who roomed al
the same house with Rev. Rabe, wept
in telling the jury what an exemplary man
he had thought the pastor. 81 loved him
as / would my own father" sobbed the
young man, "and l have always had the
greatest respect and admiration for Miss
Busch. She was a kind, Christian woman
and in all the church none stood higher"
Trustee Hoffman testified to the good rep
utatiou OF both the dead people and to
tho high regard the church members had
for them.
Letters From other Women Found.
An investigation OF the effects OF the
dead preacher by the officials in the pres
once Of a number of the members OF his
church disclosed that Rev. Rabe had
apparently worked upon women's hearts. In
his trunk was a number of letters from
women, members Of his church at Buffalo
aud other places, implying relations be-
tween them and the pastor other than
sanctioned by his teachings. One written
from Buffalo begged the preacher to return
thore, as the writer whose name is sup
dressed by the coroner. was lonesome.
others told of the love the writers had for
the preacher.
Coroner Bradley received a telegram yes
-erday morning from Mrs. Rabe stating
hat she would leave Buffalo for Omaha
today The telegram was sent from Buff
falo. No arrangements for the funeral will
ne made until her arrival. Relatives OF
Miss Busch have not been located and no
arrangements for her funeral have been
made.
His Career in Buffalo.
A special dispatch to The Bee from Buff
falo, N. Y. from which point Rev. Rabe
came to Omaha, says he was one OF the
best known Baptist clergymen who ever
on1ciated in that city aud at one time was
an officer OF the synod. He left Buffalo
aiHost year ago, having made one short
visit there since that time to see his wife
and son.
Rev. Rabs was a graduate OF the Ger.
man department of the Rochester Baptist
Theological seminary. After filing pulpits
in few small German Baptist churches in
western New York. he was called to the
pastorate OF the Buffalo Second German
Baptist church. This was about fifteen
years ago. He severed his connection with
this church and left Buffalo for a few
years. During his stay in Buffalo he
was married to the daughter of one oi
his local parishioners, who kept a grocery
store. After an absence from Buffalo Of
about six years he was recalled to thC
pastorate Of the Second German Baptist
church. The date OF the recall was 1898
The clergyman, with his wife and son
resided at SO5 Emslie street. Buffalo, anC
were we'll beloved by the church member
ship Mrs. Rabe was active in ohurcl
efforts and is even now studying for mis-
sionary work.
Rev. George Whitman. dean of the Bap
list glergymen OF Buffalo. said WEDNESDAY
night that he knew Rabe WE'LL that he wa
man Of cheerful disposition, the last maj
in the world TO commit suicide. He sal,
that Rabe had always horne a good repu
tation aud was regarded as a successful
clergyman.