The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1908-04-29
MAN IS MISSING
GIANT SW|NOLE
CHARGED
POLES sAYt,THEY WERE VICTIM
lied BY MAMMALIAN RAu-
TENeERe. STEAMSHIP AND
REAL ESTATE AGENT.

Wnal the ponce regard as gigan-
tic swindle, reaching into thousands
OF dollars. has been unearthed by the
mysterious disappearance from the
city OF Macmillan E. Rautenberg, a
Polish steamship agent, real estate
and insurance man with Offices at No.
S31 st. Aubin-ave. and No. 1910 juno
tion.ave.
Rautenberg appears TO have left
town Sunday night, saying he was 60
ing to Jackson, Mich. on business,
but efforts to locate him there have
met with failure. His offices, since
then. have been closed and Polish
clients who have called on business
sought in vain for admittance.
Some OF them reported the fact TO
the police OF Chene-st. station. Pre-
cinct Detectives Redmond and Repp
were assigned to the case and have
found thus far no less than seven
persons who claim to have given Rau'
tenberg large amounts of money with
out getting any returns. The money
was given largely for transmission 10
relatives In the old country, but 1t il
alleged that 1t never reached those
for whom 1t was intended.
In some instances the money was
given for the purpose OF paying the
passage of relatives from the old coun-
try 10 Detroit, but the relatives have
rot received the money as far AS the
senders have been able to learn.
Seven Victims Located.
From the seven alleged victims thus
far located by Redmond and Repp,
Rautenberg obtained total OF 1853.
The officers believe that many more
victims will come forward as soon
as the news of Rautenberg's disap-
pearance becomes generally known.
Joseph Kuk, No. $50 Willis-ave. east.
was one of Rautenberg's patrons. He
gave the latter $304.05 March Is to
bring his family from the old coun-
try. After waiting reasonable time
without receiving any response from
his wife, he called at the steamship
agents ct Aubin.ave. Office to ind
what the trouble was. Rautenberg
told him, Kuk alleges. that there was
no such postoffice as the one he had
named, and was told to call again
later. He called Sunday night and
found Rautenberg. in his office with a
big pile of money in front OF him, he
says. Rautenberg offered more ex-
cuses and once more asked Kuk, to
drop In later. The police believe that.
even at the moment, Rautenberg was
preparing to leave the city.
Anthony Klepszynski. No. 1011
Chene-st., gave Rautenberg $4S.l5
several weeks ago to bring his brother
to Detroit. When the latter failed to
arrive Klepszynski reported the fact
of the agent, and Rautenberg claimed
that the brother had reached New
York, but was deported because he
had sore eyes. The money that had
been paid for the ticket would be re-
turned. Klepszynski was Informed, but
he Is still waiting for It.
Others Who are Minus Money.
Others who claim to have given
Rautenberg money without getting
any returns, with the amounts put up
by each, are: Michael Clerk. No. 226
Canfeld-ave. east, $93.S6; Bruno NAL
kowski, No. 500 Willis-ave. east,
$129.25 In December; Michael Mikala,
No. has ST. Aubin-ave., $3.50 in De-
cember; Michael Pakula. No. $50 Can
field-ave. east. $154.70 Jan. 10; John
Wurparski. No. 65s Farpsworth-ave.
$500 Feb. Is. V1S
Mrs. Rautenberg called at police
headquarters Tuesday looking for ad-
vice as to what she should do with
some steamship tickets that arrived
after her husband left town. The par
ties who had purchased them are now
supposed to be In New York waiting
for the arrival OF the tickets before
embarking for the old country. Mrs.
Rautenberg had wired Jackson In an
effort to reach her husband, she said,
but was unable to get any answer.
AS Mrs. >Rautenberg does not know
where to reach the parties In New
York the latter will probably be
obliged to postpone their trip for the
present.
The Rautenbergs came into public
notice some four months ago through
domestic dificulties. The wife called
at police headquarters late at night
and reported that her husband had
driven her out of the house. Shortly
afterwards a suit for divorce was be-
gun by one of the parties and this Is
now pending In the circuit court.
Rautenberg cut a wide swath among
the foreigners Of both the east and
west sides, particularly the Poles,
from whom he drew most of his trade.
or rather imposing appearance. tall.
well-built, smooth talker and fault
less dresser, he was looked upon as
a man of great importance. In fact.
he was Familiarity known. particularly
on the west side, as Baron" Rauten-
berg. He IL Russian Jew by birth.
Two Warrants for Rautenberg.
With a small army of the "baron's"
alleged victims In tow, Precinct De-
tectives Redmond and Repp visited
the police court Wednesday noon, az.
ter consulting the prosecuting attor-
ney, and secured two warrants for
Rautenbcrg's arrest. Both charge him
with larceny by conversion. The COM
plainants are Joseph Kuk and Michael
winiarski, from whom he obtained
1904 and s6e. respectively.
Constable Schneider Is In posses
sion Of Rautenberg's main once At
No. 1910 Junction-ave.. by virtue Of an
attachment secured by Polish print
ing concern TO which Rautenberg was
Indebted for largo amount, II IL
said that other creditors are preparing
to attach the property in the ST. Au-
bin-ave. once during the afternoon.
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