The Batesburg advocate. [volume] (Batesburg, S.C.) 1901-1911, 1902-11-12
DIED TOGETHER.
A Shocking Tragedy and Revela-
tion in 0maho, Neb.
A PREACHER AND A MISSIONARY
Found i'm Each Others Arms Cola in
Death In the Preachers Study
i'm Rear ofthe Church.

A most shocking tragedy was enact
ed in Omaho, Nebraska, on Tuesday
night OF last week. ClaSped in each
others arms, lying on the floor of the
pastors study i'm the German BAPTIST
Church early Wednesday, Oscar Bern
des, janitor of the church, discovered
the dead bodies of the Rev. W. O.
Rabe, pastor, and Augusta Busch, Il
missionary and assistant to the pas
tor. Death had been caused 10y as
phyXiation. The room was filled with
gas, a jet and a burner OF small
stove being partly turned on. The
bodies were lying on the floor, the wo-
mans head being pillowcd ON some
cushions. They evidently had lain in
that position for 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 were rigid and death evil
IDENTIFY occurred during the early hours
OF the previous evening.
Miss Busch roOmcd at the home of
Janitor BelndcS and Mr.. Rabc at the
home OF Harry DirkScn. Miss Busch
"ShO w bil' Al NSIll ilplllC ONNlItNldN
morning and remained there until
about O'Clock in the evening. engag-
ed in sewing. She left for her home
alone and it is thought probable that
she met Mr.. Rabc ON her way and
that the two went to his study i'm the
rear Of the church, where the tragedy
occurred. They had been good friends,
but no stronger feeling was apparent
to those who knew them.
Mrs. BerndcS supposed the dead wO-
man was in her room until Miss Schal-
ker, houSekeepcr for Mr.. Rabc. rcpor-
ted that he had not been at home
during the night. Then it was dis
covered that Miss Busch had not uc-
cupied her room and search was
made for them this morning. The
janitor went to the pastors study and
found the door locked and the key ON
the inside and he detected the cscap-
ing gas. Quickly he summoned po-
lice officer and the door was broken
open.
In the centre of the very small study
the bodies lay, the heads Il few feet
from the doors. The womanS face
was covered With fruth and had begun
to turn purple. One gas jet above the
pastors table was partly turned of
and from a stove gas was slowly cS-
Gaping.
1t was thought ut first that the two
had committed suicide. for ON the tn
BILE was an open letter a neatly ar
ranged bouquet Mr. Rabies watch
and glasses and his hat, Miss Busch'S
gloves and handkerchief and folded
upon the back of chair was her lack
ct. The letter was written in German
and when translated was found to he
an answer To another letter which Mr.
Rabe had received. There was moth
ing in it to indicate that the two had
intended taking their lives
MIR. Rabe was 81 years of age and
came TO Omaha from Buffalo. y. y,
when he was chosen pastor OF the Ger
man Baptist Church. In that State
he left wife who is attending mis-
sionary school, and one son. He was
held in high esteem 10y his congrega-
tion.
Miss Busch was 81 years Of age and
had been a missionary in Omaha for
the last five years. She came here
from Chicago, sent 10y the Church
Missionary School. She, too, was held
in high esteem and was very popular.