The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-11-06
DIE SIDE BY SIDE
FROM ASPH|x|AT|0h..
Omaha Minister and His Mis-
sionary Assistant.
SUICIDE WAS SUSPECTED.
BIZ. an Examination of the Room Did
Mo, Garry Out This Theory-Both
Gas de, and Gas Stove Found
Open-Highly Respected.
zion OF the Room pid
fBy Associated Press.)

OMAHA, NEB., Nov. 6.-Clasped in each
others arms lying on the floor of the
pastors study OF the German Baptist
Church here early to-day. Oscar !serndes
janitor of the church, discovered the
dead bodies Of Rev. w. G. Rabe. pastor,
and Augusta Busch. missionary and
assistant to the pastor. Death had been
caused by asphyxiation The room was
filed with gas. a Jet and a burner of
sn1all stove being partly turned on. The
bodies were lying on the floor. the wo-
mans head being piilowed on cushions.
They evidently had lain in that position
Tor several hours.
There seems to be little doubt that
death was accidental. 1t is believed that
the pair had fallen asleep. the stove
flame blew out. and the gas escaped The
bodies We're rigid. and death evidently
occurred during the hours Of the pre-
sious evening. An inquest will be held
tomorrow.
AT THE CHURCH.
Miss Busch roomed at the home of
Janitor Ber,ldes and Mr.. Rabe at the
house OF Harry Derecksen Miss Busch
went to the church yesterday and re-
manned until . p. NJ. engaged In sewing.
She left for her home alone. and it is
thought She probably met Mr.. Rabe on
the way, and the two went to his study.
In the rear OF the church, where the
tragedy occurred. They had been good
friends. but no stronger feeling was ap-
parent to those who knew them. Mrs.
Berndes supposed the dead woman was
In her room until Miss Sclalkau. the
cook reported that Miss Busch had not
occupied her room during the night, and
a search was made. The janitor went
10 the pastors study and found the
door locked and the key on the inside.
and he detected the escaping gas. He
quickly summoned a police officer. and
the door was broken OPEN In the center
Of the very small study the bodies lay.
the heads few feet from the door. The
woman's face was covered with froth
and had begun to turn purple. One gas
Set, above the pastors table. was partly
turned OF. and from a stove gas was
slowly escaping.
SUICIDE SUSPECTED.
It was thought at first the two had
committed suicide, for on the table was
an open letter, a neatly arranged bou-
quet, Mr.. RABIES watch and glasses and
his hat Miss Busch's gloves and hand
kerchief. and. neatly folded upon the
back Of chair. was her jacket. The
letter was written IN German, and when
translated was found to be an answer
to another letter which Mr.. Rabe had re-
ceived. There was nothing in it to indi-
cate that the two had intended taking
1neir lives.
Mr.. Rabe was - years old. and came
to Omaha from Buffalo. NY. when he
wa. chosen pastor of the German Baptist
Church. In that State he left a wife.
who is ATTENDING a missionary school.
and one son, Carl w. He was held in
high esteem by his congregation.
MISS Busch was 81 years old. and had
been missionary in Omaha for the last
Ave years. She came here from Chicago.
sent by the Church Missionary School.
She. too. was held in high esteem and
was very popular.