The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-11-06
Pastor and Female Mission
ary Found LifeIess.
DIED BY ASPHYxlATION
Discovered in the Pastors Study Locked in
Each Others Arms---liyes Of Outward
Seeming End in Death Of
Shame.
Shame,
(By the Associated Press.) J

Omaha Neb.. Nov. 5.--Clasped in each
others arms, lying on the floor of the
pastors study, Of the German Baptist
church, here, early today, Oscar Berndes.
janitor of the church, discovered the
dead bodies of Rev. w. c. Rabe. pastor.
and Augusta Busch, a missionary and
assistant to the pastor Death had been
caused by asphyxiation The room was
filled with gas, jet and a burner of a
small stove being partly turned on.
The bodies We're lying on the floor,
the woman's head being pillowed 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 fame blew out, and the
gas. escaped. The bodies We're rigid and
death evidently occurred during the
hours of the previous evening An in
quest will be held tomorrow
Miss Busch roomed at the home of
Janitor Berndes, and Mr.. Rabe at the
house of Harry Dirkson. Miss Busch
went to the Dirkson home yesterday
morning, and remained there until
o'clock in the evening, engaged in sew
ing. She left for her home alone and it
is thought probable that she met Mr.
Rabe on her way and that the two went
to his study in the rear of he church.
where the tragedy occurred. They had
been coed friends, but no stronger feel
ing was apparent to those who knew
them. Mrs. Berndes supposed the dead
woman was in her room until Miss
Schalkan, housekeeper for Mr. Rabe, re-
ported that heahad not been at home dur
ing the night. Then it was discovered
that Miss Busch had not occupied her
room, and a 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 de-
tected the escaping gas. Quickly he
summoned a police officer and the door
was broken open.
In the center of the very small study
the bodies lay, the heads a few feet
from the door, The woman's face was
covered with froth and had begun to
turn purple. One gas jet above the
pastors table was partly turned off and
from a stove gas was slowly escaping.
1t was thought at first the two lad
committed suicide, for on the table was
an open letter neatly arranged bou-
quet, Mr.. habes watch and glasses, and
his hat, Miss Busch's gloves and hand
kercbief, and neatly folded upon the
back of a 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
received There was nothing in it %
indicate that the two had intended TAX
ing their lives.
Mr.. Rabe was "a years Of age and canR
to Omaha from Buffalo n r., when III
was chosen pastor Of the German Bap
tist church. III that State he left a wife
who is attending missionary schoOl
and one son. Carl W. He was held
high esteem by his congregation.
Miss Busch was 81 years of age, Al
had been missionary in Omaha for
last five years. She came here fr
Chicago, sent by the church missionaI
school She, too. was held in hig
esteem a-d was very popular.